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PLEASE NOTE: for official information, specific details, and updated deadlines and instructions, please check the organization's website and current application forms; if you have problems or questions, please contact us.
Deadlines:
- Deadline for 2009 is end of March 2009
Description:
BEST offers 4 options: partial scholarship, two different university programmes, computer for university:
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The Burma Educational Scholarship Trust, Scotland (BEST) was set up in 2003 to address primarily the needs of Burmese students studying in Thailand and in the UK, whose hopes and dreams of higher education were disrupted due to ongoing political instability inside Burma.
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The main purpose of this programme is to support, in cooperation with like-minded organisations, disadvantaged students from the diverse communities living inside and outside their motherland, to achieve their academic goals, equipping them with skills required for a peaceful reconciliation and transformation of Burma.
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Grants will be awarded on the basis of academic record; applicant’s long-term goals; and financial need. Specifically, grants are given to:
students who not only meet the programme criteria but who have already demonstrated a willingness and commitment to utilise their academic knowledge, skills and experience to return to work on an ongoing basis for the democratic, social and economic rebirth of Burma, by whatever means they can.
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The BEST programme has been specifically designed to provide a source of additional supplementary funds, to students who are enrolled in academic programmes at accredited colleges, universities, and community colleges leading to a degree (BA, MA, PhD, etc) in Thailand and the UK in order to help cover their academic and living costs.
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In 2009, in addition to supplementary scholarship, students studying in Thailand will be considered for a one-off grant of a lap top computer to aid their studies. Applications will be considered in parallel to the scholarship process with the same criteria of previous community work being the prime factor for a successful application.
- Whilst you may not be successful in getting a scholarship, you may still be eligible for receiving a computer, dependent on your course of studies.
- It’s a supplementary grant, usually of maximum $500US to $600US. It will not cover all your costs:
- Tuition fees: normally, not to exceed 10% of tuition and fees per academic year.
- Living expenses: Students who have succeeded in funding their tuition, either through scholarships, academic bursaries/fee waivers, or through their own financial means will be eligible for additional, partial accommodation and living costs.
- Other: Students who have secured all necessary funds but cannot afford additional expenses, such as books, materials, health insurance, transportation to and from school, will be eligible for additional funds. This may cover contribution towards the purchase of computer equipment, airfares or specialist equipment, but will not substitute essential funding, such as airfares, if these are not covered at least in part by your main sponsor. Sadly, we cannot grant assistance, to support an accompanying child or partner.
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The Burma Educational Scholarship Trust was set up in 2003 to support, in cooperation with like minded organizations, disadvantaged students from the diverse communities living inside and outside their motherland, to achieve their academic goals, equipping them with skills required for a peaceful reconciliation and transformation of Myanmar.
-
Grants will be awarded on the basis of academic record, applicant’s long term goals, and financial need. Specifically grants are given to students who not only meet the program criteria but who have demonstrated a willingness and commitment to utilize their academic knowledge to return to work on an ongoing basis for the democratic, social and economic development of Myanmar, by whatever means they can
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Scholarship grantees are required to maintain student status throughout the period of the grant. Scholarship grants will be distributed on a semester-to-semester basis: upon proof of continued enrollment, GPA, a semester report, an accurate account detailing all the student’s income/expenditure as estimated in the application
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BEST operate a fully funded one year residential University Access Course for Burmese refugee students registered in the UK studying in at Newbattle Abbey College in Edinburgh. So far three refugee students have benefited from this programme and are going on to study at University in Scotland.
- A fully funded post graduate programme exists for a Burmese refugee registered in the UK in the Faculty of Theology and Politics at St Andrews University in Scotland: The "BEST Prospect Research Fellowship" will allow the successful applicant to study to Doctorate level over three years.
Eligibility and Restrictions:
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Proof of your Burmese origin: for example high school documents from Myanmar
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No age restrictions
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You must have a matching fund which means a source of money already guaranteed for university. Matching funds may include: partial/full tuition fees, living costs, accommodation or other types of financial aid (family support, part-time job etc.). This will be monitored in close cooperation with other award making bodies. You list on your application the other organizations you applied to and BEST will contact them to see if you have been granted any scholarship.
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Candidates must demonstrate in their application statement a proficiency in the spoken and written language used in the syllabus of their host university, which is verified by their academic referee.
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Only students who are enrolled in full time study at an accredited university, college or community college leading to a degree (Bachelors, Masters, PhDs) are eligible
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Preference will be given to students pursuing their studies in the following fields:
- Public Health and Medical Science
- Environmental Policy
- Social Policy: Law, Social Work etc.
- Physics, Biology, Chemistry etc.
- Fine and Performing Arts
- Education
- Economic Policy
- Engineering and Architecture
- Mathematics
- Cultural Studies
Application Procedure:
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Students will be chosen by ability, in an open annual selection process, through an initial email questionnaire. If successful, you will be invited to apply in writing, submitting two essays. A panel of experts will make all grant decisions based on the quality of the application, academic records, a written statement outlining future goals, proven commitment to community-based education and development and recommendation letters.
Required Attachments:
coming soon...
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