THROUGH the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), the US government has partnered with the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to provide higher education opportunities for youth from Myanmar.

According to the US Embassy in Manila, the partnership is through USAid's Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Program (DISP), launched on February 29.

The embassy said the program is a five-year $45-million initiative that will provide Myanmar or Burmese youth the opportunity "to pursue quality higher education in several Asian countries, including the Philippines."

Through this program, USAid, in partnership with CHEd, will provide full scholarships for students from Myanmar to enroll in various public and private universities in the Philippines and online programs through the University of Arizona.

The embassy added that USAid will work closely with CHEd to streamline the admissions process for Burmese students and provide support services to facilitate their transition to studying in Philippine universities.

These universities include the Batangas State University, Lyceum of the Philippines, University-Batangas, St. Louis University in Baguio, University of the Philippines Diliman and UP Los Baños.

The Burmese scholars are expected to arrive in the Philippines by July 2024 to allow them to begin their studies in the coming academic year.

CHEd Chairman J. Prospero de Vera 3rd noted that through their partnership with USAid, the commission is honored to support Burmese youth in higher education.

"We continuously advocate for equitable, quality and inclusive higher education, aiming to empower students from all backgrounds. Together, we're breaking barriers, building bridges and driving transformative change through higher education," de Vera said.

The embassy added that USAid's DISP would provide quality educational opportunities for young community leaders in Myanmar, especially those from marginalized and vulnerable groups.

It said the DISP also offers grants to help higher education institutions in Asia strengthen their capacity to support international students by boosting institutional partnerships, growing regional networks and expanding community service-oriented activities.

USAid Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer said this scholarship program is a strategic investment in higher education institutions in the region.

"It recognizes our shared commitment to education as a catalyst for positive change in Myanmar and around the world," Schiffer said.