The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) has completed the application process and is encouraging applicants to be on the lookout for emails to confirm that they have been awarded a scholarship.
According to a release posted to the GOAL Facebook page, it has started notifying persons to indicate whether they have been awarded scholarships to study through the online university. The post stated, “GOAL’s team has commenced the notification process of emailing successful applicants on the next step in their academic journey through online distance learning.” In the post, GOAL advises persons who applied, to check their emails, including their junk and spam, for further details. Public Service Minister Sonia Parag yesterday told this newspaper that a release explaining all the final decisions will be shared by her ministry.
GOAL is an institution which was created by the PPP/C administration as part of its manifesto to provide 20,000 online scholarships over the next five years.
The awardees of the scholarships will study online at five accredited and recognised institutions – the Indira Gandhi Open University, the Jain University, the University of Applied Sciences, the University of Southern Caribbean, and the University of the West Indies Open Campus.
The Public Service and Education ministries spearheaded the application and selection process, which saw over 8,500 applications being submitted following the launch of the scholarship programme. The ministers previously said that GOAL was expected to create a panel which will include Dr Jacob Opadeyi, GOAL’s Director. Education Minister Priya Manickchand also told this newspaper that the applications were processed according to each applicant’s submissions. They were then sent to the Ministry of Public Services for the scholarships to be awarded.
According to Parag, the scholarships are awarded based on a shortlist, which is being prepared by the Ministry of Education, applicants are expected to meet several criteria decided by her ministry which will determine whether or not they receive a scholarship. She also informed that special attention will be placed on regional balance so as to ensure citizens in the hinterland and rural communities are well served.
