A total of 225 Vincentian students have been the recipients of $100,000 from the Embassy of Taiwan here.

Of the students 75, from primary schools, were each granted US$200; from secondary schools, 130 got US$500 each while 20 college students each received US$1000.{{more}}

The donations were made by resident Ambassador Elizabeth Chu at a ceremony attended by Minister of Education and Sports Clayton Burgin and other ministry staff including Laura Browne, permanent secretary, Suzanne Dougan, chief education officer, principals, teachers and parents.

The ceremony began with one minute’s silence in tribute to the late Sister Patricia Ann Douglas, principal of the St.Joseph’s Convent, Marriaqua, for her contribution to educational development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Ambassador Chu expressed best wishes to all the scholarship recipients and encouraged them to work harder, not only for self-fulfillment, but also for the betterment of the well being of Vincentian society. She also thanked the principals, teachers, and parents for their roles in the human resource development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Minister Burgin and Permanent Secretary Laura Browne also made inspirational remarks before the packed Peace Memorial Hall audience.

The ceremony also saw the raffling of desktop computers, which were won by C.W Prescod, Union Methodist, Richland Park Government and Troumaca Government schools.

The Embassy is hoping that more schools submit applications for scholarship grants.

The embassy has however advised that application forms for the 2006 scholarship programme would be made available as early as January next.