Students from the Malvinas Islands will be able to access a scholarship program that was launched jointly by the Argentine National Ministry of Education, the Secretariat for the Malvinas Islands, Antarctica and the South Atlantic and six universities in Patagonia. These scholarships offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses so that islanders can continue their studies at Argentine national universities.
During the launch ceremony, the Secretary for the Malvinas Islands, Antarctica and the South Atlantic, Daniel Filmus, highlighted that "this program is part of a State policy on the Malvinas Question, to strengthen ties with the inhabitants of the islands." The Argentine Education Minister, Nicolás Trotta, underlined "the commitment to develop all educational policies that will help strengthen the bond with the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands, since they have the full right of access to the national educational system ”.
The proposal, made within the framework of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 'Communications Agreement' of 1971, seeks to resume the policy started in 2015 with a scholarship program that takes into account Argentina’s commitment to respect the interests of the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands, as proposed in that Agreement.
Filmus also underlined that “this program is part of the State policies carried out by the government of President Alberto Fernández, that has once again placed the Malvinas Question among its highest priorities and in the proposals of the National Council for Matters Relating to the Malvinas Islands, aimed at the recovery of the full exercise of national sovereignty over the islands ”.
The "Thomas Bridges" scholarship program is in line with the provisions of U.N. General Assembly resolution 2065 (XX), as well as the will of the National Government and national educational institutions, to establish better relationships with the inhabitants of the islands.
The secretary for University Policies, Jaime Perczyck and the rectors of the University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Carlos Manuel De Marziani; the University of Río Negro, Juan Carlos Del Bello; the University of La Pampa, Oscar Daniel Alpa; the University of Southern Patagonia, Hugo Santos Rojas; the University of Comahue, Gustavo Víctor Crisafulli; and the University of Tierra del Fuego, Daniel Fernández, also participated in the launching ceremony.
Also present at the virtual meeting were the Director of the Malvinas Museum, Edgardo Esteban, the President of the National Agency for the Promotion of Research, Technological Development and Innovation, Fernando Peirano, national senator María Eugenia Duré, the Secretary of the Malvinas Islands, Antarctica, South Atlantic Islands and International Affairs of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Andrés Dachary, and the Secretary of Human Rights of the CECIM La Plata Ex-Combatants Center, Ernesto Alonso.
The program, that aims to strengthen the links between the inhabitants of the Islands and the continent, offers a wide range of courses from the National University of La Pampa, the National University of Rio Negro, the National University of Comahue, the National University of the Patagonia San Juan Bosco, the National University of Southern Patagonia and the National University of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands.
Background
In accordance with the provisions of United Nations General Assembly resolution 2065 (XX) and Argentina’s commitment to respect the interests of the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands, in 1971 Argentina and the United Kingdom agreed on the "Joint Declaration regarding communications between the Malvinas Islands and the Argentine mainland", called "Communications Agreement". Though said agreement, a series of practical measures were adopted to facilitate the movement of people and goods between the continent and the islands in both directions, promoting the establishment of cultural, social and economic ties.
After the Agreement, the relationship between the islanders and the continent was maximized to the point that the inhabitants of the Malvinas went to the continent to study, to recieve medical treatment and to carry out other activities. Also, Argentine Spanish teachers went to the islands to teach the language, sent by the Argentine government.
In the field of education, a policy of school scholarships was set up for the population of the islands. It included the possibility of enrolling and pursuing primary and secondary studies. They were given free residence, medical and dental insurance, flights to and from the Islands along with a companion and the necessary educational material, including books and supplies.