Deputy Prime Minister Condor meets with local students studying in Taiwan

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, OCTOBER 13TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis studying in the Republic of China (Taiwan) were reminded of their responsibility to positively contribute to the Federation upon the completion of their studies in the Asian nation.

Students engage Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor (right), left is Personal Assistant Ms. Sherima Powell and St. Kitts and Nevis Resident Ambassador in Taiwan Her Excellency Jasmine Huggins

“A chain is as strong as its weakest link and St. Kitts and Nevis must have all on board, not just for personal desires and ambitions, but a national desire to uplift the Federation,” said St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Immigration, Labour and Social Security, who led a delegation to Taipei to attend the 100th Anniversary celebrations of the Founding of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ian Queeley; Secretary General of UNESCO, Mr. Antonio Maynard, and his Personal Assistant, Ms. Sherima Powell.

Minister Condor expressed his pleasure at being able to meet with the students and extended his congratulations on their decision to further their education in Taiwan.

He reminded them of the proud history of educational excellence in the Federation and the wider Caribbean, and thanked the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their generosity in providing scholarship opportunities for the students of the Federation.

He referred to two attributes of the people of Taiwan that were worthy of emulation: a strong work ethic and national pride and urged the students to “show empathy and understanding of the achievements of the people of Taiwan and be mindful that you are being observed and their reaction to you depends on what they see of you. If others are to come after you have finished your studies, it would depend on how you conduct yourselves in and out of class.”

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Condor and his delegation in group photo with St. Kitts and Nevis students studying in Taiwan. (Photos courtesy of the St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy in Taiwan.)

The Deputy Prime Minister also referred to the global economic difficulties that have negatively impacted the Federation and warned that countries that would successfully emerge from the prevailing circumstances are those which are best prepared, and further stated that education is a vehicle which can drive individuals and nations to prosperity.

Following his remarks, the students had the opportunity to ask questions about matters at home which were of concern to them.

The crime situation and cost of living dominated the discussion and were addressed by the assistant Commission of Police and the Deputy Prime Minster respectively.

After a lively question and answer period, the Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation were able to interact one on one with the students over light refreshments.