100 scholarships to study at the UDA

In Erica Mayancela's family no one has gone to university. In many of the cases they managed to finish school, and, after that, to look for work.

The need, the lack of time due to household responsibilities and the limitations of access to higher education, vetoed them from continuing to climb professionally.

However, a few weeks ago, Erica, due to her relationship with the parish government of Baños, since she belongs to the Virgen del Auxilio Association of Agroecological Producers of that parish, found out that the University of Azuay, through an agreement with Elecaustro, they were about to offer scholarships to study technological careers designed for the rural sector.

Erica did not hesitate and enrolled in the program that was designed to provide a study opportunity to the inhabitants of Baños, San Joaquín and Chaucha.

The 22-year-old was not the only one who applied for a scholarship. Her mother, Eulalia Déleg, 42, also signed up because she saw the opportunity to fulfill a goal that seemed to be just a dream.

“I would like to have the opportunity to put into practice what I have learned in the association in which we work. It is a great opportunity for me and my daughter, and we are going to try it,” Eulalia told El Mercurio newspaper.

about scholarships

Two years ago, while building its new campus in Baños, the University of Azuay was planning and researching the creation of short-term, third-level technological careers. Within this work, the rural sector was considered.

It was then that the careers of Rural Tourism, Agroecology and Dairy Production emerged.

“We wanted to create careers that reach the rural sector with a preferential option because they are one of the least favored. Higher education is not coming. That is why we are offering programs precisely with the productive vocation of these sectors”, explained Francisco Salgado, rector of the University of Azuay.

For this reason, in order to reach all those interested in studying, on the one hand, an agreement was made with Elecaustro to award 100 scholarships to the inhabitants of San Joaquín, Chaucha and Baños, in principle, for being in the area of ​​influence of the new campus.

However, the university will channel the funds it receives from the State for young people from all the rural sectors of Cuenca and Azuay. This will allow there to be more scholarships in the calls for studies that the institution will carry out.

Registration process

The first requirement that applicants must meet is to demonstrate that they belong to the rural parishes that benefit from the scholarships. In the second instance, that they attend the welcome program in which those enrolled will interact with the university, its laboratories and professors.

In this process there will be some interviews to meet the applicant, and, based on them, the scholarship holders will be selected. The rector of the University of Azuay said that there will be no entrance exam because it is "a barrier" for the rural sector.

Another requirement, although not mandatory, is to have some relationship or project idea that is related to the three careers, which will start in September of this year.

study modality

The three careers for the rural sector will last two years, divided into four semesters. During that time, the students, during the week, will have remote classes and practices in the parishes to which they belong, while, on Saturdays, the education will take place in the laboratories of the University of Azuay.

As part of the scholarship, which covers 100% of the studies, the students will also receive support from the different schools of the institution. For example, the School of Administration will teach accounting and taxation so that it is a complement in the training of students.

Those who meet all the requirements of the races will receive a third level title.