Opportunities for youth at Scholarships Fair

Dozens of students Tuesday visited the second Scholarships Fair held in Chisinau, where the participants exhibited programs for studying abroad and national scholarships programs, Info-Prim Neo reports. Angela Muset, the head of the Educational Advising Center, which organized the Fair, said they provided a wide range of scholarships, including merit scholarships, scholarships for young people from socially underprivileged families and for girls from boarding schools. “All those who want to apply for scholarships must have a good academic standing,” said Angela Muset. The scholars who will study abroad will be selected in Moldova with the help of representatives from abroad. Angela Muset said 20 young people were selected within the programs managed by the Educational Advising Center last year, when the Scholarships Fair was held for the first time. Most of the young people usually choose the American University in Bulgaria, the Central European University in Budapest, universities in the U.S. and Canada. Elena Petrov, special consultant with the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Division, said these scholarships are important as they contribute to the change of mentality, strengthen and develop academic and scientific cooperation and enable the students to make a successful career in Moldova. Every year, the U.S. Department of State provides three scholarships that are administered by the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. Valentina Petashov, of the Embassy's Culture and Press Division, said the first program applies to persons with scientific degree, the second – to young university teachers with a length of service of at least two years, while the third – to professionals with leadership abilities. Virgina Revenko, who is responsible for communication at the Francophone University Agency, said the Agency offers scholarships to holders of Master's Degree to Post Doctorate Degree. Felicia Baltean, a first-year student of the International Relations Institute, said she wants to go to study in France or Canada, but will then return home. The scholars will benefit from free transport, accommodation, health insurance and visa.