Victorias Milling Company Foundation Inc. recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement with the Central Philippines State University to offer scholarships for deserving students taking up sugar technology courses, as their contribution to ensure the sustainability of the sugar industry.
The MOA, signed by VMC President Linley Retirado and CPSU President Aladino Moraca, ensures that VMC’s Miguel Ossorio Scholarship Grant Program will provide financial assistance to qualified second year students enrolled in Sugar Technology courses offered by CPSU in their Kabankalan Campus, up until they graduate, provided the scholars maintain the required grades as specified in the scholarship program guidelines.
“As one of the biggest sugar mills in the country, this is our contribution to ensure that the sugar industry remains sustainable by nurturing the skills and talents of our youth in the field of sugar technology and equipping them with proper knowledge and resources that will benefit our industry,” Retirado said in a statement issued by VMC.
We believe CPSU can provide theoretical and practical knowledge about the workings of the sugar industry including developmental research on by-products of sugarcane because “there is more to sugarcane than just sugar. Its waste products can be used to produce renewable energy which VMC is already doing as part of our mission to help address environmental concerns as well,” Retirado added.
Moraca on the other hand said their Sugar Technology course has been granted an AACCUP Level III Accreditation and this timely scholarship offering from VMC will encourage students to pursue their interest in this field which will be a major contribution to the industry, particularly in Negros Occidental which remains as the major producer of sugar in our country.
Retirado added that “providing this kind of support for sugar technology will hopefully progress our goals towards achieving mill efficiency and self-reliance for the industry.”
The scholarship program covers a stipend per semester to cover for board and lodging and transportation of the scholar while in college, plus allowance for books and clothing, all paid directly to the scholars. Moreover, as an added incentive, scholars who will graduate with exemplary academic achievements will also get financial gifts for summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude.*
