Using education to build bridges with Asia will boost the Virgin Islands’ economic growth, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley.
The premier made the comments at a Friday recognition ceremony in Road Town for students involved with the BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme, which sends some of the territory’s brightest minds to universities in Hong Kong; Taiwan; Macau; Singapore; and Shenzhen, China.
“I want to recognise the courage of these young people,” Mr. Wheatley said. “When I visited them in Asia, it was remarkable to see how well-adjusted they were in such a different environment. When you visit there, you see that it’s a great decision what the students are exposed to — and these are world-class universities; world-class, modern cities.”
He added that the programme helps the students to blossom personally and professionally while furthering their careers.
“Ultimately, this uplift not only benefits them but also their families and future generations,” he said.
Economic sectors that stand to benefit, he added, include tourism, hospitality, health, engineering, technology and education.
“Participants gain invaluable exposure by studying, living and, in some cases, working abroad from a young age, receiving international training, and developing into true global citizens,” Mr. Wheatley said.
Among the scholars was Tisa Donovan, 32, who recently completed her two-year studies for a master’s degree in public health at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan.
‘I want to stay in the BVI’
Ms. Donovan said it was hard leaving her young son Jaimere at home while she was abroad, but she knew he was being well looked after by family.
Now, she said, she wants to use her education for the benefit of the territory.
“I want to stay in the BVI,” said Ms. Donovan, who officials described as the first VI student to graduate from a Taiwanese university. “I want to be involved in diabetics, maternal health care, anything health.”
The ceremony honoured three new scholarship awardees as well as past and present recipients.
Resort deal
Officials also announced a memorandum of understanding between the government and the Rosewood Little Dix Bay resort aimed at boosting the scholarship programme.
Under the agreement, the resort will host interns from the Macau University of Tourism in exchange for the university providing scholarships for VI students.
Siobhan Flax, deputy director of the BVI House Asia in Hong Kong, said the scholarship initiative helps bridge cultures and build futures.
“The programme was conceived to provide more than just access to international education for our students,” she said. “It was about preparing Virgin Islanders to become global citizens in a rapidly developing region of the world. We want to prepare young individuals who are confident, competent, and capable of navigating the complexities of an ever-interconnected and innovative world.”
Ms. Flax acknowledged the challenges in travelling so far away to study, but she said the benefits are well worth the effort.
‘Rewarding journeys’
“It has been one of the most rewarding journeys to see our students take on these challenges,” she said.
“Every scholar we support, every partnership that we form, and every single obstacle we overcome has reaffirmed the purpose of the programme.”
