Another 5 awarded prestigious Barclays-FG Mogae Scholarships

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday December 15, 2010 00:00

Speaking at a ceremony to announce the latest beneficiaries at the Gaborone Sun last Friday, former president Festus Mogae said the occasion marked the third year of the existence of the post-graduate scholarship fund that had already been benefited 15 students.

The fund was initiated in 2008 by Barclays Bank Botswana and Mogae, who is its Chairman. He described the occasion as 'an important milestone' in the commitment of the scholarship fund to empower young people.

'It is also a recognition of Barclays Bank  Botswana's efforts of contributing to the development of education by assisting our youth to develop their talent and realise their dreams,' Mogae said.

He said Barclays Bank had pledged P1.5 million towards the fund as its contribution to educating and developing 25 exceptional Batswana who are unable to finance their education.

Barclays had found it necessary to assist young people to attain their educational goals and professional objectives by giving them hope for the future and a better life. Every year, Barclays recognises and rewards five young Batswana by offering them scholarships for Masters degrees in a variety of fields.

The former president said instead of handing out money, Barclays had decided to take the route of educating and empowering young people in a way that was sustainable and powerful.  Mogae said he was optimistic that the scholarship fund would contribute to the building up of a pool of necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to help the country grow.

'One of our greatest shortcomings as a country has been the inability to include more opportunities in the manufacturing, financial services, tourism and information technology markets,' he said. 

'However, I am hopeful that this new and upcoming generation of learned young people will be able to make a positive contribution in this regard. We need their ideas and participation in our endeavour to diversify the economy.

'It is therefore my hope that the beneficiaries of the scholarship will venture into businesses that could contribute to employment creation and economic diversification.

'As future leaders of the nation, it is right that they be nurtured, trained and groomed into responsible citizens while they are still young.'

Mogae said it was important for the corporate world to assist the government and communities to develop this 'important resource'. He said as in previous years, the quality of applications was very high, making the selection quite challenging. Mogae then addressed himself to the students more directly: 'We all trust that (you) will do your families and indeed the nation proud by striving for excellence,' he said.

'The ball is now in your court, and it is up to you to study and realise your ambitions. Your sponsors expect nothing less than excellence from you.

'Use this opportunity as a stepping stone to your future and do so with the necessary commitment and discipline. Like one William Allah once said: 'Education is the answer to the question. Education is the means to answer all questions.'

'So, take this as the beginning of a great challenge; a challenge to go and learn and come back with the ability to find means of leaving no question unanswered, as well as to assist us change Botswana for the better.' One of the beneficiaries, Matenge, expressed their gratitude to the scholarship fund for easing their financial burden. Matenge said after their graduation, they would use their experiences and knowledge to contribute to the development of Botswana.