USAID – CHEd partnership to benefit Myanmar scholars

MANILA, Philippines — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)  is partnering with the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to provide full scholarships for students from Myanmar to enroll in various public and private universities in the Philippines and in online programs through the University of Arizona.

In a statement on Tuesday, the United States Embassy said the initiative would be made possible through the US$45-million program initiative called Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Program.<

“USAID will work closely with CHEd to streamline the admissions process for Burmese students and provide support services to facilitate their transition to studying in Philippine universities, including Batangas State University, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, St. Louis University in Baguio, the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and the University of the Philippines-Los Baños,” said the embassy.

According to the embassy, the scholars from Myanmar who will benefit from the initiative are set to arrive in the Philippines by July.

“USAID’s Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Program will provide quality educational opportunities for young community leaders in Burma, especially those from marginalized and vulnerable groups.  The program also offers grants to help higher education institutions in Asia strengthen their capacity to support international students by boosting institutional partnerships, growing regional networks, and expanding community service-oriented activities,” it added.

The embassy further detailed that the partnership recognizes the Philippines’ and US’ “commitment to education as a catalyst for positive change in Burma and around the world.”