2004 Press Releases

U.S. Embassy Announces Scholarship Opportunities

June 17, 2004

The United States Embassy is currently accepting applications from qualified nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to pursue two-year Master’s degree programs in the United States under The Fulbright 2000 Program.

Unlike traditional U.S. Government funded Fulbright scholarships (which have been in existence for over fifty (50) years), The Fulbright 2000 Program, now in its fourth year, is entirely dependent on contributions from local and multinational corporations operating in Trinidad and Tobago and the government of Trinidad and Tobago, with matching funds provided from the U.S. in the form of tuition waivers at U.S. universities. This program is unique to Trinidad and Tobago.

At a reception held recently at the Normandie Hotel on June 3, United States Ambassador Dr. Roy L. Austin reiterated his Embassy’s commitment to keeping this special program alive. He said that since the program’s inception a mere four years ago, a total of eighteen (18) corporate sponsors including the government of Trinidad and Tobago, by virtue of their support and commitment to the development of Trinidad and Tobago, had already committed a total of one million, three hundred and seventy thousand dollars (US$1,370,00) to the program. Ambassador Austin stated that this was a phenomenal achievement and made a plea to corporations that were not currently involved in the program to seriously consider supporting it.

To date, twenty-four (24) future leaders of Trinidad and Tobago have benefited from these scholarships.

The corporate sponsors for the upcoming 2005-2007 program cycle and the fields of study that they have selected for their scholarships leading to Master’s degrees are:

· Atlantic LNG Co. of Trinidad and Tobago – Scholarship field: LLM, Energy Law Candidates who possess an LLB and a Legal Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School are encouraged to apply

· Bechtel International, Inc. – Scholarship field: Construction and Civil Engineering

· The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago – Scholarship field: Development Economics/Trade

· Tucker Energy Services Ltd. – Scholarship field: Petroleum Engineering

· Applications will also be accepted from persons who wish to pursue an MBA in Finance

Fulbright 2000 applications for 2-year scholarships in the above-named fields will be accepted until July 26, 2004. Application forms are available from the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section, 7-9 Marli Street, Port of Spain, or, please e-mail: gregoirej@state.gov for information on applying online.

In addition, the Embassy is currently accepting applications for the following Fulbright scholarships:

Foreign Student Program – For graduate study in the area of Social Sciences and the Humanities – Deadline for Applications: July 31, 2004

Hubert H. Humphrey Program – A non-degree program for Professional Development in a variety of fields. Humphrey Fellows may be recruited from both the public and private sector. At least five-years working experience and a first degree are required for this scholarship. Deadline: September 15, 2004

Caribbean Visiting Researcher Program – Open to independent scholars, professionals and university professors for research in the U.S., between May 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005. Deadline: August 2, 2005

All persons holding a Bachelor’s Degree and who have earned excellent academic records are invited to apply for these scholarships.

Only the most serious of applications will be considered.

The completed applications must be delivered to the Public Affairs Section NO LATER THAN 5:00 p.m. on the deadline dates listed above.

Further information on the above Fulbright scholarship offerings is available from the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section, 7-9 Marli Street, Port of Spain, or by e-mailing: gregoirej@state.gov