Going Away Party For Students
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
July 04, 2012 (SKNIS)
The Republic of China (Taiwan) has renewed its annual commitment to provide International Higher Education Scholarships from the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) to six individuals from St. Kitts and Nevis.
Miguel Fleming, Jermaine Mike, Bevis Brookes, Ketricia Finch, Donya Francis and Cassandra Ward all received official documentation that will allow them to attend Universities in Taiwan.
To commemorate the occasion, the prospective students were invited to a dinner at the residence of Taiwanese Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, Miguel Tsao, where they thanked representatives from the Taiwanese Government and also the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Miguel Fleming, one of the Scholarship recipients gave words of encouragement for the challenges ahead.
“When I look into the eyes of my fellow recipients, I see not only the joy of being a recipient of the scholarship but the passion to excel in the fields that they have decided to follow. At times opportunities like these are not taken advantage of. Some because they think it’s too far from home, we don’t think we could adapt, and most of all when the opportunity comes we are not prepared mentally, theoretically and physically to grasp the opportunities,” said Mr. Fleming. “But I have a message for my fellow recipients and that is great men make great sacrifices because indeed the future belongs to who prepares for it.”
Cassandra Ward, another recipient, stated that due to financial constraints and other challenges, it was difficult for her to attend a University to further her education and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.
“I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me and the other awardees. I know that we will have a grand time in Taiwan and I also know that we will try our best to do our best because that is what our government and the Taiwanese officials expect. I know that we will all do well.”
It has long been the goal of the Ministry of Education in St. Kitts and Nevis to provide for all citizens and residents, in collaboration with other stakeholders like Taiwan, a comprehensive course of quality lifelong education which would enable individuals to develop and achieve their full potential, allowing them to make meaningful contribution to national development.
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has retained diplomatic relations with Taiwan for the past 29 years. The Ministry of Education too has benefited from this long standing relationship by providing opportunities like these to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The students will leave the Federation during the last week in August, and will spend four to five years depending on their field of study.