152 get scholarships for foreign studies

The Federal Government has awarded 152 students scholarships to study abroad.The beneficiaries are those selected for the 2011/2012 academic session.The government said the scholarships were aimed at boosting manpower development as part of its transformation agenda.Awardees are to study in various critical areas of the nations economy in friendly countries under the Federal Governments Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship Scheme.Speaking at an orientation programme for successful awardees departing to Russia and Ukraine, in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, appealed to them to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.She urged them to avoid behaviour that would portray Nigeria in bad light.She said, Let me state here that to whom much is given, much is expected. We have gathered you here to urge you to keep the flag flying, just as your predecessors have done in the past.You have to be morally and academically sound, remain focused and dedicated to your studies as you know that hard work never goes unrewarded.The minister reminded the awardees that as clearly indicated in their award letters, there was no room for repetition or extension of scholarship awards.She said, Therefore, it is a must that you work hard and be of good conduct to finish your studies at good time.Nigeria had for the purpose of scholarship exchange, research and fellowship plans, entered into bilateral educational agreements with China, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Ukraine, Russia, Greece, Cuba, Czech Republic, Serbia, Poland, Macedonia and Romania.Rufai, noted that as at 2010, Nigeria had a total of 460 scholars in various BEA countries studying in different fields, including Medicine, Oil & Gas Engineering, Geology, Aeronautic Engineering, Communication and Humanities, under the scheme.
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