Washington Heights, New York. – President Luis Abinader announced this Thursday 300 scholarships for young Dominicans residing in New York, of which 100 will be for postgraduate studies, 100 for undergraduate degrees, and another 100 for technological training at the Instituto Tecnológico de Las Américas (ITLA).
The president explained that the 200 undergraduate and graduate scholarships will be organized through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), the General Consulate of the Dominican Republic in New York, and the Ministry of the Presidency, with specialized funds from the Presidency.
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“I also want to announce for Dominicans abroad, specifically in New York, that we are going to organize, through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, the Consulate, and the Ministry of the Presidency, 100 postgraduate scholarships for you and 100 undergraduate scholarships,” stated ABINADER.
Abinader indicated that all requirements will be informed subsequently and established that the opportunities will be granted taking into account the academic performance and merits of the students. “You do not need connections or to know anyone; only your grades and your merits. That is how it will be established,” he affirmed.
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Likewise, he announced another 100 technology scholarships to study at ITLA, with which young people will have the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic, expand their knowledge, and strengthen their ties with the country. “I spoke with the director of ITLA and we are also going to give them 100 technology scholarships for ITLA, so that they can go there and get to know it,” he stated.
And he added: “I am sure that, although you may have more advanced equipment here, we also have state-of-the-art equipment and you will always learn something. You will always discover something, even through the friends you will make, the knowledge of many of the people who are there, and, finally, even from the contact with your country”.
In a relaxed moment during the meeting, President Abinader shared with the young people present and, at the president’s own request, took a selfie with them, as part of the atmosphere of closeness and exchange that characterized the activity.
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During the activity, President Abinader was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Víctor -Ito- Bisonó; the Dominican consul in New York, Jesús Vásquez Martínez; and the Vice Minister of Government Coordination and Monitoring, Luis Madera Sued.
The president spoke while leading the Panel: Dominican Youth Abroad; a generation of impact, together with Génesis Suero, communicator and journalist, correspondent for NBC Telemundo Network and presenter of En Casa con Telemundo; Juan Vargas, engineer and mathematician specializing in Computer Science, founder of Factor Blockchain and with professional experience at the National Security Agency (NSA); and Dr. Ángel Rosario, physician and General Surgery resident at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, with a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard University. It was moderated by Eridenia Lora, lawyer and honorary coordinator abroad for the National Youth Award.
Proud of the Dominican youth abroad
During the meeting, President Abinader expressed his satisfaction and pride in the young Dominicans residing in the United States, whom he defined as an example of the country’s youth. “This is the true youth of the Dominican Republic and you are, I am very pleased, very proud of you. I feel privileged to be here accompanying you and talking with you.”
He added that they represent the majority of Dominican youth, a studious youth that is truly an example for the country and also for New York, and he highlighted that many possess both Dominican and American nationalities, which he said is an advantage for the young people because it allows them to know and navigate two cultures. “That duality, instead of being something that affects you, is quite the opposite. It helps you, because you have the vision of two cultures. Never forget your family’s original culture, your land, which will always be there,” he stated.
In that sense, he urged them to preserve their Dominican nationality and maintain a close relationship with the country. “Keep your passport, keep your nationality, because the Dominican Republic will always have its doors open to you and will always be your land,” he stated, while explaining that maintaining that closeness to their origins can also facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, business, and education between both countries.
Proposes forum between youth abroad and the Dominican Republic
The president also proposed that outstanding young people residing abroad participate in a special forum together with outstanding young people from the Dominican Republic, to exchange ideas about the initiatives they can develop for the benefit of the country. “I propose that these outstanding young people participate in a special forum with outstanding young people from the Dominican Republic, so that they can discuss among themselves what things they can do for the country, obviously with the help of the Government as well”.
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He explained that this approach will also allow for the generation of knowledge, friendships, and new contacts with the Dominican Republic. “I feel privileged, and it is a source of pride for me to have such capable young people, because you are the ones who represent the heart and the example of our country,” he concluded.
Panelist interventions
When addressing the concerns of the youth, President Abinader explained that sargassum constitutes a multidimensional problem, as it affects not only tourism but also power generation. He indicated that the Dominican Republic is developing research to determine how to efficiently collect, transport, and industrialize it, including its potential use as fertilizer, and noted that the country is sharing studies and progress with Mexico and the United States to seek a comprehensive solution.
