Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) is seeking to lock in a partnership with Canada’s OntarioTech University for a scholarship initiative focused on enhancing Filipino talent in the nuclear power sector.
A Manila Bulletin report said that MERALCO First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet revealed plans for a team from Meralco to visit Canada in July to formalize the proposed scholarship agreement with OntarioTech.
According to Savet, the specifics of the scholarship program are still in development. He also shared that the agreement is expected to be finalized by July.
The power utility giant is looking to select five Filipino scholars to pursue advanced studies in nuclear engineering and related fields at partner universities abroad.
Included in the list of potential scholars are three professionals from MERALCO and one from its subsidiary MERALCO PowerGen. The fifth slot might go to a scholar recommended by the Department of Energy (DOE), although this proposal has yet to be discussed with the agency.
The chosen scholars will be sent overseas to pursue Master’s degrees in Nuclear Engineering. Among the prospective partner universities for the program are OntarioTech and the University of Illinois.
MERALCO’s nuclear scholarship program, known as Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION), was officially launched last September. Plans were set to enroll its first batch of scholars in the upcoming academic year.
Director of the Centre of Small Modular Reactors at Ontario Tech Professor Kirk Atkinson presented the university’s academic offerings to the Philippine Nuclear Energy Mission to Canada. Said offerings included Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and Graduate Diplomas in Nuclear Engineering and related fields.