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Versión Español | February 2014

SEDI News

The Government of Mexico Renews its Pledge of Scholarships for OAS Member States

Mexico's FlagThe first call of 2014 for scholarships for postgraduate studies in science and engineering in Mexico is now open. The Scholarship Program is offered by the Mexican government to OAS Member States through its National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID).  

The announcement of the CONACYT-OAS-AMEXCID Scholarship Program 2014, the second one since the agreement was formalized in July 2013, was made on February 10, 2014 by José Miguel Insulza, OAS Secretary General; Emilio Rabasa, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the OAS, and Dolores Sánchez Soler, Adjunct Director for Postgraduate Studies and Scholarships of CONACYT. Secretary General Insulza highlighted that in its development related work, the Organization “concentrates fundamentally on the training of human resources and institutional strengthening.” In this sense, he stressed that “through scholarships for higher education, we can offer our citizens better and more sophisticated tools to address new global challenges and promote scientific and technological development in the Americas.”  

The CONACYT-OAS-AMEXCID Scholarship Program offers the opportunity to study Specializations, Masters and PhD programs in Mexico while receiving a monthly stipend for subsistence, health insurance, a one-time grant for installation expenses, and the possibility to obtain tuition waivers and the option of doing part of the study program with the scholarship abroad, including the student’s country of origin. This last component is unique to this program and gives students an opportunity to maintain ties with their own country, and to further apply their research and projects to their countries’ development priorities.  

Through the scholarships program, the Mexican government intends to “contribute to regional integration through the exchange and flow of students through all of our countries” declared Ms. Sánchez Soler from CONACYT, who also announced that efforts are being made to further support and increase enrollment from native English speakers.  

The program’s focus on science and technology is consistent with Mexico’s current administration’s efforts to make progress in this area, as stated by Ambassador Emilio Rabasa from Mexico, who recalled that President Enrique Peña Nieto is committed to “increasing investments in science and technology to 1% of gross domestic product.” Ambassador Rabasa highlighted the program as “an example of the collaboration between Mexico and the OAS, and a clear demonstration of the will of my country to strengthen the links of cooperation in the Americas.”  

In 2013, a total of 120 scholarships were granted to students from 12 OAS Member States - 78 for graduate studies and 42 for doctoral studies. Fellows are currently attending universities and research centers of excellence in Mexico and completing programs that are accredited by the CONACYT.

Photo: Luis Silvestre Vaca Oyola"When I return to my country, I will be able to use the acquired knowledge towards the development of scientific research projects, which is critical to raising the academic standards of the universities in my country"

Luis Silvestre Vaca Oyola, a 24 year old civil engineer from Bolivia, is in his second semester of the Master of Advanced Technology at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) of Mexico D.F. with support from the scholarship program.

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