This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Administrator J. Brian Atwood
Signing Ceremony for the University of Mobile
Sustainable Development Scholarship Program
San Marcos, Nicaragua, May 9, 1997
U.S. Agency for International Development
I'm delighted and honored to participate in this important
ceremony today. Tomorrow, I will be giving the commencement
address to the first graduating class of the University of Mobile
Latin American Campus, a memorable occasion and a real tribute
to the vision of two University of Mobile professors who,
responding to requests from Nicaraguan friends, spent a summer
here in 1991. Their determination and hard work made their
vision a reality in August of 1993, as the campus opened with a
freshman class of 97 students. The schools curriculum's focus on
economic development will undoubtedly contribute to the
betterment of Nicaraguan society.
Starting a branch campus here was a bold and aggressive
step that has paid off. Nicaraguan students, and others from the
region, now have the opportunity to obtain a quality U.S.
university education in this country. The University is
educating many of Nicaragua's future leaders who will have
grasped the importance of free market economies and mature
democratic institutions that will bring about greater stability and
prosperity to Nicaragua.
As the University has grown, it has increasingly contributed
to advances throughout Nicaraguan society. It has assisted local
governments, worked in historic and cultural landmark
preservation, and helped encourage tourism through its school of
hotel management.
Tomorrow, at the Rubén Darío National Theater in
Managua, 65 students, the first class to graduate, will receive
their degrees. Many of them were able to complete their studies
as a result of the first Sustainable Development Scholarship
Program, granted to the University of Mobile by USAID in 1995.
Today, we are glad to be able to provide an additional $700,000
dollars to the University of Mobile to continue this important
scholarship program through 1999.
This scholarship program assists needy students who
otherwise would be denied the opportunity of receiving a quality
education. For U.S. students, the scholarships complement an
array of financial aid resources available to them at home; for
Nicaraguan students, the scholarships complement a work study
program, the University's Presidential Scholarship, and the San
Marcos Scholarship Fund for students from the community.
Our support to university education is only one component
of USAID's unbending commitment to improving education in
Nicaragua. We recognize that adequate investment in basic
education holds the keys to a literate, competent and prosperous
population. Since 1993, USAID's $30 million Basic Education
project has worked with the Ministry of Education to improve the
quality of primary education provided to Nicaraguan youth. For
the past four years we have seen repetition rates drop and
primary school completion rates improve. These are clear
indications of progress.
USAID supports other scholarship programs that strengthen
Nicaragua's human resource base to help provide a foundation for
the development of a democratic and free society. These
scholarships allow students to benefit from a community college
education in a variety of technical areas at over 25 colleges
throughout the U.S. The program, targeted at poor and
disadvantaged youth has trained over 450 people since 1991.
In addition, USAID's Development Training Project has
provided scholarships to Nicaraguan students locally, regionally,
and in the United States. It has provided a wide variety of short
term training opportunities to 4,500 Nicaraguans in public sector
institutions and non-governmental organizations, improving the
efficiency in the delivery of services to the Nicaraguan people.
These USAID-financed programs are complemented by other
scholarship opportunities for college education provided by public
and private U.S. sources. The Fulbright Scholarship program,
which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996, has granted 178
scholarships since 1990. The Walton Scholarship Program,
supported by the family foundation of the famous Walmart
retailer, is a wonderful example of a private initiative to promote
peace, linkages between countries, and respect for democracy and
economic freedom. Since 1990 it has provided 40 full
scholarships for undergraduate studies.
Nicaragua today, through much hard work, has established a
sound economic framework to enjoy growth, job creation, and
poverty reduction. USAID is investing in human capital
development so that program beneficiaries have the education
necessary to take advantage of the opportunities for the greater
prosperity that this generation will have. We think that our
assistance program has enjoyed considerable success. However,
there is still much to do. Only Nicaraguans can resolve their problems -- through a
well-prepared human resource base and the development of the
political will that only Nicaraguans can, and must, supply. These
will be the challenges that students from this university -- future
professionals -- will face after their graduation. USAID is proud
to continue its involvement with the Unversity of Mobile shaping
Nicaragua's future leaders. Thank you.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 18, 2001
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