St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has been offered 55 scholarships from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, valued at about £1.5 million.   

“A very good university…40 three year scholarships, and we are going to do 15 post graduate scholarships, so different kinds of qualifications…,” Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told listeners on Sunday during WE FM’s Issue at Hand radio program. 

He said this also includes masters and post graduate diplomas, and certificates in different subject areas, “as they link and connect to our national economic and social development plan…” 

While the PM did not go into details, he said when he spoke about his plan to get the scholarships, Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, thought he was wasting his time.

“I got the letter on Friday, and it was sent to every cabinet member and the relevant ministries, including the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Personnel Officer who deals with these matters…,” Gonsalves said.

He added that the details will be worked out with the university, after which the advertising will be done for the fully covered scholarships.

“It is a moment for education for a number of the members of Cabinet who I told what I was going to try to do…,” Gonsalves said, noting that he will speak about the backdrop when he gets permission from the persons involved.

“This is big…when all those developments [are] happening, let they call them handouts…,” Gonsalves said.

Most likely, the scholarships will be available for students who graduate with their CAPE qualifications, and associate degrees from the St. Vincent Community College (SVCC).