Today the Ministry of Education is awarding 1,815 scholarships for university studies abroad for Dominicans, reported Further Education Minister Ligia Amada Melo. In addition, the government is assisting 352 professionals who will travel abroad to take short courses. Last year, the government served as channel or funded 915 scholarships. To qualify, students need a minimum 3-point grade average, or minimum 80% in their studies. The government is primarily promoting studies in technology, business, computer sciences and sciences. The Ministry of Further Education consolidates scholarship programs, including funding offered by the Government of Taiwan that contributed US$1 million for studies in foreign countries. Others are contributions sponsored by the Organization of American States, the Fundacion Carolina and the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. The Ministry will also be funding half scholarships at the Instituto Empresa Madrid, a prestigious business school.