The Central State office for Croats Abroad has awarded 215 Croatian language-learning scholarships. The state office is “ a central state administration body competent for the relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia.” The scholarships are part of an effort by the Central State Office for Croats Abroad to “care for the preservation and strengthening of the identity of the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia, [develop] establishment, maintenance and promotion of the relations with the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia, [and maintain] strengthening of cooperation with the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia and elaboration of the communication strategy for the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia.
The scholarship announcement comes after the announcement for the scholarship last May. The requirements were as stated: “The main goals of this project are to strengthen the educational and scientific capabilities of the Croatian community abroad, strengthen the roles of educated individuals in their local communities, and promote the involvement of Croats abroad in Croatian social and political life. Based on the May 23rd 2012 “Rulebook of scholarships” for students in the Republic of Croatia, the State office for Croats abroad grants scholarships to members of the Croatian community abroad to study in high schools and universities in Croatia. Scholarships may be obtained through public tender, according to determined criteria. Successful applicants attending high schools and universities in Croatia can be accommodated in the University of Zagreb student dormitories, which have a total of 80 beds allocated for students with residency abroad. These rights are regulated by the State Office Rulebook which determines the rights and obligations for students placed in the dormitory.”
The scholarships awarded top last year’s numbers with an addition of 93 recipients. Many recipents are from South America, With Argentina and Chile taking in many of the awards.
