Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Kelly Grants English Microscholarships

June 24, 2009

Access Microscolarship Program at ICANA

Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Kelly awarded on June 24 English microscholarship certificates to 100 Argentine underprivileged students ranging in age from 14 to 16. The students were selected from 27 public schools in the city of Buenos Aires to participate in the “Access Microscolarship Program” at Argentine-US Cultural Institute (ICANA) locations. 

The award ceremony was held at ICANA and was attended by the President of ICANA’s Board Enrique Pinedo, Academic Director Vivian Morghen, City of Buenos Aries Minister of Education Mariano Narodowski, City of Buenos Aires Ministry of Education Foreign Languages Coordinator Marcela Roge, Deputy Director of Social Inclusion and Pedagogical Coordination Ana Maria Raviglia, Director General for Education and State Management Maria Leticia Piacenza, student’s parents and relatives.

Mr. Kelly thanked ICANA’s staff for the work done to plan and implement Access microscholarships and highlighted their commitment to help students develop their potential as they build bridges between the United States and Argentina.  

“I firmly believe there is nothing more important than investing in our youth to provide  them with  the necessary tools to succeed in today’s globalized world and without doubt, the English language is one of those key tools.” said Chargé d’Affaires Kelly.

* About the Program
 

The English Access Microscholarship Program is one of the latest programs sponsored by the U.S. Embassy with ICANA’s partnership. 

The program, launched in Argentina this year for the first time, grants a total of 300 scholarships to study two years at selected binational centers. The scholarship includes the English course, language laboratory classes, study material, cultural activities, access to the Lincoln Center’s Library and travel stipends. The City of Buenos Aires Ministry of Education participated in  reaching out and communication to schools.

The Microshcolarship program not only provides a foundation of English language skills to this underprivileged students but also gives them the opportunity to gain appreciation for American culture and democratic values and improve chances of participating in U.S. educational and exchange programs.

Since its inception in 2004, more than 44,000 students in 55 countries have participated in the Access Microscholarship Program