Scores of young Saint Lucians gathered at the Orchid Garden in Union on Tuesday morning for a comprehensive briefing on scholarship opportunities in Taiwan for the upcoming academic year.
The session, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Unit of the Department of Education and Digital Transformation, provided prospective students with detailed information on the various scholarship programmes available, academic requirements, application procedures and expectations for awardees.
Addressing the eager audience, Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Nicole Su, underscored the importance of education in national advancement and congratulated the students for taking a proactive step toward higher learning.
“Education is the foundation for national development,” Ambassador Su noted, encouraging participants to pursue academic excellence and take advantage of the opportunities available through Taiwan’s continued partnership with Saint Lucia.
She highlighted Taiwan’s longstanding commitment to supporting Saint Lucian students through fully funded and partial scholarship programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate and specialized technical training.
Minister for Education, Hon. Kenson Casimir, expressed sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Taiwan for their sustained investment in Saint Lucia’s human capital development.
The Minister commended the diverse mix of applicants in attendance, noting the presence of community leaders, youth activists and aspiring professionals across multiple disciplines. “This morning, I am seeing future engineers, doctors, innovators and nation builders,” Casimir remarked. “And that gives me tremendous confidence that Saint Lucia will be exceptionally well represented.”
Delivering a pointed message to the students, Casimir challenged them to approach the opportunity with seriousness and purpose. “Let me be very clear, these scholarships are not vacations. They are investments in you by the people of Taiwan and by the people of Saint Lucia,” he stated. “When you leave these shores, you carry our flag, our reputation and our future on your shoulders. Excellence is not optional. It is expected.”
The Minister further emphasized that the Government remains committed to expanding access to international educational opportunities, describing overseas scholarships as a critical pathway for strengthening Saint Lucia’s workforce and driving innovation at home.
Officials from the Human Resource Development Unit also guided attendees through application timelines and eligibility criteria, urging interested students to ensure all documentation is submitted accurately and on time.
The briefing forms part of ongoing efforts to prepare Saint Lucian students to compete globally while contributing meaningfully to national development upon their return.
