MEDIA REPORT - EDUCATION SECRETARY SPELLINGS IN CHILE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001383

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, ECA, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/R/MR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PGOV CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT - EDUCATION SECRETARY SPELLINGS IN CHILE

REF: SANTIAGO 1368


1. Summary: For a second consecutive day, Education Secretary
Margaret Spellings received positive press coverage on her visit to
Chile. The media reported about her keynote speech to members of
the private sector and her meetings with Chilean university
presidents and students. TV Channel 13 devoted one-and-a-half
minutes on the new U.S.-Chile Equal Opportunities Scholarship
Program. The segment noted how strong English language skills are
not a prerequisite for talented Chilean students seeking admission
to graduate programs at top U.S. universities. End Summary.


2. On August 22, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
101,000) headlined: "Private Sector meets with U.S. Education
Secretary." The Manufacturers Association, Sofofa, organized a

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luncheon in honor of U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
The Secretary led a high-level delegation comprised of eight
presidents and chancellors from prestigious U.S. universities to
Chile and Brazil. About one hundred entrepreneurs and higher
education officials attended the lunch.


3. On August 21, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ.
33,000) reported: Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings met with
Foreign Minister and Education Ministers Alejandro Foxley and Yasna
Provoste, respectively, and with the President of the National
Science and Technological Research Commission (Conicyt) Vivian Heyl,
to launch the "Chile-U.S. Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program,"
which will enable 100 Chilean professionals to attend the best U.S
universities without the English language requirement at the time of
their application. Foreign Minister Foxley valued the commitment
of both countries to the advancement of human capital. "We want to
show youths that the future of their personal projects has no
boundaries, because a barrier that limited their opportunities has
been removed," said Foxley.


4. On August 22, on-line university news service (universiar.cl)
reported: U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings attended a
Higher Education Leaders Roundtable at the Catholic University.
Participants included Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
Academic Affairs Thomas Farrell, and the heads of eight U.S. and
twenty-three Chilean universities. The parQants discussed the
Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program, whose goal is to provide
equal opportunity for students from all sectors of society for the
completion of graduate studies in the United States, promote student
exchanges, and improve development and innovation.


5. The President of the University of Chile, Victor Perez, said the
roundtable was a "landmark" effort to move forward on the program.
"This meeting has sealed the agreement with the parties involved,
which shows that the graduate exchange program will not only be
positive from a political standpoint for both our countries, but
also from the cultural, social, and academic viewpoint. In this
context, if the results are a success, then the benefits will extend
to the implementation of other types of agreements," said Secretary
Spellings.


6. On August 21, conservative channel 13's afternoon TV news
program "Teletarde" broadcast: U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret
Spellings met with Chilean Education Minister Yasna Provoste to
discuss and promote the 100 scholarships under the Equal
Opportunities Scholarship Program, which will enable Chilean
students to do post graduate studies at the best U.S. universities.
Spellings said that the goal is for many Chileans to go to the
United States and for many Americans to come here.

YAMAUCHI