I wonder how many of the winners have parents that work in the administration of LF? I dont think they advertised applications here in Maimon. Makes me sad.

This should be a national scholarship administered by a third party --- like private companies do.

If this was non competitive it would be a shame

A typical remark here that seeks to muddy a good story ..why do you not congratulate the students and wish them good luck and speak well of those students who have reached a standard to be accepted in universities abroad.
on behalf of all fair minded Dominicans I wish them all well and hope when they return they can use their studies and experiences to the advantage of themselves, their families and the Domincan people

Ricardolito, You find out how they got this chance and let me know. I would like to nominate someone who should have gotten one. But when I asked them, they NEVER even heard of this program.

They asked their teachers and supposed guidance consular and they knew nothing.

Nothing, in the DR is left untarnished by corruption, nothing.

gmiller I feel you are correct. This was not done fairly through our school system in Santiago and this is a place where these offers should be available to the public. We need to get the world news bodies more involved in reporting DR related news to bring all of this out into the worlds public view on a daily basis.

gmiller261,.................They need to call El Despacho de la Primera Dama Magarita Cedeño de Fernandez to have their names on the list. Or may be call *462 toll free call to all the goverments agencies for more information. Because it is not going to happen if they are sitting in the corner with their bodies drinking beer or Rum or Listining to to Reggaeton.

Students whatever you do don't study medicine, if plan to come back to DR, you know how much Lie-onel Fernandez appreciates doctors and nurses.

Thanks bernies I will.

thats great, the country's best and brightest (if they arent family of politicians, etc.,) are going to get a first rate education abroad so when they come back and stay.....COME BACK, and STAY?!

gmiller,

I am with you on this one, based on past experience and opportunities that I know were reserved for the more priviledged ones. It happens all the time in DR, and no matter how optimistic or well-intentioned we might want to be, it is dominican reality.

I would be that if a list were published, it would consist mostly of connected and even affluent people, except for a few token individuals.

Josean, can you dig up a list?

Dr. Strangelove,

As soon as I get the studies for the METRO, I will jump right on it!

The interesting fact, in addition to finding out if the scholarships were given on the basis of merit rather than social status and political connections, would be how many of the 1200 students are products of the public school system or the private system.

I am all for supporting higher education, I am indirectly involved in providing opportunities for those who in the past, were given no opportunity.

That being said...I would like to see those who accept a foriegn education be required to serve at least 10 years in their country, before seeking the higher paying positions abroad. This would have a great impact in the advancement of this country.

Unfortunately, if they have any potential, they will be sucked into the global marketplace, never to be seen again on these shore, except for the occasional vacation.

That ,Mike, is a fact of life and being a scholarship recipient myself many years ago the temptation is to accept the highest paid positions no matter where they are .We are so lucky that here in la Romana there are a good number of first class Dominican doctors working in the hospitals who have had university training in USA and other countries ...similarly there are Dominican dentists in the capital who trained overseas and have good practices here.
And also , Josean , it is a fact of life in most countries that the percentage of recipients is greater in private schools for a variety of reasons ..There are better facilities and teachers and libraries in the private schools not just here but in most countries and the students have less family work and responsibilities ..but the good thing is that private schools also have scholarships here in the DR that are awarded very fairly to less well off students ,,and in la Romana the Lincoln College is a great example.

So the goodies keep circulating among those who already have the goodies.

As soon as I get the studies for the METRO - really please let me know - what happened with the reporter and the plans?

Equality of opportunity is seldom offered to every one anywhere. It is never easy to climb the ladder but normally talent is recognised,admired and promoted even amongst the poorest people.

PuntaMike,

DR would be better off if recent graduates don't repatriate immediately upon graduation.

Getting practical experience and accumulating wealth overseas would be more beneficial to them and country. When they eventually return, they will bring both useful experience and wealth for investing.

Besides, what industry would absorb these individuals? I was an aerospace engineer, who then went into corporate R&D, then advance engineering in alternative energy. How could someone like me be absorbed into local economy?

I was lucky that my family had a lucrative export/import and shipping business in DR and I could have gone into the family business, but like my siblings, none of us wanted any part of it. We are all professionals in different areas. Sister has PhD in Pharmaceutical Science; bother has Computer Science degree; myself, Mechanical Engineering. Nowhere to go in DR.

Should we have sacrificed dreams?

glomarexplorer, the DR needs your family to accumulate wealth so no one can use that as a way to corrupt you.

Then go back to the DR and run the place.

All the old cronies have to go, their corruption is inbred and they think they are entitled to it.

gmiller,

Call of motherland is very strong for us all, almost too strong to resist.

Parents need to go back because they miss country, friends and family. Problems is increasing crime rate, corruption and adequate and accessible medical service. We go back and forth on this but, in the end, parents are going back. They wish to die and rest on dominican soil. That's how it must be. Period.