A record 430 scholarships would be awarded through government schemes this year, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

He was speaking during the fourth call for applications under the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarships (Steps) scheme. This call marks an investment of €3 million and will support about 180 students to follow Masters and doctorate degrees.

Dr Gonzi announced the fresh call for scholarships during a briefing on the research of two students benefitting from these opportunities at the Biomedical Sciences Building at the University.

Gianluca Farrugia, an MPhil/PhD student, gave an overview of his research in colorectal cancer and the effect of aspirin and other drugs on colon cancer cells.

Joseph Borg is researching molecular genetics and how certain genes affect blood disorders.

Lifelong Learning director Mario Azzopardi said 269 scholarships were awarded in the first three calls of the Steps scheme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund, with the most research support awarded in the fields of education, ICT and health. An equal number of men and women received support through the scheme.

University Rector Juanito Camilleri expressed his satisfaction that 20 per cent of scholarships awarded were being researched at the University. This was crucial, he said, for the implementation of Vision 2015.

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