New APEC initiative eases access to scholarships, internships abroad

CLARK FREEPORT - Students and professionals in the Asia-Pacific region will soon have greater access to scholarships and internships overseas.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation on Saturday launched its new Scholarship and Internship Initiative which seeks to expand access to cross-border education and training.

The new initiative aggregates sponsored study and career development exchanges offered by universities and companies in APEC member economies and facilitates coordination among governments, higher learning institutions and companies in the region.

During their two-day meeting at Clark, Pampanga, senior officials of the 21 APEC member economies opened an online portal where students and professionals can now file their applications.

"Our goal is to maximize opportunities afforded by globalization to strengthen people's employability and earning potential," said Dr. Alan Bollard, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. "We are particularly intent on empowering youth and women to narrow economic inequalities and drive new growth."

The APEC Scholarship Initiative was introduced during a meeting of APEC trade ministers in China last May and endorsed by the region's leaders in November.

It was announced then that the initiative will provide new APEC-branded scholarship and internship opportunities and will also provide links to major websites on other existing scholarships in the region.

The initiative is seen to bring APEC economies closer to its 2020 target of one million intra-APEC university-level students every year.

"Broadening access to education, training and skills is needed to mitigate the threat of skilled labor shortages due to unfolding demographic changes around the Asia-Pacific, naming aging populations and lower birthrates," Bollard said.

"Candidates with overseas experience are in many cases viewed more favorably by firms seeking future leaders with a global outlook," he added.