IBA-Sukkur Foundation Programme: Chagai students awarded RDMC scholarships

REKO DIQ, (District Chagai): Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) celebrated the achievement of 55 students from District Chagai who have been awarded fully funded scholarships to attend the Foundation Programme at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur.

The award ceremony was held at the Reko Diq project site and attended by students, parents, community representatives, and officials from RDMC. The successful students represent the second cohort of the RDMC Scholarship Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening the academic capabilities of intermediate students from District Chagai and preparing them for admission to leading universities across Pakistan.

Welcoming the scholarship recipients, Ryan Mitchell, General Manager, Reko Diq Project, congratulated the students and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity. “Your success will not only be a personal achievement but also a contribution to the progress and prosperity of your communities and the wider region. This opportunity comes with the responsibility to pursue excellence and use your education to create positive changes,” he said. Mitchell also thanked the IBA Sukkur team and its Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Shaikh, along with RDMC’s Sustainability team, for successfully delivering the Foundation Program for a second consecutive year.

Stephen Herb, Sustainability Manager RDMC, highlighted the transformative role of education in community development. “Education builds stronger and more resilient communities. Every student here has earned this opportunity through dedication and hard work, supported by families and communities that believe in the power of education,” he said. He noted the success of the inaugural Foundation Program cohort, highlighting that 42 students from the 2025 cohort have secured admission to universities across Pakistan, demonstrating the program’s positive impact.

Addressing the participants, Hanno Staden, Head of Human Resources at RDMC, said, “I would like to encourage every student who is a recipient of the RDMC Scholarship Program to make the most of this opportunity and take your future into your own hands.”

While speaking at the ceremony, Essa Tahir, Community Investment Team Lead at RDMC, emphasized that the Reko Diq Scholarship Programme is an investment in the talent, potential, and future of Chagai’s youth. He said, “Today, as we recognize 55 scholars, we are creating educational opportunities for youngsters to achieve their aspirations and contribute to the development of their communities. Their success will be a source of pride for Chagai and Balochistan.”

Scholarship recipients were presented with certificates and will now commence the six-month Foundation Programme. RDMC remains committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable development, with education serving as a key pillar of its sustainability strategy.

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