Fifty-five Students Leave For Russia

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Monday October 18, 2010 00:00

The acting ambassador of the Russian Federation in Botswana, Anatoly Ptitsa, said at the orientation meeting in Gaborone last week that the Russian government grants African countries more than 800 state scholarships annually. 

He said that this year Russia granted 14 scholarships to SADC countries and that five people from Botswana were granted government scholarships. 

The Russian government contributes 80 percent of costs for tuition and accommodation. 

The Botswana government will be responsible for only 20 percent of the costs in travel expenses, medical insurance and living allowance. 'This is a joint effort between the two governments,' he said.

The Russian government will be paying tuition and accommodation fees for 45 students. They will be fully accountable for their own travel, medical and leaving allowance.

Ptitsa says that the Russian higher education gives students a unique chance to choose from more than 500 specialities, which are in great demand around the world. 

'Among them are medicine, engineering, economics, management, international relations and information technology,' he said. 

When advising students on general issues, Head of Consul Section at the Embassy of the Russian Embassy, Anton Chirva said that they should go and keep out of trouble by 'following simple rules of common sense'.

Lindiwe Modise from Mochudi is one of the lucky students who will be off to Russia.  The 18-year-old has always dreamt of 'leaving the continent to a more developed place'. 

She will be studying microbiology in Moscow and she intends to work in the health department when she comes back. 'I am also interested in starting my own food franchise,' she said. 

Lebogang Mamapilo, also from Mochudi, will be going to study dentistry.  She is very excited about the sponsorship and hopes to be successful with her studies.