Access Microscholarship Graduation Ceremony

April 29, 2011

Ambassador Addleton presenting the Certificate to graduates

On April 29, 2011, twenty students graduated from the Access Microscholarship Program, a U.S. government funded after-school English class for promising high school students.  The students received their graduation certificates in a ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Addleton and Public Affairs Officer Marissa Maurer.  The students thanked their teachers and presented the staff of the Educational Advising and Resource Center with a memorial gift.  The graduates decided to establish an “Access Students Club” to promote future networking among students, continue practicing their English, assist new students, and develop small community development projects. 

The Access Microscholarship Program is funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.  In addition to the classes in Ulaanbaatar, there are classes in Hovd and Dornod.  The first group of students started this program in 2006.  Since then, 170 Mongolian students have graduated from the program and 210 students are currently attending classes.  In addition, over the last three years, 80 students have participated in a special summer English Camp program in Bayan-Ulgii Province.

Many of the Access Program students have successfully competed in various English competitions and Olympiads representing their schools.  Some have also participated in international conferences such as the United Nations Youth Leadership Summit in the USA, the United Nations Climate Change conference in Denmark and the 2012 Olympic Games pre-gathering of international students in the United Kingdom.