The Republic of Cuba in Belize awarded 14 scholarships to Belizeans to further their studies in Cuba in continuing to strengthen ties of solidarity and development, said the Government of Belize Press Office.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST) in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Belize and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration held a ceremony at the House of Culture for the official presentation of the scholarship awards and recognition to the fourteen recipients of the Cuba-Belize Scholarship Programme 2022, said MoECST on social media.
Minister of Education Francis Fonseca told the students that he always tells students who travel representing Belize, that they are ambassadors of Belize.
“Each and every one of you is an ambassador of Belize when you’re out there,” said Minister Fonseca.
“What you do out there, what you do in Cuba, reflects on you, it reflects on your family, and it reflects on the people of Belize. It’s a beautiful opportunity. It’s an honor to get this scholarship. Many, many people try, and you are the chosen ones this year. So, take full advantage of this opportunity. Make the most of it. Make yourself proud, make your families proud, and make Belize proud.”
Cuban Ambassador María Caridad Balaguer Labrada said the Cuban government gives priority to the training of human resources because the people are the foundation for development. She emphasized that since the start of the Cuban Revolution, one of their goals was access to free education and the continuous improvement of educational institutions.
“I want to tell you that in Cuba you will have the opportunity to know friendly people who will receive all of you with love and friendship,” Balaguer Labrada said.
“You will also have the opportunity to know students from our region and other continents as a sign of the solidarity that must prevail among all our nations for the benefit of our people.
For her part, MoECST Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia praised the Cuban government for the scholarships.
“When you think of Cuba’s commitment to this scholarship program, we realize that the Cuban gifts to our nation really go past the gifts of possession. Cuba gives off herself in the sustained dedication to the Belizean students who travel there in search of higher education,” Maheia Said.
