Issued by: The Ministry of Education
STATEMENT BY LINCOLN MALI ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
The Minister of Education, Prof Bengu departs for the United States of American, on Friday, 12 July 1996, Minister Mboweni will act as Minister of Educations, for the period of his absence.
Prof Bengu will give a major address on the theme "Democracy vs Illiteracy : Message of hope" at the eleventh Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) in San Francisco on Monday 15 July. This auspicious occasion will also be graced by the presence of Mr Bill Clinton, the President of the USA and Mr Boutros Boutros Ghali, the Secretary General of the United Nations.
At this conference, during the period of his address the 22 campus California State University system will confer upon Minister Bengu the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws DL(LLD). This honour will be conferred in recognition of Prof Bengu's role in the world of education.
He will then visit the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he used to lecture, and address a gathering of prominent local educational, business and community leaders. The Minister will also meet Milwaukee city officials who will honour him for his role in the international struggle for human rights and development.
As co-chairperson of the Human Resource Development and Education committee of the SA US Binational Commission, Minister Bengu will attend the Binational Commission in Washington DC on 22 to 23 July. His committee will table, for discussion and possible adoption, the following project proposals:
There are already 6 recipients of this scholarship currently studying in the USA, the committee will make recommendations about the relevant rules and structures of a Mandela Economics Scholars Programme which will provide post-graduate training in economics for approximately 50 individuals from historically disadvantaged communities.
The Fulbright Scholarship Programme, named after Senator Fulbright, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, in August, this year. Although a significant number of South Africans have, over the years, been awarded this prestigious scholarship, the criteria and selection of programmes was done by the USA. It is now recommended that a Fulbright Commission be set up and launched, before the end of the year, in order to supervise bilateral academic and professional exchanges between the two countries.
The South African Youth Commission has now been set up largely through, research and support work from the US-SA Binational Commission, the committee will make further recommendations about continued support for youth development.
Minister Bengu will be accompanied by the Director General, Dr Manganyi, his advisor, Mrs Sisulu and the Acting Director for International Relations, Mr Jeppie.
For further information, please call Mr Lincoln Mali at 083 351 4044