In a heartwarming ceremony marking Firm Engineering’s annual scholarship lottery, 20-year-old Janille Kardi became this year’s fortunate recipient, securing full funding for her studies at Suriname’s Anton de Kom University. The emotional moment unfolded as Education, Science, and Culture Minister Dirk Currie drew the winning ticket during the company’s Owru Yari Konmakandra event.
The scholarship program targets exceptional first-year students enrolled in the comprehensive Infrastructure program, which comprises thirteen distinct subjects. Participants qualify automatically by achieving the highest score in any course, with multiple top grades increasing their chances through additional lottery entries. This year’s selection process featured ten accomplished candidates, all of whom gained access to Firm Engineering’s educational initiatives despite only one securing the grand prize.
Kardi distinguished herself academically with outstanding performances across four courses: a perfect 9 in Practical Orientation, 8.8 in Academic Skills, 8.6 in Technical Drawing, and 8.3 in Design. Her achievement continues a thirteen-year tradition interrupted only by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Company Director Guido Koorndijk emphasized the program’s broader significance, noting that past recipients—dubbed Firm Performers—have excelled professionally. “Most pursue advanced studies while others join our ranks, work with competitors, or serve clients,” Koorndijk observed. “We intentionally invest in young talent because it benefits Suriname’s development. With emerging industries on the horizon, cultivating local expertise through strategic investment becomes imperative rather than optional.”
The celebration incorporated traditional elements, including the scholarship winner igniting an extended pagara firecracker, symbolizing the bright future awaiting Suriname’s next generation of engineering professionals.