Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 19, 2022 (SKNIS): Dr. the Honourable Geoffrey Hanley, St. Kitts and Nevis’ new Minister of Education, said that education must be given top priority and said he embraces the Ministry of Education Sector Plan, which states “Education for All: Embracing Change, Securing the Future.”
“The education of all our people is a top priority for this … administration,” Minister Dr. Hanley stated at the Taiwan Scholarship Award Ceremony where 11 university scholarships were awarded to 11 students from St. Kitts and Nevis by the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The students received their acceptance letters during a brief ceremony at the Palm’s Court Gardens and Restaurant on Thursday, August 18, 2022. Dr. Hanley said that he was particularly proud that this ceremony marked his first official engagement since he was sworn in as a minister of government on August 13, 2022.
Honourable Dr. Hanley said that the ROC (Republic of China) has been an excellent diplomatic partner and applauded Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador, His Excellency Michael Lin, for his government’s continued investment in St. Kitts and Nevis’ human resource development.
“The Federation’s Ministry of Education values this alliance. We will be forever grateful for the many ways in which the Ministry of Education continues to benefit as a result of this alliance between our two nations,” the minister expressed. “Ambassador, I say to you, this scholarship award ceremony is another opportunity to renew the friendship between the two nations.”
The students were congratulated by Dr. Hanley and strongly encouraged to “make the Federation proud” while they are studying in Taiwan. He urged them to return home ready to positively contribute to national development upon completing their studies.
There are two categories of scholarships awarded to students – the International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This year’s ICDF scholarship recipients are Teresa Dias, Everton Liburd, Hakim Blackmoore and Rasarles Nisbett. The MOFA scholarship awardees are Zidane Knight, Jermellia Henry, Devon Peters, Vadelle Jarvis, Dahjaal James, Lestron Simpson, and Deonje Woodley.
The Taiwan Scholarship Programme in St. Kitts and Nevis began in 2004.
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