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(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — With a $100,000 gift, Monsanto Company has established the Monsanto Scholarship Fund in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Their goal is to support the education of students interested in the plant sciences, including plant biotechnology and biological engineering. The scholarship award can be used for costs associated with attendance including tuition, books, fees, and supplies.

"The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources certainly appreciates Monsanto's generosity in establishing this scholarship in support of our students. I anticipate that this scholarship will be an incentive for students to major in programs that are at the cutting edge of plant sciences and biological engineering," said Andrew "Andy" Hashimoto, Dean, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Monsanto, with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, is an agricultural company that applies innovation and technology to help farmers around the world produce more while conserving more. The company's farm stations in Hawaiʻi assist in the development of better-quality seeds to help farmers grow crops sustainably so the farmers can be successful; produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fiber; and help reduce agriculture's impact on our environment. The company is part of Hawaiʻi's growing seed crop industry, which employs approximately 2,000 people in the state and generates $13.8 million per year in tax revenue. Counting direct and indirect expenditures, the industry’s economic impact is at least $342 million.

"Hawaiʻi is the gateway to the future of worldwide agriculture, and we want to support and encourage as many local students who are interested in pursuing an exciting and meaningful career in agriculture," said Fred Perlak, vice president of research and business operations for Monsanto Hawaiʻi. "Agricultural researchers and workers use science and technology to make farming better, and seek solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing challenges — environmental and economic sustainability, food security, drought, malnutrition and hunger, to name a few. For that, we need and want highly skilled, well educated workers who are passionate about making a difference. It is our hope that many Hawaiʻi students will take advantage of this new program with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and go on to fulfilling careers in agriculture."

This scholarship will benefit full-time undergraduate or graduate students studying agricultural plant sciences, biotechnology or biological engineering and pursuing a degree in Agricultural Sciences at the College. Recipients will need to have a grade point average of 3.0 or above. Students interested in applying for the scholarship can get more information from CTAHR's Academic and Student Affairs Office, 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore 211, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96822.

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Monsanto Hawaiʻi is a strong supporter of science and technology education in the state. This scholarship program with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the newest addition to the company's educational support programs, which also include an annual life sciences scholarship for graduating Hawaiʻi high school seniors, biannual science education grants to Hawaiʻi public schools, special grants to colleges and environmental organizations for educational and stewardship endeavors, and volunteerism for local and state science fairs.

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. Our mission is to unite our donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.UHFoundation.org

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa serves approximately 20,000 students pursuing more than 225 different degrees. Coming from every Hawaiian island, every state in the nation, and more than 100 countries, UH Mānoa students matriculate in an enriching environment for the global exchange of ideas. manoa.hawaii.edu

The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) is committed to the preparation of students and all citizens of Hawaiʻi for life in the global community through research and educational programs supporting tropical agricultural systems that foster viable communities, a diversified economy, and a healthy environment. CTAHR actively helps Hawaiʻi diversify its economy, ensure a sustainable environment, and strengthen its communities, and serves as the premier resource for tropical agricultural systems and natural resource management in the Asia-Pacific region. ctahr.hawaii.edu