FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2019
Ambassador Announces Lincoln Scholarships for Master’s Degrees in U.S.A.
Yangon – Nearly 100 Myanmar young leaders from around the country will receive a high quality graduate education at U.S. universities through the new Lincoln Scholarship program announced U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel today.
“The United States wants to see Myanmar succeed. That’s why we are supporting young leaders from across this country with this new Lincoln Scholarships Program. These scholarships will give talented young professionals the opportunities and tools to shape Myanmar’s future,” said Ambassador Marciel.
He was joined by U Bo Bo Nge, Deputy Governor of Myanmar’s Central Bank. U Bo Bo Nge holds a master’s degree in international economics from Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
The application process begins December 2 for the first group of twenty Lincoln Scholars to begin their studies in 2020. The next groups will begin their graduate studies at U.S. universities in 2021 and 2022.
Universities in the United States offer many graduate degree programs that are not yet available in Myanmar’s universities. Equipping Myanmar’s future leaders with degrees in areas such as food and nutrition science, natural resources management and environmental studies, business, economics, and finance will ensure Myanmar has the technical capacity in its government, private sector, and civil society to lead the people through the increasingly complex issues of the 21st century.
The scholarship program is named after the 16th president of the United States. Abraham Lincoln was born into a poor family far from the seats of power in Washington, DC and New York. Despite his humble background, Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer and a leader. He preserved the unity of the United States during the American Civil War while supporting the rights of the states and peoples of America.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the Institute of International Education (IIE) through 2024 to offer the Lincoln Scholarships. Myanmar’s Thabyay Education Foundation will ensure information about the scholarship opportunity reaches candidates from all ethnic communities throughout Myanmar.
In closing remarks, USAID Acting Mission Director Pamela Fessenden stated, “The Lincoln Scholarship is part of the American people’s on-going commitment to support the people of Myanmar as they pursue inclusive democratic and economic transformation on their journey to self-reliance.”
