BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THIRTEEN young men and women have been charged with making good of the opportunity which has been afforded them through the scholarships they have received of the Taiwanese Government for higher education.
On Thursday evening (Aug. 6), the recipients and their guests were hosted at a dinner held at the Nirvana Restaurant where the scholarships were distributed.
Selected from a lot of 41, the awardees would soon join their Kittitian and Nevisian counterparts in Taiwan in the upcoming weeks, to begin the next level of their educational journey.
The individuals to whom the scholarships were awarded are: Andre Freeman, Kristal Phillp, Orlando Liantaud, Travis Kelly, Shamika Edinborough, Shameika Prentice, Djavan Martin, Judette Pollock, Trizell Matthew, Jherez Taylor, Noveila Rawlins-Nwosu, Selena Weekes and Diandre Ottley.
Eight in the group received Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) scholarships and the remaining five received International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) scholarships, to undertake studies in either bachelors, masters or doctoral programmes.
Taiwanese Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou explained that the scholarships cover credit fees, tuition, text book costs, insurance, housing, roundtrip airfare and monthly allowance.
He said one of his country’s aims, through these scholarships, is to assist allied countries in the development of their human resource.
“The purpose of Taiwan Government to offer these scholarships is to help our allied countries to develop their own human resources. Therefore I wish each of these scholarship awardees, when you finish studying and receive a diploma, you must come back and dedicate yourself to the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
In congratulating the recipients, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education the Hon. Shawn K. Richards challenged the bunch that in the pursuit of higher education, they should endeavour to make their families and their country proud.
“I have had many calls since becoming the minister of education from applicants inquiring as to whether or not they have been successful. We had quite a number of applications. So for the 13 persons who have been accepted, indeed consider yourself to be extremely fortunate and take advantage of the opportunity which is being given to you… Pursue your studies and make your families and the Federation proud of you…”
