Those five I degree winners of the “Merit Scholarships” contest organized by the Universitary Information Center will also benefit of gifts on behalf of the president Vladimir Voronin. The head of state promised them, on Thursday, 25 May, at the scholarships’ awarding ceremony, about 3,000 lei and a performing computer, additionally to 7,000 lei for the I degree award. Those 5 awarded students of I degree are Diana Bumbu, Medicine and Pharmacy University “N. Testemiteanu”, Cristina Gherasimov, State University of Moldova, Veronica Moscalu, Pedagogic University „Alecu Russo” from Balti, Denis Lebeda, Political Studies and International Relations Institute, and Ina Supac, ULIM. President Voronin noted at the ceremony that he welcomes the organizing of this contest and called on the organizers to promote further young talents. He showed his willingness to do whatever he could to contribute to promoting youngsters and supporting young families and determining them to work in Moldova and not abroad. The rectors of those 10 universities of Moldova participated and awarded the winners, students of which won Merit scholarships. They were selected out of 338 students from 20 universities, who submitted their files. USM had at this edition of the „Merit Scholarships” contest the biggest number of awarded students – 14 out of 47. UMF “N. Testemiteanu” and ULIM – 7 awarded students each, Technical University – 6, Academy of Economic Studies and Political Studies Institute - 4 students etc. At the awarding ceremony, 5 students got I degree scholarships, about 7,000 lei each, 12 – II degree scholarship, about 5,000 lei, and other 30 students –III degree scholarship, 3,000 lei. The Soros-Moldova Foundation started the «Merit Scholarship» contest back in 1996. The Program was launched for encouraging the academic, scientific and extra-curricular performances of the students from Moldova. Beginning with 2001, this initiative was supported by BC „Moldova-Agroindbank”, and starting 2004 - by Company „Voxtel”. Since 2003, the „Merit Scholarships” contest is organized under the auspices of Rectors Council of Moldova. During those 11 editions of the contest, over 780 students benefited of Merit scholarships, and the awarding ceremony became an important event in the university life of Moldova. „Moldova-Agroindbank” provided cards for the winners, where their scholarships were transferred, „Voxtel” offered them telephonic cards „Tempo”, and the Soros-Moldova Foundation – books.