OECS Embassy in Morocco Honors Eastern Caribbean Graduates

Agadir – The Embassy of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to Morocco held a Graduate Recognition Ceremony and Reception on Saturday, September 12, celebrating 14 Eastern Caribbean students who completed their studies at Moroccan universities and higher education institutions.

Held at the Rabat Marriott Hotel, the ceremony brought together Eastern Caribbean graduates, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives of Moroccan academic and institutional partners to recognize the students’ achievements and point to the growing educational cooperation between Morocco and the Eastern Caribbean.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Eastern Caribbean States to Morocco Ian M. Queeley hosted the ceremony, which marked the first graduate recognition event organized by the OECS Embassy in Morocco.

Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the event, Queeley said the ceremony aimed to recognize the students’ efforts after completing their academic journeys in Morocco.

“We’re truly delighted to put on this graduate recognition ceremony, which was the first of its kind recognizing the hard work of the students who have completed the academic journey in the year 2026,” the ambassador said.

Queeley said the 14 graduates demonstrated “perseverance to triumph,” the theme chosen for the ceremony.

The ambassador also highlighted Morocco’s scholarship program for students from OECS member states, saying the North African country offers 120 scholarships annually.

“The Kingdom of Morocco offers to the member states of the Eastern Caribbean a total of 120 scholarships per year,” Queeley added, describing the program as “a significant step in building capacity within the member states.”

The ambassador also expressed gratitude to Morocco for its support of education and human capital development in the Eastern Caribbean.

“We are very grateful to His Majesty and the government and people of Morocco for the investment in the human capital of our member states,” Queenley maintained.

“And so we look forward as we move from strength to strength to improve on this partnership and to deliver for people of the Eastern Caribbean member states,” the ambassador added.

‘Studying in Morocco has been an incredible experience’ 

The ceremony also allowed graduates to reflect on their academic experiences and the lessons they gained during their time in Morocco.

Among them was Janique Raymond, a Saint Lucian graduate and President of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean Students in Morocco.

Raymond graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology after studying at the Faculty of Science and Technology in Tangier.

Speaking to MWN, he described his experience in Morocco as “incredible,” saying his time in the North African country allowed him to combine academic learning with exposure to Moroccan culture.

“Studying here in Morocco has been an incredible experience; it’s been very enriching and exciting,” Raymond said.

He said he spent his years in Morocco learning at Moroccan higher education institutions while also experiencing the country’s “rich and vibrant culture.”

“It’s a really beautiful city; it reminds me of the Caribbean actually, and it’s just one of the gems of Morocco,” the student explained.

Raymond also pointed to the relationship between Morocco and the Eastern Caribbean, saying students from the region have received support during their studies.

“Morocco and the Eastern Caribbean have had excellent relations over the past couple of years, and it’s only getting better,” Raymond said.

“They are very good hosts to us, always accommodating our needs and it has been a wonderful experience,” he added.

For Raymond, studying in Morocco also provided an opportunity to develop a different perspective beyond the classroom.

He said the differences between Morocco and the Caribbean encouraged him to explore new academic and cultural environments and acquire skills that could be useful beyond university.

“It gives you a new outlook on life, and it teaches you different skills to apply in the real world,” Raymond concluded.

Civil engineering graduate reflects on opportunity

Andres Daniel, another Saint Lucian graduate, completed a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering after spending three years studying in Morocco.

Also speaking to MWN on the sidelines of the event, Daniel described his overall experience as positive, despite facing some challenges along the way.

“I studied in Morocco for three years. I did my bachelor’s in civil engineering, and I must say that my experience here was a lovely one,” the Saint Lucian graduate said.

Daniel said studying in Morocco offered him an opportunity to pursue higher education in engineering, particularly given the options available to students from Saint Lucia.

“From the Eastern Caribbean, specifically Saint Lucia, we don’t have much development in terms of high-level education,” he further explained.

As an aspiring engineering and science professional, Daniel said he viewed studying in Morocco as a valuable opportunity because of the country’s technological development.

“I found it a wonderful opportunity to study in Morocco as they have proved to have many technological advancements,” he said.

Beyond his academic training, Daniel said his experience exposed him to Morocco’s language, culture, and traditions.

“From Morocco, I will take back the language and the culture and all of the lessons that I learned along the way,” Daniel concluded.

The recognition ceremony comes within broader educational cooperation between Morocco and the countries of the Eastern Caribbean, with Moroccan scholarships providing students from OECS member states with opportunities to pursue higher education in the country.