Post by Laoupdate on Feb 4, 2005 0:04:52 GMT -5
French increase scholarships
Khonesavanh Latsaphao
SCHOLARSHIPS for students at the National University of Laos to study in France have been increased this term because of a rise in the number of able students.
Acting Director of the School of Foundation Studies (SFS), Associate Professor Phoumy Douangchanh, said that a French-funded project had now increased its support for students to study in France from five to seven. The four-year programme, Preparation for Higher Education Using French as Teaching Medium, supports students in the SFS and has decided to increase the number of scholarships because there are a growing number of competent students.
These students study the same subjects at the SFS as their peers in the University, but French is used as the medium of instruction, said the acting director.
"These students have to speak and write French while studying at the SFS," said Phoumy.
The students take mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, economics and sociology during their first year. The lucky few who get scholarships then go to study in France.
In October, 25 high school graduates passed the examination to enable them to study in the SFS under the project.
A maximum of seven students can be selected to receive scholarships to continue their studies in France, while the rest will pursue their higher education in Laos, he said.
The project is offering scholarships to students at the university from 2002 to 2006. So far, 11 students are studying in France under the programme.
Phoumy explained that students wishing to study at the SFS first had to sit an exam when they completed high school. After their first year of study they had to take another exam to compete for a scholarship to go to France.
"We give the entrance exams in French, in mathematics and biology, for those intending to further their studies in France," said Phoumy.
The SFS takes students from all over the country, but most of them come from Vientiane. A lot of the students come from Vientiane Secondary School, because there is a strong French programme there, he said.
Source: vientianetimes.org.la
photo: yma2.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Abroad/France/Paris/Gate-01.jpg
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