Giving back to society with education

Thai Asia Pacific Brewery (TAPB) is providing scholarships as ongoing support for students until they complete their undergraduate studies – and sustainable education is the driving theme of the initiative.

Called the Numjai Thai Asia Scholarship project, it started in 2011 as part of the company’s 19th anniversary celebrations, along with a range of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and activities for employees.

The project is focused on providing scholarships for students who have good academic records, but need financial support.

Managing director Larry Lee Chio Lim said the company began its merit-based Namjai Thai Asia Scholarship programme in 2011, by rewarding scholarships to deserving students from Sai Yai and Radniyom sub-districts in Nonthaburi.

He said the company recognises the importance of providing support for education, which it has made a cornerstone of its social responsibility programme.

Under the initiative, students who receive scholarships are supported until they complete their undergraduate studies – making it a sustainable exercise. 

“The only requirement is that they remain diligent and maintain the required grade point average. We believe this initiative will help deserving and motivated students to achieve both academic success and fulfilment in their lives. Ultimately, they will be able to use their knowledge to become productive members of society and contribute to the further development of the nation,” he said.

In the first year of the programme, TAPB provided 19 scholarships. In 2012, the number of scholarships increased to 50 and in 2013, 70 scholarships were awarded. This year, the company granted 66 scholarships to students from Radniyom and Sai Yai districts.

Warunee Banjong an English teacher and guidance counsellor at the Radniyom school said most of the people living in Sai Yai and Radniyom sub-districts were farmers or worked in factories and had only modest incomes. They understood that education was key to building a better life and they certainly wanted their children to go to college – but that was a financial burden that few families could bear.

“This is why the scholarships from Thai Asia Pacific Brewery are so important to students at our school,” said Warunee. 

 

Great motivation

“Winning a scholarship will significantly reduce the stress on families while the requirement to maintain a GPA of over 3.0 keeps the student motivated and focused on their studies throughout college. 

“Another important benefit of the scholarship is that it motivates many students to study hard so they have a chance to win a scholarship in the next year. 

“The scholarship programme is a good example of how companies can help local people help themselves through increased education and academic achievement,” Warunee said.

Wattana “Ice” Cheepyuen is a tall soft-spoken 17-year-old Matthayom 6 student with a 3.9 GPA from Radniyom School. He won a Namjai Thai Asia Scholarship when he was in Matthayom 4.

He said the way that Thai Asia Pacific Brewery supports the local community is impressive as they make it possible for many students to continue their studies, which can make a big difference to their lives. 

“I love studying both maths and English, and plan on continuing to study these subjects in college. But I also focus on all other subjects to keep my GPA above the scholarship limit,” Wattana said.

“My mother is a teacher’s assistant and my father works on cooking gas delivery piping systems. Both work very hard to provide for our family and they have taught me the value of hard work, so I’m very happy they’re proud I’ve received this scholarship,” Wattana said.

Piyarat “Ja” Hangkaew is studying public health at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University where she maintains a 3.5 GPA. She doesn’t think she would have been able to go to college without the scholarship from Thai Asia Pacific Brewery. “I am very grateful and committed to finishing my studies and returning to help take care of the people in my community,” she said.

There are four children in her family and since her father passed away, her mother has been working as a seamstress to support them all. 

“I was first awarded the scholarship when I was in Matthayom 6 and by covering the cost of living as well as part of my tuition it has made a huge difference in my life. It has also taken a big load off of my mother’s shoulders, though I still help her with the sewing and work around the house so she has some time for herself,” Piyrat added.

Meanwhile, TAPB’s managing director said: “Everyone at Thai Asia Pacific Brewery is very grateful to Thailand for the success it has achieved over the last 19 years and we are happy and proud to be able to give back to the society through our CSR activities.

“It is our belief that by supporting education in this manner we are helping to benefit the society, the economy and the country’s continued development and prosperity over the long-term. We look forward to continuing to give back to the communities and society that we call home in the years to come.”