Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited granted scholarships to Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, under the campaign ‘A Scholarship for A Brighter Future’. The need-based scholarship will be managed by the committee and allocated according to each patient’s differing socio-economic needs. Gulf Group has committed to provide educational funding for a 4-year period (2020-2023), totaling over 5 million baht, following a pilot project granting 30 scholarships in 2019. The endeavor underscores the company’s ongoing mission to support Thai youth and education. It also reflects Gulf Group's corporate social responsibility vision under the concept of “Powering the Future, Empowering the People”, which aims to operate the business in tandem with improving the quality of life for people in the society in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Sitamon Ratanavadi, on behalf of Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi, Chief Executive Officer of GULF stated, “‘A Scholarship for A Brighter Future’ campaign is an educational aid that expands on the company’s public health aid campaigns. Since 2016, Gulf Group has continually supported the operation of the Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center through financial donations, provision of medical equipment, and volunteering in multidisciplinary mobile clinics around the country where doctors and medical staff provide treatment to patients with craniofacial problems for free.

“On this occasion, Gulf Group would therefore like to extend our support to patients in need and who have good behavior by granting 51 scholarships worth more than 600,000 baht this year. We hope that the scholarships will help alleviate their hardship and increase the opportunities for personal capacity development and access to education. This is because the company recognizes that education is the cornerstone of youth development, since these young minds will continue to be an important force for the general society and the country going forward,” Mr. Boonchai Thirati, Executive Director said.

Prof. Emeritus Charan Mahatumarat, M.D., Head of Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center stated, “On behalf of the campaign committee, we are positive that the scholarships will help improve patients’ quality of life as craniofacial deformities cause a number of concurrent issues such as difficulty eating, teeth and teeth grinding issues, hearing difficulties, and speech impediments, as well as psychological problems for both the parents and the patients. Treatment for this complex issue requires multidisciplinary collaboration to cover all aspects and ensure the best outcome for each patient. Over the years, the center has received a large number of patients, mostly from outside of Bangkok and low-income families. Therefore, we would like to express our appreciation to Gulf Group and the working team for initiating this campaign to bring continuous tangible benefits to patients.”

“The scholarships under this campaign will be allocated according to the different needs and socio-economic backgrounds of the children in each family. The center will have a team of social workers who will help assess patients’ needs and allocate funds appropriately each year. The assessment will take into account the ratio of income and expenses plus other relevant factors such as cost of living, school transport fees, school uniform and supplies costs, as well as allowances to alleviate hardship. However, academic performance will not be considered since some patients may also have developmental issues. The patients receiving this scholarship are students from K1 - G9 nationwide such as Bangkok and the greater metropolitan area, Saraburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Sisaket, Yasothon, Buriram, Chaiyaphum, Trang and Pattani. The scholarship will help alleviate the families’ difficulties and other financial burdens,” Assoc. Prof. Nond Rojvachiranonda, M.D., Deputy Head of Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Centre explained.

For more information and updates of ‘A Scholarship for A Brighter Future’, please visit Gulf Energy Development and Thai Cranio Facial