By Roy Mabasa
The Embassy of France in the Philippines is expanding its 2020 scholarship program for Filipino professionals who are aiming to pursue a Master’s or Doctorate degree and prioritize those who would enter in any of the nine major fields of study.
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), the French Embassy cited the growing interest of Filipinos to pursue graduate studies in France as a reason for expanding its scholarship program this year.
The program aims to encourage Filipino professionals working in academic, research, or government institutions to pursue a degree at French public higher education institutions.
To strengthen exchanges in scientific knowledge and expertise between France and the Philippines, the scholarships prioritize the following fields of study: Agriculture, Biological Sciences, Climate Change, Forestry, Health and Medical Research, Material Sciences, Natural Resources and Environment, Nuclear Application on Health, and Veterinary Sciences.
The French Embassy is also accepting applications for the Phil-France Scholarships. Launched in 2016, this scholarship program is aimed at Filipino students and professionals wishing to come to France to pursue Master’s degrees in all academic disciplines taught at French higher education institutions. It is awarded to highly-qualified candidates who have demonstrated strong academic and leadership qualities in their scholarly and professional activities.
Awardees of the Phil-France-DOST Scholarships and the Phil-France Scholarships will be entitled to the following benefits: a partial tuition subsidy, one roundtrip ticket from Manila to France, an exemption from visa application fees, a monthly allowance, a health care package, and priority access to public student accommodations for the expected length of their academic programs.
Since its founding, over 50 Filipinos have been the recipients of the Phil-France Scholarship which enabled them to pursue graduate degrees in the French language and literature, business, public policy and international development, engineering, mathematics, marine biology, applied chemistry, environmental and ecological sciences, and public health.
Details and guidelines on eligibility, benefits, and requirements are available through the Phil-France Scholarships Program website at www.philfrance-scholarships.com.
Interested candidates are urged to submit their applications online through the Phil-France Scholarships site not later than March 16, 2020.