E. Timor offers scholarships

DILI, East Timor: The government will hand out over Rp 2 billion (US$854,700) in scholarships to 8,702 students during the current fiscal year, an official said yesterday.

The scholarships will be offered to elementary and high school students in the province's 13 regencies, said Andri Sutardi of the provincial ministry of education and culture.

The fund is part of the money the provincial government earmarked to improve education in the former Portuguese colony, Andri said.

On top of the regular scholarships, the central government's Supersemar Foundation provides scholarships for another 600 vocational school students in East Timor, Antara reported. (pan)