Orica Philippines, a leading provider of commercial explosives and blasting systems, has kicked off its inaugural scholarship program in collaboration with the University of the Philippines College of Engineering (UP COE).
In a statement, the firm said that, through this effort, scholarships will be granted to seven aspiring engineering students to help them complete their education.

The signing of the contracts and handover of the scholarships was held at the UP Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering.
Presiding over the event were Engrs. Gordon Wallace, Orica Philippines’ Country Head, and Joel Laqui, Senior Territory Manager, Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling, Dean, UP COE, Dr. Djoan Kate Tungpalan, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Engr. Alfonso Tito Aliga Jr., UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc Executive Director, and faculty members from the UP Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering.
“At Orica Philippines, we're dedicated to nurturing the potential of young minds to shape a brighter tomorrow,” said Orica Philippines’ Country Head Gordon Wallace.
He added that, “Our partnership with the University of the Philippines is a milestone in our commitment to foster growth and drive positive change, not just within the engineering sector in the Philippines, but on a global scale.”
“Investing in the future of the Philippines by creating opportunities for talented students to attain academic and professional success in the field of mining engineering represents a significant stride forward,” said Wallace.
The grant follows the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Orica and the UP Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering in November 2023 that led to the creation of a special scholarship program for select mining engineering students.