Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A round of interviews is ongoing under the Fund Forum and Mehr nuri Foundation’s Educational Grants Programme for the second week, which is popular with students in Uzbekistan. Over 2,500 applications were submitted this year, and the jury is now at work selecting the most promising applicants. The awards ceremony for programme winners and other youth grant programmes launched by the Fund Forum will be held in November at Tashkent’s Youth Creativity Palace.

The results of nationwide entrance exams were announced in the middle of August. In 2005, the Foundations set up the Educational Grants Programme in an effort to help applicants who enrolled in higher educational institutions on a contract basis. The winners of the Programme will have the tuition for their first year paid by the Foundations. Notably, the most active participants of the project will have the privilege of having the payment for the successive academic years extended.

“I think that the Educational Grants Programme is the only and the best way we can use to make our dream of becoming true professionals come true,” says Zarina Safina, a first-year student at Tashkent State Pedagogical University.

“Last year I emerged as one of the winners of the Educational Grants Programme. I am delighted that I now have an opportunity to study at the institute of my choice,” says Ruzaliya Bodruddinova, a second-year student at Tashkent Medical Pediatrics Institute. “I hope the tuition for my second year at school will be paid this year as well. I’m happy that I was among those found the most promising. I want to encourage everyone to believe in themselves and wish them god luck in pursuing their academic goals.”

Maksuda Rakhmatullayeva, a member of the jury for the Educational Grants Programme:

“Last year a large number of youngsters applied to the Programme and every year we look forward to the interview period because we anticipate meeting with unusual people with new ideas ad projects, people who have the potential to make the world a bit more interesting and bring together peers and like-minded people. Of course, it is not easy to select winners as there are many promising candidates. We rely on certain criteria for selecting the best ones. For example, if it is a conservatory student we ask him to perform something. A choreography student would be asked to perform a dance or to give definitions of certain types of dance. If I feel that the applicant is not up to the mark I try not ask him or her any question and give that opportunity to other fellows in the jury. Naturally, not all these boys and girls will become prominent people but the fact that they are struggling to achieve something is amazing. I wouldn’t change anything in the Programme as I think the mechanism works smooth enough. I wish every single applicant success and I encourage those who don’t get grant not to despair as they can come to Kelajak ovozi YIC and realize their potential.”

Also, a round of interviews is ongoing under the Programme of Scholarships for Talented Students, also set up by the Fund Forum and Mehr nuri Foundation in 2006 and aimed at helping third- and fourth-year students. Over 1,200 students submitted applications for participation in the Programme this year. The names of winners will be announced in November at the Youth Creativity Palace.