1000 in-country govt scholarships awarded
SOME 1, 000 lucky students have been awarded this year’s in-country scholarships, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has announced.
But the result will not be published in the country’s two daily newspapers as has been the practice, Permanent Secretary Franco Rodie told Solomon Star on the weekend.
This, he said, was due to the Government’s mounting cash-flow problem.
Dr. Rodie confirmed that 1, 000 scholarships have been decided, including those being awarded to Constituency students, funded through their Members of Parliament.
Due to travel restrictions, the 1, 000 scholarships being awarded in various disciplines would be undertaken at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
“As per our internal process and to comply with the SITESA Act 2017 on publication of results and the selection process protocols, we have taken the following actions free of costs.
“Automated messages informing students of the outcome of their application will be disseminated through student emails we have in our data system and via the SITESA Public Website /online portal,” Dr. Rodie said.
The list of successful candidates would also be made available to the public at NSD public notice board.
“To ensure we reach successful candidates in the provinces, NSD will also call students using the phone contacts we have in our database.
“SITESA will also utilise SIBC to direct students to the online portal to complete final requirements for awarding and signing of scholarships contracts,” he said.
Meanwhile the Chinese Embassy in Honiara has reportedly decided 15 scholarships it is awarding Solomon Islands students this year.
The students will be undertaking their studies in China, once the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted.
The list has been sent to Beijing for its final approval.
The 15 scholarships are in addition to the cost of funding scholarships for some 100 students relocated from Taiwanese universities. The Chinese government is footing the cost.
By Alfred Sasako
Newsroom, Honiara
