-Ambassador says it’s a way of forging closer relations with Guyana
Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Sandoval Flores, yesterday announced that 30 percent of the 50 Bicentennial Scholarships for Professional Technicians offered to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by the Mexican Government will be awarded to Guyanese, and indicated that the same amount could be expected next year. The Ambassador was at the time speaking at a press conference at the Mexican Embassy, Brickdam.
Flores noted that awardees will benefit from the “full scholarship” package that entails waivered enrollment fees, a monthly allowance of US $400, a four-month Spanish course prior to the beginning of the studies, full medical insurance coverage from the Mexican Social Security Institute, and international air transportation at the beginning and end of the scholarship.
Additionally, the Guyana Government will be providing a monthly stipend of US $75, as well as travelling expenses in the event of an emergency such as the death of a parent or guardian.
The Ambassador added that students who accept the Technical Scholarships will travel to Mexico shortly to participate in the Spanish course, which commences on Monday.
The Professional Technical Programme will run for three years at the National School of Professional Technical Education, an institute associated with the Ministry of Public Education in Mexico.
He said that the Mexican Government is trying its best with its available resources to offer these opportunities to Guyanese in an effort to foster closer relations with Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
In August, 2009, seven of the graduates completed studies at the post-graduate level in Mexico, and Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford had disclosed that Government was looking at a programme where it can give back in terms of extending scholarships to students from other countries to pursue studies in the field of English.
The Mexico scholarships were initiated in commemoration of 200 years of Independence and 100 years of the Mexican Revolution. (GINA)