Best 50 students were awarded merit scholarships

The best 50 students from 10 higher education institutions in Moldova reached the final of the contest “2012 Merit Scholarships” and obtained a 12,000 lei scholarship each. The students were handed their prizes during a ceremony at the Palace of the Republic on Monday evening, December 24, Info-Prim Neo reports. The 17th edition of contest attracted 258 applications from 20 institutions. After the evaluation of application files and of the candidates’ performance during the interviews in a foreign language, 35 undergraduate students in terminal years and 15 master’s degree students were selected. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that the organization of the contest for merit scholarships is an important exercise for motivation and for ensuring a competitive framework. “I congratulate you on your performances and I bid you a lot of perseverance. May you successfully finish your studies and become good professionals”, said Vlad Filat. Director of the University Info Center Angela Muset said that it is important that yearly, for 17 editions, the country’s best students are rewarded. She thinks that the experience they gain in this contest and in similar competitions and challenges makes them more confident in themselves and in their capacities. The “Merit Scholarships” program was launched in 1996 at the initiative of Soros Moldova foundation in order to encourage academic, scientific and extra-curricular performance of Moldovan students. The contest is organized by the University Info Center under the supervision of the Council of Rectors of Moldova, with the financial support of Moldova Agroindbank and Orange Moldova.