Director of the BVI-Hong Kong Office, Dr Ricardo L. Wheatley, giving remarks at the 2025 Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies of the Taipei Medical University. Photo: Team of Reporters

Director of the BVI-Hong Kong Office, Dr Ricardo L. Wheatley (right), encouraged graduates of the Taipei Medical University (TMU) to aspire to be the best humans they can. Photo: Provided

Ms Tisa Donovan was the first Virgin Islander to graduate from the Asia-Abroad programme in 2025 with a Master’s Degree. Photo: Facebook

He was the first Virgin Islander invited to give remarks as a commencement guest speaker at TMU. The 2025 Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies took place on December 17, 2025.

Go do wonderful things

In his remarks, Dr Wheatley urged students not to let graduating be their greatest accomplishment. 

“Go out into the world and do wonderful things and have a life full of accomplishments. Let this be the first of many, and your life will be great, and your life will be successful.”

He reminded them that it is human intelligence that makes artificial intelligence, and it is emotional intelligence that makes them human.

“So go out and try to be the best human that you can be, be the best person that you can be. Treat others well and have a life of gratitude, and success will never be far behind…The attributes that you learn will take you through the good times and the bad times, and you will be moving towards success.”

Dr Wheatley encouraged graduates to continue working hard to be the best version of themselves, making their countries, people and families proud. 

Virgin Islanders part of TMU’s 6000 student population

TMU is a partner institution of BVI’s Asia Abroad Scholarship programme and provides tertiary studies in all medical, nursing, and public health fields. 

The university is home to a student population of 6000, including a large number of Caribbean nationals from Belize, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and, more recently, the Virgin Islands. 

Students from the Virgin Islands began attending TMU in 2023. 

Ms Tisa Donovan is the first Virgin Islander to graduate from the Asia-Abroad programme with a Master's Degree, having concluded studies in 2025. 

The second cohort of Virgin Islanders to graduate from TMU will be in 2027-2028.