Thirteen receive Chinese scholarships

The students pose with officials

Thirteen Dominicans, through the Chinese Government Scholarship program, have received full scholarships to further their education at eleven Chinese universities.

The scholars are prepared to study fields such as Science, Engineering, Medicine, Finance, Management, Psychology, and Business Administration. They received their letters of admission from various Ministers, at a ceremony held at the Fort Young Hotel, on Wednesday.

Recipients Michelle Belle, Kede Edmund, Andrea Francois, Stacy Haris, Rick Hypolite, Leslie Lewis, Shernel Raymond, Acacia Seaman, Deshawn George, and Diandra Jno-Baptiste will pursue Bachelor's degrees, while Shane McIntyre, Yvonette Carbon, and Patrick Henry hope to attain Master's degrees.

Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean, highlighted the importance of education to a country's economic development.

"The development of human resource capacity, through an educated population, is the most important determinant if a country's economic success," he elaborated. "Consequently, we have maintained a strong belief that the economic development of our beloved country is directly linked to the degree of investment in its human resource capacity."

Thus, he stated that the government of the China has made a "profound contribution" to the continued economic success of the Dominica.

He explained that a highly skilled and fully trained population necessary economic prosperity, and to a higher standard of living for Dominicans.

Saint Jean went on to express gratitude to the Ambassador for China's continued commitment to the development of Dominica.

Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, Ambassador Li Jianging, called the opportunity an "adventure" for the students and advised them to be unafraid and open-minded.

"A little apprehension is quite alright, but you will be joined by other students from around the world, including some Dominicans who went before you…you are not alone. Do not be afraid," he urged.

The Chinese Government Scholarship program has awarded scholarships to over 150 Dominicans since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Dominica and the People's Republic of China in 2004.

In 2014, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Constituency Empowerment, Justina Charles revealed that the program had cost the Chinese government $19-million.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Source: Thirteen receive Chinese scholarships