The online California-based University of the People (UoPeople) announced on Wednesday, in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand, that it will provide 50 scholarships to Burma-born students in order to study tuition-free programs.
“We are very proud to have a special project for students from Myanmar [Burma], particularly after what they have gone through, and especially now, when their situation may be beginning to improve since repatriation has begun. We see it as imperative that these students advance their education and cultivate occupational skills in order to rebuild their futures. For this reason, we decided that I would come personally to Mae Sot to meet our students and potential applicants and to announce that we are proud to offer 50 scholarships to Myanmar students”, said Shai Reshef, in the press release.
UoPeople has associates and bachelor degree programs in business administration, computer science and health science, while also offering an MBA.
Sarah Vanunu, the director of public relations at the University, told Mon News Agency that there are some basic requirements that the applicants must know before they apply.
“To be accepted for admittance, the students must be over the age of 18, have completed high school and must be proficient in English. Students are welcome to apply for the scholarship after they have completed their student application and have been admitted to the university. And, admitted students will require basic internet access in order for them to download study materials and to complete weekly homework assignments,” said Sarah Vanunu, adding that the program is not limited to Burmese refugees rather it’s for anyone born in Burma.
Vanunu went on to say “UoPeople has 5 terms a year. The academic terms are 9 weeks long. Each term, a student takes one or two courses. An Associate’s degree is comprised of 20 courses and can be completed in two years. But a Bachelor’s degree is comprised of 40 courses and can be completed in 4 years”.
The UoPeople, founded in 2009, is the world’s first non-profit, tuition-free, American accredited online university providing higher education globally. Some of UoPeople’s partnerships include Yae ISP Law School, New York University and the University of California Berkeley. With a support network of over 5,000 dedicated volunteers; the university has enrolled students from 180 different countries.
