US President Donald Trump has suspended the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Program (DISP) which is applicable for undergraduate and graduate students from Myanmar, reported VOA News. Students from Myanmar have been able to apply DISP funded by USAID since October 7, 2024.
Winners of the scholarship will be allowed to attend universities in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Philippines in person or able to attend online classes conducted by Arizona University, United State of America.USAID has sponsored US$45 million in scholarships for students in Myanmar under the DISP program.
Trump said that the amount of money for Myanmar students was very huge and that the suspension was part of the US government’s budget-saving plan.
The US$ 45 million was provided for five academic years for about 800 Myanmar students and it was a scholarship programme to support the development of Myanmar in education. However, some thought that because of sudden suspension, significant losses may occur for both Myanmar students who are planning to apply for DISP scholarships and those currently attending relevant classes.
