Blogs

Four Bahamians Awarded Scholarships To Study In China

Posted by CaribShout on August 13, 2009 at 7:58pm
The Bahamas and China established diplomatic relations in May 1997, and since then Bahamian students have been taking advantage of the benefits of the relationship. China’s Scholarship Council awarded scholarships for a Bachelor’s degree to Courtney Dames for finance, Joelle Miller for Chinese language and culture, Jonathon Pratt for biological engineering and Carlton Wright II for communication engineering. Keson Tinker also received an extension on the scholarship he received last year to pursue a Master’s degree in strategic management.

Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette The scholarship recipients told the Journal that they are grateful for such a wonderful opportunity and plan to learn from their experience abroad. "This scholarship is an opportunity to learn a new language, understand a new perspective on life and work ethic and I think that in the long run it will allow me to help our country move forward," said Ms. Dames. Meantime, Mr. Pratt said "I’m going to China to study medicine and someday I intend to return home and work in the Princess Margaret Hospital. There are a lot of foreign doctors in PMH and I would like to be among the few Bahamian doctors in there and be of some help to the Bahamian people." Foreign Affairs Minister Brent Symonette said he considers the opportunity to study abroad a great one and hopes that all of the students return home to play a role in developing the country. "[The Chinese scholarship programme] was established in hopes of [the students] bringing the knowledge back here. We can’t insist that students come back to the Bahamas, we hope they do, but whether they come back or not they are still ambassadors and we will have benefitted our Bahamian youth," said Minister Symonette. "Some of the earlier recipients have completed their studies and are contributing to the growth and development of the Bahamas." The Chinese government awards scholarships for Bachelor’s and Master’s levels in various disciplines, such as manufacturing and designing clothing and apparel, medicine, astrophysics/astronomy, international business management, marketing, Chinese culture and language, and architecture. Wednesday’s four recipients bring the number of Bahamians who have benefitted from the Chinese scholarship programme to 23.

Community

Culture

Entertainment

Food

Health