SOPB presents over RM13,000 to students under ‘Young Achievers Award’ project

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The team from SOPB, led by Wong (seated, fourth right), with students under the group’s YAA and SAP programmes.

MIRI: One-hundred-four students have received grants totalling RM13,820 from Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd (SOPB) under its ‘Young Achievers Award’ (YAA).

The project, which is part of the group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, aims at nurturing in local youngsters the drive towards academic excellence.

It honours students who have achieved outstanding results in public examinations such as UPSR, PT3, SPM and STPM through the award of cash incentives and certificates of recognition.

SOPB group plantation controller Chua Kian Hong, in his opening speech at the presentation held at SOPB Lambir Academy Training Centre recently, said the group’s focus went beyond the oil palm plantation business, adding that it strove to ‘grow together with the community’ through various CSR activities.

“The YAA and our ‘Student Adoption Programme’ (SAP) are our ways to emphasise the importance of education, as well as to encourage students to dream towards a better future.

“Hardship must never be a hindrance for students to continue their studies, in order to attain better lives for themselves and their families,” he said, adding that healthcare programmes such as its ‘Eye Vision’ project and blood donation drives were also part of its CSR.

On its SAP, SOPB presented an allocation worth RM45, 536 to help students from low income families, Chua said.

He explained: “SAP is part of our efforts in providing assistance for the educational needs to underprivileged children, as well as primary and secondary students in the forms of cash, school bags and stationery items.”

Chua accompanied SOPB group chief executive officer Paul Wong Hee Kwong to present YAAs and SAP goodies to students from SK Kelapa Sawit No 1 and No 4, SJKC Chee Mung, SK Beliau Isa, SK Batu Telingai, SK Beluru Central, SMK Luar Bandar, SMK Subis, SMK Suai and SMK Bakong. Annually, the group’s CSR involves 43 primary and secondary schools in seven regions across the state.

Teams from SOPB Corporate Communications Unit have been travelling across different regions – namely Marudi, Sebauh, Tatau, Belaga and Mukah – for the satellite handovers of the YAAs and SAPs, since March this year.

“Over the years, the group has demonstrated its steadfast CSR commitment and will continue to do so in the future, given the benefits and reach that it brings to the group and local communities,” Chua said.