From graders, we are often asked what we want to be when we grow up. Some want to be a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, an artist, a pilot, an attorney, and many others. But, the sad fact that studying to pursue your dreams in college is unclear. Upon entering or finishing the course that you badly want or need, you have to exert money and effort. Mostly, the main problem is the money to pay for tuition fees and other necessities in school. Nowadays, the government, universities, and other non-government organizations offer scholarship programs for worthy students.

The Palaweños’ has an opportunity to be a scholar in China. A big step towards their dreams.

On March 8, 2021, the Technical Working Group of Hainan University representatives informed Mr. Arnaldo Ventura, the Officer In Charge (OIC) Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Palawan. They gladly told Mr. Ventura that they would be accepting a new batch of scholars for the Hainan Scholarship Program.

The Technical Working Group representatives, Ms. Karen Grace Seville at Ms. Eryln Anticano, said that the scholars would have a chance to study in China, particularly at the Hainan University. The Province of Hainan granted the Program with Hainan Normal University’s help as a sisterhood between their province extending into the island of Palawan.

The Hainan Scholarship Program will grant ten scholars from Palawan. The scholarship coverage will be the full tuition fee, accommodation fee, living allowance, comprehensive medical insurance expenses, and one round trip flight from Palawan to Haikou. The scholars will be required to study the one-year Chinese language lesson as part of the scholarship. They must pass the HSK examination level following the requirements of the Program to be enrolled.

The list of Course programs accepted for Scholarship is Bachelor’s Degree Program (aged below 30 yo; HSK Level 4), Master’s Degree Program (aged below 35 yo; HSK Level 5), and Doctoral Degree Program (aged below 40 yo; HSK Level 6).

The examination on March 23 and 24 went smoothly and accordingly. Meanwhile, due to the rising numbers of COVID19 cases in Puerto Princesa, the last day of assessment was supposed to happen on March 25, was postponed to April 5, Monday. It will be held in VJR, Capitol Complex in Puerto Princesa City. The exam will start from 9 am until 11 am, while the passers’ interview will be from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. The examination does not apply for registration or examination fee. But the aspiring students are advised to bring at least one valid ID, a 2x2 ID picture or passport size and, a ballpen. They are also encouraged to wear proper face masks, face shields and apply social distancing to implement the government’s safety and health protocols in the Province of Palawan. The Scholarship Program will allow the Palaweño’s to study outside the country, learn the Chinese language, experience their culture, and visit different places in China.