The International University of the Caribbean (IUC) has offered eight scholarships to men attending the institution.

The scholarships are tenable over four years and valued at appro-ximately $8 million. Two women will also so be getting scholarships, bringing to 10 the number of scholarships to be awarded this year.

Address imbalance

The scholarships have been offered under the IUC's Tertiary Tracks initiative. Tertiary Tracks is a brainchild of the president of the university, the Rev Dr Maitland Evans.

"Tertiary Tracks is a programme designed to make a contribution to addressing the imbalance in the ratio of males to females pursuing tertiary education, and reflects the IUC's commitment to national development," Evans said.

Awardees are required to have a history of involvement in com-munity work; prove financial need, as well as strong demonstrate indications that they can become mentors and positive role models in their communities.

This year's awardees hail from St Mary, Manchester, St Catherine and Kingston. They will read for degrees in business administration, community development, media and communication arts and pro-gramme and project management.

The IUC says it intends to enter into partnerships with other organisations in furthering its contribution to redressing the gender imbalance in tertiary education.

The IUC operates through two constituent colleges, the Institute for Theological and Leadership Development and Mel Nathan College.