The BVI Hong Kong Office in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture announces the launch of the Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme. Photo: GIS

According to a Tuesday, December 14, 2021, press release on the initiative, the Virgin Islanders now have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the region through a wide range of academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

The scholarships are based on a three-way funding model between partnering Asian universities, the BVI Government, and the private sector in which awardees are eligible for a combination of tuition, housing, return flight tickets, and a living allowance to cover the cost of degree or short study programmes.

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley stated that the Asia Abroad Programme provides financial support to eligible Virgin Islanders to undertake Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral degree programmes, as well as language studies at world-class universities across a developed Asia.

He said, “The Asia Study Abroad Programme is a tremendous opportunity for Virgin Islanders to advance and broaden horizons for higher levels of tertiary education beyond the Caribbean, UK and USA. I am pleased that we were able to see the programme come to fruition and I would like to encourage all eligible persons to apply earnestly. Asia offers a cutting-edge learning experience with a dynamic blend of social, cultural and educational experiences. This is the future and we have to be proactive and take advantage in anticipation of a changing world.”

In the 21st century, the rapid development of the Asia-Pacific has reshaped the global landscape as the region is rapidly becoming the centre of the global economy.   The scholarship programme supplements the existing 30-year partnership between BVI’s Financial Services Sector and regional financial markets in Asia.

Director of the BVI’s Hong Kong Office & Asia-Pacific Representative, Dr. Ricardo Wheatley further stated that, “We are excited for the prospect of more Virgin Islanders travelling to Asia to meet their educational and professional goals. The BVI Hong Kong Office is at hand to guide and support programme participants during the period of their studies, serving as a point of contact and liaison between our students and the Virgin Islands Government. We have maintained a strategic relationship in the realm of financial services and now we look forward to engaging in more diverse areas for collaboration through this programme and other sectors.”