The 25 Chilean public universities on Friday offered 200 places for Haitian students to begin or continue their higher education.

The Chilean universities are making this offer as many students' studies have to be interrupted due to the massive earthquake on January 12, said Juan Manuel Zolezzi, rector of the University of Santiago.

He said the Chilean universities will also offer psychological support, Spanish lessons and other benefits for Haitian students.

The universities have requested the government to cover the stay expenses of the Haitian students, Zolezzi added.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2010)