BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE doors to education opportunities have opened a little wider with today’s (Apr. 1) launch of the online application process for the Organisation of American States’ (OAS) 2010 Scholarship Programme.
Since its inception in 1984, the programme has eased the financial burden on dozens of Kittitian and Nevisian students pursuing tertiary education overseas. Earlier this year, eight of the Federation’s most promising students were the lucky recipients of its 2009 incarnation.
Perusal of the OAS website indicates that graduate scholarships are offered for study towards a Master’s or Doctoral degree while undergraduate scholarships are offered to candidates for the last two years of study towards a Bachelor’s degree. Scholarship recipients are awarded a maximum of US$30 000 per academic year.
This is not the only opportunity local students can take advantage of. In yet another reinforcement of its commitment to developing the human resources of member states, the OAS, in collaboration with the Chinese government, recently announced the distribution of partial scholarships to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in China. The scholarship package will include on-campus accommodation, a monthly allowance and comprehensive medical insurance.
To be eligible for either of these programmes, applicants must meet a number of criteria including citizenship or permanent residency status and endorsement by the government’s National Authorising Agency. They must also agree to return home for a minimum of two years upon completion of their studies.
Applications should be submitted to the OAS through its website www.oas.org, where further details about both initiatives can be accessed.
The Federation’s OAS Representative, Starett Greene, stressed that despite the global economic downturn and the escalating cost of tertiary education, his organisation would continue to grant as many scholarships as possible.
He however did have a warning for potential applicants.
“An OAS scholarship is a highly valued commodity in an exceptionally competitive environment. We will work to keep funding at least at the same level, but given the predicted global economic slowdown, we cannot be certain what the level of funding will be for the forthcoming year,” said Greene.
