By Lincoln DePradine

When diplomat Henry Mangal was asked to address a group of students, who are all of Caribbean background, he reiterated a few key messages. One of them was the importance of studying hard to reap success.

“Pursue your studies diligently and with discipline. Settle for no less than success,’’ Mangal said, while addressing Sunday’s presentation of the 2023 scholarship and bursaries of the Council of Caribbean Associations-Canada (CCAC).

The awardees included nine students that received bursaries of $1,000 each.

Another student, Lenron Doyle, received a full tuition-paid scholarship from Seneca Polytechnic, formerly known as Seneca College.

Vincentian-born Doyle is enrolled at Seneca, pursuing an advanced diploma in business management. The Seneca Polytechnic scholarship is valued at $6,000 annually for four years.

Mangal, consul general in Toronto for St Lucia and also chair of the Caribbean Consular Corps, urged the recipients to “stay away from bad company and negative influences’’, and to “properly utilize’’ their CCAC and Seneca awards, saying it’s a chance for a better life for them and their families.

“We want you to understand that this is an investment in your family, and that others have sacrificed their income to make that investment in you. It is, therefore, your responsibility to make the investment yield a positive return by making the most of the opportunity provided,’’ said Mangal, a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the UK-based University of Westminster, and holder of a Master’s degree in strategic leadership.

 “Please, take your education seriously. It is your ticket out of poverty and in creating sustainable livelihoods and upward mobility for you and your family.’’

Mangal commended the CCAC, which is headed by Gideon Exeter as president, for the organization’s “commitment to the education of the children of the Caribbean in Toronto’’.

Despite challenges, CCAC has “persisted and persevered’’ with the awards, which Mangal described as a “positive program’’.

“We thank you for your dedication and commitment to our people,’’ he said.