Abinader defends scholarship program amid allegations of favoritism

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader rejected claims that national and international scholarships are unfairly awarded to influential individuals, emphasizing that the selection process is transparent and overseen by an independent commission. His response came after Anthony Almánzar, a representative of Pedro Brand’s Young Professionals Association, criticized the system during the program El Gobierno Contigo, arguing that scholarships often fail to reach the most deserving candidates.

Abinader firmly denied the accusation, challenging anyone to present evidence of favoritism. He assured that the scholarship program operates fairly and independently. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT) announced that in 2025, 8,000 Dominican families will benefit from national scholarships for technical, undergraduate, and graduate studies in key development areas.

Despite the government’s assurances, public debate persists regarding the fairness of the scholarship distribution, with some sectors calling for increased oversight and transparency.