Taiwan awards sixteen more scholarships to Vincentian students

Sixteen Vincentians have been awarded scholarships by the Taiwanese government to pursue their Under­gra­duate, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.

During a presentation ceremony held last Tuesday at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), four recipients received TaiwanICDF scholarships.{{more}}

They are: Ayesha Ollivierre, who will pursue Business Studies in International Master’s in Business Administration at the National Chengchi University; Shebby-Ann Dennie, who will pursue her Master’s in International Business and Trade; Elvis Weekes, who would attend the I-Shou University School of Medicine for International Students and Shaneek Dabrell, who would attend the Kaoshiung Medical University.

There were also 12 students who received the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) scholarships. Eleven of them would pursue studies at the National Taiwan Normal University, while Clint Lewis, would pursue studies in Natural Resource and Environmental Studies at the National Dong Hwa University.

In addition to Lewis, the other 11 students who received MOFA scholarships are: Jomol Lewis who would be pursuing studies in Mechanical Engineering; Alanda Moses who would pursue her Master’s degree in Food Science; Lorenzo Bacchus who would pursue studies in Agriculture; Mickiela Kier would pursue studies in Laboratory Science and Bio Technology; Alicia Cox would pursue studies in International Business and Trade; and Vannell Baptiste would

pursue studies in Environmental Engineering. Rotasha Medford, Jévonne Prescott and Kasaini Culzac would pursue studies in Computer Science and Information Technology, while Jenness Opara and Zomara Cottle would pursue studies in Diplomacy and International Relations.

La Toya Williams would also be travelling to Taiwan as part of the Republic of China (ROC) Ministry of Education Foreign English Teachers programme (FET), which made its debut this year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Taiwanese Ambassador Baushuan Ger congratulated the recipients and disclosed that there were originally 17 scholarship recipients; however, one declined the offer at the very last minute.

Ger noted that since inception of the scholarship programme, 110 Vincentians have benefited over the last 11 years, adding that the scholarships cost about US$17,500 per recipient each fiscal year.

“That means, for a four-year college programme, my government will invest on each of the recipient US$70,000. That is an equivalent of EC$189,000. Expenses on Mandarin programmes and airfares are extra,” he said.

The ambassador said his country launched the scholarship programme so that students of their diplomatic allies would be well-equipped with crucial skills and knowledge that will benefit the development of these countries.

He further noted that 11 students would take the Mandarin Chinese programme for the first year, adding that this would further advance the cooperation and relations between SVG and Taiwan.

Ger also implored students to enjoy their stay in Taiwan and to serve as SVG’s cultural ambassadors to Taiwan while studying hard for their various degrees.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves encouraged unsuccessful applicants to reapply for scholarships next year. He said the goal of his government is to have one university graduate in each household by 2030 and they are on target.

Gonsalves encouraged recipients to enjoy themselves while doing their schoolwork and noted that he would be visiting Taiwan in October and plans to interact with the students and officials about the programme.

The Prime Minister said that the number of Vincentians in Taiwan is growing and although Vincentian Peggy Carr, who resides there, is like a mother to the students, it is time for SVG to have an ambassador in Taiwan. (AS)