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Recipients of??the??ELAP/Canada-CARICOM Scholarship along with (left front) Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ruth Archibald, (left 2nd row) Principal of the Barbados Community College, Dr. Gladstone Best; (right front) Chairman of the Board of Management – BCC, Stephen Broome and (2nd right front) Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones. (C.Henry/BGIS)

Seventeen recipients of the Emerging Leaders of the Americas Programme (ELAP)/Canada-CARICOM Scholarships have been encouraged to become positive messengers for their country.

They are: Taylor Mirkarimi, Melanie Cox, Shanna Mason, Tabiel Dear, Krystle Clarke, Sheri Nicholls, Sherry-Ann Morris, Shawn Edghill, Shamelia Forde, Kwami Hunte, Simone Edwards, Danniella O’Neal, Tobenna Wells, Riquelle Sutherland-Greenidge, Lana Murrell, Macleisha Roberts and Jendale Broomes.

Noting that the recipients would attend a tertiary institution in Canada for either a semester or one-year exchange, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones, described the scholarships as "an exceptional opportunity" for both academic and personal development.

He was speaking today at an awards ceremony for the ELAP/Canada-CARICOM Scholarship programme at the Barbados Community College (BCC).??

Calling on the BCC students to become good representatives for their college and country, Minister Jones said: "I am going further than ambassadors… become messengers for Barbados within the educational, cultural and social environment of Canada [and] help people to understand the dynamics of the islands, particularly the island of Barbados."

Urging the students to acquire maximum knowledge at Lampton College, St. Lawrence College or Sheridan College; he said he was pleased with the diversity of students going abroad on the scholarship.

"There are seven persons from Fine Arts… six from the Hospitality Institute and four from Commerce…?? This is an interesting and diverse group, you have a great opportunity to pursue excellence," he reiterated, also extending heartfelt congratulations to the students as he presented them with their scholarship packages.

Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ruth Archibald, also congratulated the scholars, while adding: "The countries of the Americas are a priority area for the Government of Canada."??

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Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ruth Archibald (centre), addresses scholarship recipients today at the Barbados??Community College.?? Also pictured,??Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones (right) and??Chairman of the Board of Management – BCC, Stephen Broome??(left).?? (C.Henry/BGIS)??

Noting that each year over 400 ELAP scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and graduate level students from across the Caribbean and Latin America, she explained that the scholarships were strategic tools for Canada.??

"They allow us to create links between our universities and other post-secondary institutions and forge relationships between individuals," she underlined.

The envoy further stressed:?? "These people-to-people links are critical to our countries’ understanding of one another.?? Historically, these formal and informal linkages have reaped tremendous benefits for everyone concerned, so this relatively new programme of scholarships will continue these benefits."

Further noting that the Scholarships were announced by Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper in 2007 on a visit to Barbados, she commended the five recipients who will be furthering their education at the Lampton College from September 2012 to April 2013.

Moreover, she pointed out that ELAP Scholarships were initially announced in 2009.?? Ten students will attend the St. Lawrence College for a semester, while two students will also attend the Sheridan College for one semester.

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Shamkoe Pil??

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