Final report : evaluation of the Cyprus - America scholarship program (CASP)

contractor responsible for implementing CASP) and the Cyprus Fulbright Commission (CFC) which oversees the program in Cyprus. The evaluation study involved: (1) a mail survey of some 90 CASP participants studying at U.S. universities; (2) onsite interviews with a sample of U.S. CASP participants on campus; (3) interviews with A.I.D. and AMIDEAST staff; (4) review of documents and records; and (5) a field visit to Cyprus to interview program staff, U.S. embassy officials, Greek and Turkish Cypriot authorities, and a sample of returned CASP participants. Over 100 interviews were conducted in Cyprus during the field visit. The study results indicate that CASP is functioning at high levels of performance in Cyprus, regarding recruitment, selection, and counselling, as well as in the United States, where AMIDEAST places scholarship students and monitors their activities in addition to performing other administrative support activities. CASP participants are being selected in accordance with Cypriot planning priorities although scholarship students generally have wide latitude in choosing fields of study. The CASP is very highly regarded by both Greek and Turkish Cypriot authorities and students. It is also clear that U.S. colleges and universities were considered by many Cypriot authorities and educators as having higher standards than many European and Eastern Bloc educational institutions. Thus, while Cyprus as a whole has a high number of college trained persons, it is CASP graduates who, according to officials of the planning bureau and the mayor's office, are usually the first to be absorbed into the economy and are highly considered for government jobs when opportunities are open. The CASP also appears to provide a positive and constructive forum for bi-communal relations, albeit in a limited manner, between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. One recent CASP project which brought members of the two communities together to work on a master plan for restoration of Nicosia was viewed as a model project by all concerned parties, and similar projects should be encouraged in the future. Also, short-term training opportunities should be increased, as it was evident that such projects had significant development impact on both Greek and Turkish communities. While the program is functioning well in all aspects, several administrative issues need to be addressed. These issues and possible resolutions were brought to the attention of AMIDEAST, the CFC, and the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus, and there appears to be agreement on steps needed to improve the situation and establish clear lines of administrative authority for CASP. In summary, CASP is by all accounts an important program to Cyprus and to both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. The result is not only progress toward achievement of Congressional goals for this program and A.I.D. objectives, but a strong contribution towards a positive U.S. image in the views of Cypriot students, educators, and government officials. (Author abstract)