AMCHAM and U.S. Embassy launch English Scholarship Program

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 14:30
PANAMA CITY, JANUARY 18, 2012 – The U.S. Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama (AMCHAM) announced today a new partnership that will award 60 scholarships for English language instruction to employees of AMCHAM member companies and students in need.  The courses will be offered through the Center for English Language Immersion (CELI), a unique public-private partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the Universidad Latina de Panama that seeks to provide high-quality, low-cost English courses to Panamanians.  U.S. Ambassador Phyllis Powers joined President Juan Carlos Arias, other members of the AMCHAM board, and CELI representatives to announce the program.
In his remarks, Juan Carlos Arias stated, “AMCHAM is honored to partner with The US Embassy and CELI to offer our member companies the opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of their workforce by providing them with English language scholarships.”
Ana Palencia, Executive Director of CELI, addressed those assembled at AMCHAM’s headquarters, saying, “As Panamanians, we are grateful for the initiatives set into motion by AmCham and the U.S. Embassy Panama.  These programs address the current demand for bi-lingual employees in the local economy.  We are certain that many Panamanians who learn English will benefit both professionally and financially through better employment opportunities.”
Ambassador Powers remarked “This significant investment on the part of the U.S. Embassy and the American business community shows that we are serious about expanding educational and economic opportunity in Panama. I believe that our close partnership with the AMCHAM, a public-private partnership supporting another public-private partnership, will help address Panama’s needs and throw open the doors of opportunity for the next generation of business leaders.”
Details about the scholarship program and applications are available on the “Scholarship” section of the AMCHAM web site: www.panamcham.com
For more information on the Center for English Language Immersion, please visit www.celionline.com or contact celicenterforenglish@gmail.com / 230-7986.

 

AmCham and U.S. Embassy launch English Scholarship Program