Fostering a love of learning through scholarship programs.

Inheriting and promoting that spirit, over the years, Ninh Binh province has implemented many science and technology programs, demonstrated through the awarding of scholarships and gifts, not only providing encouragement but also creating resources to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, academically gifted students, those with high achievements in their studies and training, and those with potential and talent, contributing to raising the intellectual level and nurturing talent for the homeland.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Truong, Chairman of the Provincial Association for the Promotion of Learning, said: "In its formation and development, Ninh Binh has fostered many valuable and beautiful cultural traditions. Among them, the love of learning and the promotion of learning are considered a deep-rooted source, nurturing generations of talented people for the homeland and the country. These forms of promoting learning are recorded in the village regulations of many villages and communes in the province. It is thanks to the progressive ideas in the activities of promoting learning of the people of Ninh Binh in the past that learning has been promoted, creating many villages and communes with scholars, known as 'Land of Learning,' 'Village of Scholars,' 'Village of Doctors,' with many famous scholars such as Truong Han Sieu, Vu Duy Thanh…

Over the years, implementing the resolutions and directives of the Party and Government, especially Directive 11-CT/TW dated April 13, 2007, of the Politburo on "Strengthening the Party's leadership over the work of promoting learning and talent, and building a learning society," our province has seen the active participation of all levels, sectors, agencies, units, organizations, and individuals, with the Association for the Promotion of Learning playing a core role, achieving many positive results, especially in rewarding students who have achieved many academic achievements and supporting students in difficult circumstances.

Numerous scholarship funds have been established and awarded to studious children, receiving attention, support, and participation from all sectors of society. A prime example is the Dinh Bo Linh Science and Technology Fund. In just three years (2020, 2021, 2022), it organized the "Wings of Dreams" program, rewarding 891 outstanding students, including high school and university students and athletes, with nearly 4 billion VND in prize money. Being recognized and rewarded by the Dinh Bo Linh Science and Technology Fund is a goal and a dream for many students from Ninh Binh province.

In particular, besides awarding one-time scholarships to students, many organizations, individuals, and philanthropists have donated scholarships to students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds for many years, with relatively high scholarship values, supporting thousands of students on their path to nurturing their dreams, studying, and training, striving to become useful members of society.

Over the three years (2020, 2021, 2022), the Standing Committee of the Provincial Association for the Promotion of Learning, in coordination with the Thien Tam Fund - Vingroup Corporation, Viettel Military Telecommunications Company Ninh Binh branch, Long Son Cement Company, and Phu My Hung Company, selected and awarded 1,100 scholarships to disadvantaged students, totaling 3.15 billion VND.

Representatives from Long Son Cement Company awarded scholarships to 100 orphaned students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Ninh Binh province for the 2023-2024 school year, with each scholarship worth 6.3 million VND.

Also during the three years (2020, 2021, 2022), the Association for the Promotion of Learning from the district level to the branches, family-based learning promotion committees, agencies, organizations, social organizations, and philanthropists awarded scholarships to 368,727 outstanding students and students with excellent achievements, totaling 30,220 million VND; granted scholarships and gifts to 25,549 students in difficult circumstances, totaling 19,403 million VND; and gave gifts to 9,870 students, totaling 4,851 million VND.

Scholarships, whether awarded once or regularly, are of great significance, helping many students from disadvantaged backgrounds to be encouraged and continue their education. A typical example is Dinh Minh Quang, a student at Yen Ninh Town Secondary School (Yen Khanh District). Quang's circumstances are quite difficult; his father passed away early, his mother is in poor health and only works in agriculture, so the family's finances are very limited. There were times when it seemed that the upbringing and education of Quang and his brother would have to be temporarily suspended.

Ms. Doan Thi Loi, mother of Dinh Minh Quang, shared: "I once thought about letting my child drop out of school because our family was facing such difficulties. But seeing how diligent and eager he was to learn, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Just when I was feeling lost and desperate, my family received support from the school and various organizations and groups through practical and meaningful gifts such as books, school supplies, new clothes, and especially a monthly scholarship of 500,000 VND. This gave me and my children great motivation to overcome difficulties and continue attending school, so as not to disappoint the teachers and benefactors who have given us this support."

So, for the past two years, in his small house with no valuable possessions, Dinh Minh Quang has received many valuable rewards: certificates of merit, awards for academic excellence, and international medals. Quang said that thanks to these gifts and scholarships, he has gained more motivation, overcome feelings of inferiority and self-consciousness about his circumstances, and always strives to be diligent, hardworking, and exemplary in all class and school activities. Quang is loved and cared for by his teachers and friends, becoming a shining example for many of his peers to learn from and emulate.

As one of the units with a vibrant and effective science and technology movement, the Provincial Women's Union has harmoniously combined the "Godmother" program launched by the Vietnam Women's Union with the "Scholarship to Help Children Overcome Difficulties and Go to School" project. This clearly demonstrates the role and responsibility of the Union in disseminating information, mobilizing support, and connecting with others to care for and nurture orphaned children and children with special difficulties, ensuring they are not left behind.

Ms. Vu Thi Ha, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, stated: "As representatives responsible for caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women and children, the Women's Union at all levels in the province has actively participated with various levels and sectors in caring for and protecting children through meaningful and practical actions. A prime example is the effective implementation of the 'Godmother' program and the 'Scholarship Program to Help Children Overcome Difficulties and Go to School,' with the spirit of dedicating everything best to children. In 2021, the Women's Union at all levels conducted a review and compiled a list of orphaned children and children with particularly difficult circumstances in their localities."

As of the end of August 2023, the province had 1,348 orphans, of which 682 were from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over the past two years, Women's Union branches at all levels have mobilized donations of "Scholarships to help children overcome difficulties and go to school," as well as gifts for education and Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations, for 2,638 poor, disabled, and orphaned students, totaling nearly 1 billion VND. Specifically, from July to the present, in preparation for the new school year, the Union has mobilized donations of school supplies and scholarships for 221 children, including 18 children who have been sponsored (receiving "Scholarships to help children overcome difficulties and go to school") until they finish high school, bringing the total number of sponsored children to 106.

With a profound sense of humanity and the national tradition of mutual support, scientific and technological work, programs, and activities such as donating bicycles, books, school supplies, and scholarships to poor students, students with difficult circumstances, disabled students, and academically excellent students have been regularly carried out, especially at the beginning of the school year, at the end of the school year, on holidays, festivals, and anniversaries of youth and the nation. This has awakened the spirit of compassion and sharing among organizations and individuals throughout society.

Thanks to these resources, the seemingly unfulfilled dream of going to school for many poor students has been rekindled, nurturing the aspirations of many to strive for academic excellence and grow into useful members of society.

Text and photos: Hanh Chi

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/khoi-day-tinh-than-hieu-hoc-thong-qua-cac-chuong-trinh-trao/d20231003170537725.htm