Norwegian envoy to meet with Iloilo Paraw Regatta organizers
The Ambassador of Norway to the Philippines Stale Torstein Risa will meet with the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Inc. organizers and Ms. Marilou Arcelo, president of John B. Lacson University, next month for a possible help in the foundation's proposed scholarship program for dependents of Paraw Regatta racers.
Iloilo Paraw Regatta Chair Manuel Villa Jr. said Ambassador Risa will be accompanied by heads of foreign shipping companies which employs Filipino seaman. He said this is the first time that the foundation will meet with the Norwegian envoy. The same meeting was facilitated by Arcelo, whose maritime school had been noted for its competence and quality for years. The meeting is set on April 2, 2007.
Currently, a Norwegian shipping company is already extending scholarship programs to students of John B. Lacson University. The foundation hopes to get the same support to the incoming maritime students that they will send to school comes June enrollment. JBLU has produced a number of quality seafarers which made a name in the maritime industry not only in the Philippines but the entire world.
Villa said the foundation is contemplating of supporting 600 students who will take maritime courses at the John B. Lacson University. The plans for the scholarship program for students is still being ironed out. The recipients will be assessed according to their grades and the financial capabilities of their parents. Students will be classified into full scholar and half-scholar.
Of the 600 proposed scholars, this early, the university management through Ms. Arcelo intends to shoulder 50 percent of the tuition fees of the qualified and deserving students. The scholarship program for dependents of Paraw Regatta racers is a joint project of the foundation and the John B. Lacson University.
It will mean more work if the students will graduate from their chosen maritime courses. This will generate more jobs and income. And more dollars for the country, said Villa. The foreign remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers had been a great contributing factor for the economy of the country.