(awate.com) Bristol, Nov. 21, Johannesburg, Nov.15, 2000

Awate.com has learned that the University of Asmara has been racing against time to use the funds that was donated by the European Community (EC) before the end of the year. . If not used by then, the EC has indicated its wish to cancel the funds. Messages to Eritrean Embassies to comment on the news were not answered.

It is to be remembered that EC, as part of its development plan for Eritrea, has donated millions of dollars for higher education. So far, in October of this year, over three hundred students have arrived in South Africa and another 25 students in Bristol, England to pursue their higher education. Mrs. Luel Gebreyesus, a signatory of the Berlin Letter who later publicly disowned her association with the group, was instrumental in co-ordinating the enrolment of the students in South Africa.

Most of the students who were awarded the scholarship are members of the Eritrean Defence Forces and EPLF�s "fitawraris" � those who joined the Armed struggle at a young age and literally grew-up under the umbrella of the EPLF. Some of the students in Bristol, who are currently studying English, have reported that they were pulled out from the frontlines not long ago.

Students at the Asmara University confirm that the selection process was not based on merit and it apparently lacked transparency. The hasty decision was allegedly taken by Dr. Weldeab Issac, the president of the university. Many have attested to the fact that the recent scholarships were simply awarded without any plan and lacked transparency. In the past, many have expressed their outrage at Dr Weldeab Issac unfair practices and accused him of mismanaging the students� intellectual development. �He runs the educational institution as an extension of the PFDJ and as a government ministry", a student from Bristol reported. Another said "we were hastily pulled from the trenches". Many observers and students alike point their fingers at Dr. Weldeab Issac for politicising the institution. It is also reported that in Asmara University, indoctrination and party activities are given precedence to scholarship and academic excellence. The members of the Student Union �are nothing but Dr. Woldeab�s lackeys�, said another student.

The University of Asmara has gone through many changes since the independence of Eritrea in 1991. Dr. Weldeab, before assuming the post in 1994, lived in Sweden. Dr. Araya Tssegai, the current chief of housing bank - owned by PFDJ, was the university's president for sometime. Before Dr. Araya took the position, Mr Andeberhan WeldeGhergis, a veteran EPLF fighter now a commissioner coordinating between the Eritrean government and UNMEE, was the president of the university. It is to be remembered that in 1992, during the tenure of Mr Anderberhan, with the backing of PIA, over thirty faculty members were fired after they were ruled "incompetent" by subjective standards.