Two students sponsored through the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Education Subsidy Program, were awarded Council Medals for their outstanding academic excellence during the 57th Graduation ceremony of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in April. Joel Iamo, graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with Merit and attained Upper Second-Class Honours. He was sponsored through Gas Resources Plant Site Limited. Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Iamo stated, "The sponsorship was a game changer for me. It lifted a huge financial burden and allowed me to focus entirely on my studies. Receiving the Council Medal is an honour I share with my sponsor and families.” Junior Wafi earned the Bachelor of Communication for Development Studies with Merit. He was a beneficiary of sponsorship from MRDC and a member of the pioneering cohort of the Late Imbi Tagune Scholarship. He remarked, “The support from MRDC enabled me to pursue my passion and achieve these results. I am incredibly grateful and excited to use my knowledge to contribute to our communities." MRDC stated that among the other high-achieving sponsored graduates were, Gau Taumaku, Master of Engineering in Communication Engineering, successfully completed a thesis titled: "Application of Advanced Technologies to Enhance the Resiliency of Smart Grids Against Cyber and Physical Attacks." Alexandria Gabrial, Upper Second-Class Honours and a Degree with Merit in her Bachelor of Civil Engineering. Mea Maba, Lower Second-Class Honours and a Degree with Merit in Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. Gege Toea Arere, Degree with Merit in her Bachelor of Applied Economics. Goasa Kila, Degree with Merit in Bachelor of Surveying. Leroy McLance, Degree with Merit in Bachelor of Business in Accountancy. Taumaku Taumaku, Degree with Merit in Bachelor of Applied Chemistry. Vincent Nanai, Degree with Merit in Electrical Engineering. Renee Ofae, Degree with Merit in her Bachelor of Communication for Development Studies. “A total of 17 graduates were sponsored by various MRDC subsidiaries under the Education Subsidy Program. The Education Subsidy Program is managed by the MRDC on behalf of its subsidiary companies, benefiting students from mining, oil, and gas project areas,” MRDC said.