PTPI Blog

Founded in 1967, the mission of The Fund for American Studies is to educate young leaders on the values of freedom and free-market economies.  TFAS formed the American Institute on Political and Economic Systems (AIPES) in the Czech Republic, the International Institute for Political and Economic Studies (IIPES) in Greece and the Asia Institute for Political Economy (AIPE) in Hong Kong.  These programs bring students from all over the world together for summer programs and embody diversity and culture as the cornerstone to educating future leaders.

Recognizing a similarity in the goals of both organizations, PTPI forged a relationship with TFAS in 2002.  Each year, PTPI awards up to four scholarships of $500 each to students attending AIPES, IIPES or AIPE.  Congratulations to the 2010 scholarship recipients:

Jovita Arulanantham

Jovita Arulanantham of Sri Lanka is a student of International Relations, Socioloy and English.  She credits her work with the Law &  Society Trust, a not-for-profit conducting human rights documentation, research and advocacy in Sri Lanka, and the World University Service of Canada, with helping her decide on an area of study.  The knowledge she gained while assisting on a Human Rights in Conflict project helped shape her perception of minority rights and majority rule and she has focused on those issues in her studies.  Arulanantham will be participating in the AIPE program in Hong Kong.

Oleksandra Romanovska

Oleksandra Romanovska of Ukraine is studying Economics and Management, working on a Master Degree with plans to pursue a PhD.  Her research is focused on the “social and economical aspects of Ukrainian integration to Europe in the context of globalization.”  Her goals include utilizing her interest and skills to address the challenges facing the Ukrainian economy, and doing her part to better the welfare of her country.  She feels that the relevant learning she will obtain through AIPES will help her not only extend her experience and fulfill her plans but also challenge her abilities and allow her to present Ukraine’s distinctive cultural features to fellow international participants.  She will be participating in the AIPES in Prague.

Vatnak Oudom Samith

Vatnak Oudom Samith of Cambodia is finishing a degree in International Relations.  He has been involved in projects with both local and international NGOs.  In addition, Oudom has dedicated his time to several community programs aimed at providing assistance to disadvantaged children and young people.  He volunteered for two years as a student instructor to provide basic community laws to both urban and rural high school students and feels that the combination of his efforts have contributed to positive change in his country.  Upon learning that he had been awarded the scholarship from PTPI, Oudom related that he could now sleep well.  Oudom will participate in the AIPE program in Hong Kong and feels that his experience will benefit him as well as his peers and fellow young Cambodians.

Victoria Vlad

Victoria Vlad of Moldova is also studying International Relations.  She is currently a Global Undergraduate Exchange Program student at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota.  As part of the International Research and Exchanges Board UGRAD experience, Vlad is completing an internship at the Development Corporation of Austin as a Marketing Assistant.  Previously Vlad successfully completed a series of business and leadership projects in Romania and through the Richard Ivey School of Business.  Vlad will participate in the AIPES program in Prauge.  Upon learning that she had been awarded a scholarship from PTPI: “Thank you so much!  Indeed, dreams come true.”