The Government of the People’s Republic of China awarded nine Bahamians with full scholarships to pursue higher education in China.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette and His Excellency Hu Shan, Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, congratulated the recipients during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, August 19, 2011.
Mr Symonette said he was pleased to recognize the nine Bahamians who have been awarded full scholarship by the Chinese government to study in China.
“To date, 29 Bahamians have benefitted from the Chinese scholarship program, and we are pleased to add these nine scholarship awardees to that number. Earlier recipients, having completed their studies are now contributing to the growth and development of The Bahamas,” Mr Symonette said.
“These young people are an inspiration, choosing as they have, to study in a country vastly different from their own, and to learn another language.”
The 2011-2012 scholarship recipients are: Krystal Francis, Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics; and Fredia Major, Bachelor’s, Chinese Language. At the Master’s Degree level, Matthew Arnett, Business Administration; Gleniese McKenzie, Astrophysics; Sacha Armbrister, International Studies; Apryl Barnette, Business Administration; Krissy Hanna, International Relations; and Joy Ann Wells-Munroe, Education.
The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations in May 1997. Since then, scholarships awarded by China, through the China Scholarship Council, have been made available to Bahamian students to pursue higher education in China at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels in a range of disciplines, from manufacturing and design of clothing and apparel, to medicine, astrophysics/astronomy, international business management, marketing, Chinese culture and language and architecture.
“This group represents the broad spectrum of talent, and the ever-growing potential of our people,” Mr Symonette said.
He advised the recipients that The Bahamas Ambassador to China, Her Excellency Elma Campbell and her staff would be ready to assist them as they join the cadre of students already studying in China.
“We expect that you will ably represent The Bahamas while in China and portray all that is good about our Bahamas, its people, its culture and its traditions,” Mr Symonette said. “I know that you will be good ambassadors for our country.”
He also urged them to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn all they can, become fluent in the Chinese language – the fastest growing economy in the world- and strive for excellence in all that they do.
“We look forward to welcoming you back to The Bahamas at the conclusion of your studies. We are confident that you will be well prepared to play an integral role in the further development of our country,” Mr Symonette said.
He thanked the Chinese Government for its technical assistance and cooperation to The Bahamas over the past 14 years.
The Chinese ambassador also recognized the “harmonious” diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and China. He too urged them to return home to make contributions to their country.
On behalf of the recipients, Apryl Barnette thanked both governments for facilitating the scholarship process.
Source: BIS
