(Puerto Rico Community Foundation administers the Toyota Foundation scholarship program)
San Juan, Puerto Rico Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria and the recent United Nations report on the urgency of acting against climate change, positive environmental action has become more important than ever. Toyota Foundation continue making your contribution to this important fight.
To that end, the Foundation recently held the 21st edition of its environmental scholarship program. On this occasion, it awarded scholarships of 1,450 pesos each to 18 young people pursuing university studies in science and the environment, at a ceremony held at a restaurant in the county. The total amount of the scholarships was 145,000 pesos.
“As recently as early October of this year, the United Nations released its latest report on climate change,” said Saskia Gómez, public relations executive for Toyota de Puerto Rico, Corp. “In it, they warned that the world could experience a dramatic temperature increase within 20 years if urgent action is not taken. This can bring serious consequences for Puerto Rico, such as, for example, stronger hurricanes.”.
“Within that context, the study of science and the environment is more relevant today,” the executive added. “At the Toyota Foundation, we have maintained our commitment to these studies for over two decades. Today, we reaffirm that commitment to help forge professionals dedicated to protecting our planet and our natural surroundings.”.
The 18 young people who received the Toyota Foundation Environmental Scholarships are currently pursuing their undergraduate studies at universities in Puerto Rico and the United States. Their areas of study include Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology, Microbiology, Agronomy, and Crop Protection, among others. Twelve of them are university students who are renewing their scholarships due to their academic excellence, and the remaining six are new scholarship recipients.
Sixth-year student Jerry Cordero Sepúlveda, who is currently studying Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, commented on his experience with the Environmental Scholarship Program: “During these past few years, the Toyota Foundation's Environmental Scholarship has been an important pillar in my university career. During the 2017-2018 academic year, I was able to complete my academic work satisfactorily, despite the climatic conditions that affected the island. This was largely due to the financial aid provided by the Toyota Environmental Scholarship. Having this scholarship has made it possible for me to stay near the university. Therefore, my studies have not been affected due to housing insecurity during my studies. Furthermore, the scholarship helped me purchase educational materials that I lost during the floods in my home in Guayanilla. In this way, the Toyota Environmental Scholarship has allowed me to remain focused on my university studies.”
Since its founding in 1997, the Toyota Foundation has contributed nearly $1,000,000 to the development of professionals committed to a better environment by awarding approximately 378 scholarships. The Toyota Foundation Scholarship Program was administered by the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR).
“At Fundación Toyota, we feel great satisfaction being able to help these young people who wish to positively impact the environment,” Gómez stated. “Our mission is to continue being an agent of change in the lives of these students. In this way, we are helping Puerto Rico when it needs it most.”.
About Toyota Foundation
Toyota Foundation was created in 1997 due to Toyota de Puerto Rico's interest in demonstrating with concrete actions its commitment to the environment and ecological education. In its 21 years of existence, it has supported dozens of environmental projects and has awarded 378 scholarships. The organization supports environmental research, restoration, or conservation projects. It also contributes to talks, recycling projects, and initiatives related to reducing the problem of global warming.
Comstat Contacts:
Mily Hernández 787.507.4919 Gabriela Allende 787.510.1543
mily.hernandez@comstatpr.com gabriela.allende@comstatpr.com