ISLAMABAD:
For the first time, Pakistanis are being offered scholarships to study in Brazil. The awards are being offered under the First Degree University Students (PEC-G) programme as a result of a cultural agreement between the two countries.
This year, 63 Brazilian universities will participate in the programme and while an array of courses are available, the most popular amongst foreigners are medicine, engineering, business administration and international relations. Brazil has been offering students from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean undergraduate scholarships since the 1960s and post-graduate courses since 1980.
This information was shared at a press conference on Tuesday. There are around 2,700 foreigners studying on scholarships in Brazil, with students required to go back to their countries after completing their studies.
“This requirement to serve their country of origin upon graduation is proof that this is not a brain drain scholarship project but one that actually aims to help developing countries benefit from their human capital,” Brazilian envoy Alfredo Leoni told The Express Tribune.
The ambassador, also the honorary president of the Pak-Brazil Friendship Association, said that Brazil is multi-cultural country welcoming all. He added that there is a strong Muslim community and a number of mosques where prayers can be offered. “According to recent studies, Brazil is one of the happiest countries in the world.”
Candidates for the scholarship programme must be aged between 18 and 25 and have finished secondary education. Interested candidates can apply at the Brazilian embassy till June 29 where counsellors are available to help with application process.
Even though amenities such as living expenses and accommodation are not given to students under PEC-G, if students are unable to meet these expenses they can apply for financial aid from another programme, the Milton Santos Project for Access to Higher Education once they are in Brazil. This programme gives a monthly minimum wage to selected students from the PEC-G program.
Leoni said there are other avenues available to students for aid. “The universities [also] give need-based grants to students in the form of meal plans and lodging.”
More information about the scholarships can be found on www.embassyofbrazil.com.pk
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.
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On the other hand for the science without boarders or any other program backed by Brazilian scholarship to work, my country has to change current legislation about validation of foreign degrees. Brazil lesgislation is too broad and unequal about that. As an example, I would cite my wife. She attended an american university for B.S. in nursing. Currently, she is a MRN and teaches at two illinois colleges. USP of Brazil denied to validate her degree. Consequently, she could not work in Brazil. Only 30% of a foreign degrees that is entered for validation at University of Sao Paulo are validated. It is a huge shame. Search google for revalidacao ilegal and be informed.