The Dominica State College (DSC) and the Kalinago community are celebrating a proud milestone as Aliya Francis, a Tourism Studies major, has been awarded the prestigious Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) Scholarship to study in Canada this fall.
Aliya will spend the semester at Nova Scotia Community College, Akerley Campus, specializing in Business Tourism. Her time at DSC, enriched by internships and hands-on training, has already equipped her with a strong foundation in tourism and hospitality. This international opportunity will further enhance her academic and professional development, while also exposing her to global best practices that can benefit Dominica’s tourism sector.
Significantly, Aliya is the first Indigenous student from Dominica to earn this award. As a proud Kalinago, she views the chance to study in Canada—home to vibrant Indigenous communities—as an invaluable platform for cultural exchange and exploration of Indigenous identity on a global level.
Reflecting on the achievement, Aliya shared:
“I see this as a transformative opportunity, both academically and personally. I’m grateful to my supporters, especially the Tourism and Hospitality Department at DSC, and I’m eager to use this experience to give back to my community and my country.”
DSC extends heartfelt congratulations to Miss Aliya Francis and wishes her every success on this exciting journey.
