Cuba denies students U.S. scholarships

Cuba denies students U.S. scholarships
Pupils not allowed out of country
By Wilfredo Cancio Isla
McClatchy Newspapers
Posted: 09/05/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT

MIAMI — The Cuban government has denied exit permits to about 30 Cuban
college students who had been offered U.S. government-funded
scholarships for academic programs at American academic institutions.

Not only did the students lose the chance to attend classes for free in
the United States, but some also were accused of ideologically losing
their way and were expelled from their colleges in Cuba. Those who were
members of the Communist Youth Union were booted out, several students said.

"I've been told that I have been expelled from the university and that I
have a hearing pending with the Communist Youth, where I am to receive a
temporary sanction due to the fact that, in self-criticism, I
acknowledged having applied for the scholarship," wrote a student selected.

The student, who asked to remain anonymous, said there is deep
frustration among the selected students.

"Our state of mind couldn't be worse. We feel unprotected. Nobody will
defend us nor challenge the Cuban government to claim our right to
exercise the option any university student in the world has," the young
woman said from Havana.

This was the first year that Cuban students were included in the U.S.
State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program,
which provides scholarships for students throughout the world to attend
American universities.

When word of the scholarships got out in Cuba, the U.S. Interests
Section in Havana was deluged with more than 750 applications.

"We were disappointed in the government of Cuba not allowing Cuban
students to participate in our education programs," said a U.S. State
Department official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive
nature of the incident. "We had gotten the word out about the programs
through pamphlets and word of mouth . . . and the candidates were
selected based on merit. When we tried to explain that, they said, 'No,
we don't know who these kids are, and so we're saying no to all of them.'

"It was a real opportunity to try something different. It was a missed
opportunity."

The U.S. State Department noted, however, that the Cuban government did
not rule out participation in the future.

The students could have attended a one-year community college program in
fields such as agricultural science, business management, information
technology, communications and journalism.

The universities were in Arizona, Tennessee and Idaho.

Cuba denies students U.S. scholarships - The Denver Post (5 September 2009)
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13273767?source=rss