The Bougainville Copper Foundation (BCF) has received 319 applications for scholarships to assist with the education of Bougainvillean students in 2016.
BCF is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that has been funded by Bougainville Copper Limited since its inception and continues to be dependent on the support of the company.
Since 1997, BCF has focused on educational opportunities for Bougainvilleans and this has been achieved with the provision of scholarships to over 1,000 students
Applications for the 2016 BCF scholarships have closed and successful applicants will be advised in late January.
In 2015, 66 tertiary students sponsored by BCF have completed their final year of study.
Once they complete their studies, many scholarship holders intend to return home to Bougainville to assist the development of the region.
Inzamam Masatt is a fourth year medical student at the University of Papua New Guinea and wants to return to Bougainville as a doctor.
“At the moment I have two areas of interest, one is to do emergency medicine and the other is to be a surgeon,” said Mr Masatt, who comes from Novah village in North Bougainville.
“2016 will be my final year studying for the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and then I plan to do my residency in Bougainville.”
As part of his medical experience Inzamam has worked with the Team Bougainville medical team at the 2014 PNG Games in Lae and was selected as part of the volunteer medical team at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
“I maintain very close connections with Bougainville; I travel there every holiday and did so this Christmas as well,” Mr Masatt continued.
In 2015, BCF supported the studies of 118 tertiary students based in many different universities and institutions throughout Papua New Guinea.
Between them the students covered a wide range of disciplines including science, environmental studies (including fishing and maritime), engineering, education, economics, medicine, tourism and some vocational training.
The Foundation is proud of its achievements and those of its former students who are contributing to the development of Bougainville.