PPS Recognises Top Achievers

This year PPS Insurance, the only insurance company that caters exclusively for graduate professionals, granted R250,000 in scholarships and bursaries to 24 university students.

Chief Executive of PPS Insurance, Mike Jackson, said the PPS Chairman’s Scholarship and Bursaries programme has been awarding funding to students for the last 10 years, in support of making a contribution to the future of our country.

“With the annual scholarship and bursaries programme, we are not only helping to build a nation, but we are helping to support potential employees, clients and above all – fellow graduate professionals,” says Jackson.

This year, the PPS Chairman’s Scholarship Award of R30,000, based on academic merit, was granted to Fiona van den Berg, from WITS University. This top academic student has a series of distinctions behind her name and is currently enrolled to do her Masters in Biochemistry.

The disciplined, hard-working and determined van den Berg intends to further herself through academic studies, in the filed of molecular medicine, which will enable her to make a significant contribution to the pharmaceutical industry.

“The first step in pursuing this goal is to obtain my Masters in a hot area of contemporary research with important consequences,” says van den Berg, who’s proposed project will deal specifically with details of RNA-based, anti-viral therapy that could be applied to the treatment of Hepatitis B and HIV infections.

Van den Berg will continue with this research through to a PhD. She intends to publish and present her findings in international journals and scientific conferences, respectively.

“By applying the knowledge and skills I have gained during the course of my studies, I am committed to improving society and making a difference not only to the people of South Africa, but also to those globally,” says van den Berg.

In a unique turn of events, the three students who were also in line for the scholarship award displayed such exceptional potential that they inspired the selection panel to award a further R10,000 to the first runner up – Anneke Botes from the University of the Free State – and R5,000 to each of the other candidates – Emile Engel from the Stellenbosch University and Heinrich Möller from the University of Pretoria.

According to Jackson, PPS is proud to grant the 2007/8 scholarships and bursaries winners with the opportunity to improve their own lives and those of others in South Africa.

The 20 bursary awards of R10 000 each, which were granted to students across South Africa, were based on financial need and cover books and tuition fees.

According to Jackson, “anyone who has ever got to the top is someone who has recognised an opportunity when it came their way. We believe our graduates have the potential to do great things in the future, if they are given the right opportunities. Education is crucial to growing capacity and achieving sustainability – both in society and in business. It is in this sector that PPS Insurance can make a real difference.”