DHL Holds Annual UPstairs Scholarship Programme

DHL, world’s leading courier and logistics company, has held its annual UPstairs Scholarship programme.

The scholarship is meant to provide financial support to the children and families of DHL employees in pursuing better education by providing financial assistance and support in the area of basic education, switching to a higher caliber school or moving onto secondary school or university.

Randy Buday, DHL’s country manager (Nigeria), said that, “DHL aims to foster equal access to education by addressing some of the social challenges faced in the world today as a result of lack of access to proper education,”

“The UPstairs scholarship programme is one of such initiatives launched as part of DHL’s three core corporate responsibility (CR) programmes, under the motto “Living Responsibility,” he added.

The programme is an annual event in which all eligible children between the ages 12 and 21 years who have good grades in school write a test, and the most successful are selected and interviewed.  At least, one of the parents must be a full-time employee at DHL with at least two years of continuous service, at the time of application. Beneficiaries of the programme will receive a scholarship worth 2,000 euros per annum for three years.

According to Olufunmilola Glover, DHL’s human resources manager (Nigeria), “other than financial assistance, the programme also offers individual services to each child, such as mentoring by a company employee, an internship at a DHL branch.”

Glover added that the selection of eligible families and children started alongside DHL employees showing great interest in the programme.

DHL embarked on an intensive process to identify suitable educational institutions while familiarizing the employees with the UPstairs programme through various communication tools.

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements.

DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.