Thirteen to pursue studies in China

Thirteen Dominican students were granted scholarships to pursue studies in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The students received their admission notices at a special ceremony held at the Fort Young Hotel on Wednesday.

They are Kimone Ferrol, Shanita Judith John, Metsi Didie, Kimeron Lazare, Vilma Lewis, Kezia Augustine, Darron Georges, Kerchad Guiste, Tess Honore, Monique Kiwana Anthony, Shane McIntyre, Kelshel George and Ithoma James.

They will pursue studies in various fields including, computer science and technology, clinical medicine, gynaecology, biology, applied meteorology, public health, civil engineering, electrical engineering, architecture, and financial accounting.

Education Minister, Petter Saint, said at the ceremony that the ongoing commitment from the government and people of China have contributed significantly to the development of Dominica and its people.

“It means that government’s desire to see a university graduate in every household is every year getting closer to realization,” he noted. “And the People’s Republic of China is indeed assisting us to achieve this goal of providing our citizens with opportunities for professional development to secure better futures, not only for themselves but for their families and our country.”

He also urged students to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I therefore wish to urge you to make the best use of this opportunity, because somebody else could have been selected,” he said. “So students, young Dominicans you who are fortunate to benefit from this scholarship programme, you will gain the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and understand and experience a diverse culture, a tradition and indeed a new language. As you leave our shores and you move across to the PRC, please remember first of all that you have a responsibility to yourself, you have a responsibility to your family and indeed you have a responsibility to all of us as Dominicans.”

According to Saint Jean the gift of education comes at a time when it is even, “more imperative” that citizens be trained and given the necessary skills to function and “compete effectively” in a changing environment.

He said education remains a major priority of the government as it seeks to better the lives of the country’s citizens.

“As government we continue to hold a very high regard, the contribution of the Chinese government to our human resource development,” he stated.

Saint Jean pointed out also that the Chinese government investments in Dominica it’s not limited solely to education.

“In addition to the construction of a fully functional Dominica State College, we have also seen the rehabilitation of the Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway and continuing investments in agriculture,” Saint Jean explained. “We view all of these as tangible expressions of China’s support to our beloved country.”

Meantime Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, His Excellency Li Jiangning, encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunity and strive for excellence.

“Work very hard to reach this point in your life. You are fortunate and there is no reason you should not make the necessary effort to take advantage of this opportunity and strive for excellence in your chosen field of study,” he said. “To make the best of this opportunity first prepare for culture shock and other challenges…take this opportunity very seriously and focus on your studies. The challenges are out there to make you a better person than you are today.”

Jiangning also encouraged students to, “Stay motivated, stay strong and stay focused, don’t ever give up.”

He advised them to stay in touch with their families.

According to him, since the two countries are far apart many people in China may not know about Dominica.

“So talk about Dominica to your classmates, teachers and people you meet in China,” he stated.

More than 140 young Dominicans have, over the past ten years, received scholarships from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), many of which have returned to the country to the development of Dominica.