BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 2nd October 2020) – The 2020 Taiwan scholarship recipients who are expected to depart St.Kitts-Nevis in October have been told by resident Taiwan Ambassador Tom Lee that his country continues to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and not to worry about the virus.

“We know that COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and a number of students cannot physically go to school and many countries are under lockdown, and I know some of the students are worried about COVID-19, and I’m very pleased to inform you that just like St.Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan also contains the virus pretty well and our people go to work normally and our students go to school physically just like here. So basically students, you don’t have to worry COVID-19 in Taiwan but some international travel has been interrupted by COVID-19, I will like to take this opportunity to assure you that our embassy cares about your safety and your safety is always our top concern. So for your safety, our embassy will find you the most direct flight to Taipei…”

Ambassador Lee made the disclosure while speaking at an awards ceremony lunch outing- organised by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Ministry of Education of Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis-held on Wednesday 30th September 2020 at Marshall’s Restaurant located in Frigate Bay.

Altogether, fourteen nationals of St.Kitts-Nevis have been successfully selected as the 2020 recipients of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Taiwan Scholarship and the International Cooperative and Development Fund (ICDF) Scholarship.

The nine MOFA (9) awardees are: Chris Tyson, Clilia Davis, Jacinth Hunkins, Jaleel Browne, Nigel Langley Jr., Selwyn Liburd, Kelso Clarke, Yitzak Bass and Mandisa Orquidia Z.

The five (5) ICDF awardees are: Rondell Williams, Marquan O’Loughlin, Tawanna Collins, Jahdel Danubii and Dylan Jacobs.

Ambassador Lee pointed out that the 2019 repeat number of scholarship awardees is linked to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Last year as you can recall we sent fourteen students from St.Kitts and Nevis to Taiwan and this year our embassy did a number of promotions but due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we only managed to get the same number. So, please be rest assured we will work harder next year so that we can get more scholarships…”

Taiwan is known for its generosity and hospitality. Soon after you arrive in Taiwan, you will find Taiwan your home away from home so I would like to encourage all of the students make the most of your stay in Taiwan; study hard, enjoy our hospitality and have fun so I believe when you finish your study , you will say ‘Wow, I really enjoyed my study in Taiwan’.”

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Jonel Powell expressed thanks to the government of Taiwan for the continued commitment and assistance to the people of St.Kitts and Nevis.

He described Taiwan to be a very beautiful country, full of culture, exciting and full of opportunities as he encouraged the students to take full advantage of the scholarship opportunity.

“Yes, you are going to study and we expect you to excel in your academic pursuits but at the same time we hope that you partake in the local culture, you will learn more about Taiwan, about its environs and that when you return after successful sojourning, you will come back a more complete person not just academically but culturally. We want when you come back that you assist us in learning the language, you assist us in forging further partnership that you yourself would have established, and that is really what we look for coming out of this relationship the ability for us to culturally exchange with one another and bring back degrees not just degrees; bring back friends, bring back experiences,” Powell said.

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, in congratulating the awardees, touched on the stability that education brings.

“I am happy to share this celebratory moment with you. Today, you are unique because while across the world, a large number of persons are wondering whether they will have an opportunity to enter a university…you know that you will be going to Taiwan. So that is some certainty that you have and it’s a good thing to start with this certainty because when we reflect on the value of education, education should at least assist in bringing some stability in our lives, stability in terms of our own thoughts about what we can become, what we want to become and what we should become…”