Regarding education and technology, the president stated that training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is fundamental for new technologies and youth employability. He highlighted that the country exports US$2.8 billion in medical devices, is advancing a strategy to assemble semiconductors, and has a national artificial intelligence strategy.
Likewise, he highlighted the expansion of technical and technological education, noting that INFOTEP went from eight schools in 2020 to 64 today, while the ITLA, which had approximately one and a half campuses, now has ten distributed throughout the national territory. “That is the value we place on digital education,” he expressed.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Abinader highlighted the RD Aprende program, aimed at basic literacy in this subject, and maintained that “artificial intelligence is not ethical or unethical in itself,” but rather depends on the information fed into it, how it is designed, and the decisions of those who develop it.
The head of state also highlighted the high regard for ITLA graduates in the labor market, and recounted as an example the interest of banking entities in hiring their students. “Look at the value placed on ITLA graduates,” he stated.
When asked about cryptocurrencies and new forms of investment, the president urged young people to act with knowledge and prudence. “Do not invest in what you do not know, in what you do not understand, and in what you do not comprehend,” he stated, while recommending that they seek guidance from people with the necessary knowledge and integrity before making these types of investments.
Abinader listens to the initiatives of Dominican youth abroad
In addition, the panel moderator, Eridemia Núñez, thanked President Luis Abinader for his interest in reaching out to and listening to the initiatives of Dominican youth abroad, and valued the support of the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York, Jesús Vásquez, for initiatives aimed at young people. During the meeting, she led the questions on the environment, artificial intelligence, education, technology, health, and opportunities for the diaspora, and highlighted the participation of young Dominicans from New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, communicator and journalist Génesis Suero thanked President Abinader for dedicating part of his agenda to the youth of the diaspora and stated that Dominicans abroad are “the number one promoters of ensuring the Dominican Republic is not forgotten when we leave our country.” When addressing the use of artificial intelligence in communication, she maintained that it is the journalist’s duty to “do my homework, corroborate that the information is genuine, and ensure that it is not used to cause harm to others.”
For his part, Dr. Ángel Rosario, a general surgery resident at Columbia University and founder of Socially Responsible Surgery, explained that the organization works to understand and reduce the social factors that hinder access to surgery, with a special focus on the Dominican community in Washington Heights. He indicated that they have developed research in conjunction with the Dominican Studies Institute and Dr. Ramona Hernández, initiatives with students from George Washington High School, and a patient navigator program to support individuals before and after an operation. Likewise, he highlighted the possibilities of technology and robotic surgery to expand access to surgical services for vulnerable communities and raised the importance of promoting leadership and exchange programs between the Dominican Republic and the United States in the field of health.
Meanwhile, engineer and mathematician Juan Vargas, founder of Factor Blockchain, explained that blockchain and cryptocurrencies are distinct concepts and pointed out that this technology can have applications in areas such as security, real estate, tourism, music, events, and transportation. He explained that his project allows for cryptographic audits of security certificates and maintained that blockchain can be used to transfer rental contracts or property titles, among other applications. Regarding investments, he recommended distinguishing between cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects that offer tangible services, considering that the latter are linked to services with real-world applications.
Talent, discipline and commitment of young people
The event was held at the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center, the Dominican consul in New York, Jesús Vásquez Martínez, presented the 2026 edition of Origins of Excellence and thanked President Abinader for recognizing the talent, discipline, and commitment of the youth, and for making them feel that the Dominican Republic values the achievements of its youth abroad.
He invited the young people to prepare themselves, to seek guidance, and to trust in their abilities. “Our community needs your talent in the professions, in business, in the arts, and in public service. And it also needs your solidarity: when you help another young person move forward, you contribute to the growth of us all. Mr. President. In this youth, there is knowledge, creativity, and experience that can strengthen the ties between our country and the United States. Listening to their aspirations and supporting them is a responsibility we take on from the Consulate,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Miguel Arias Suárez, former president of the Dominican Students Association at City College, a Political Science graduate and master’s student in Public Administration, highlighted the effort of young Dominicans abroad to study, work, and support their families without losing their connection to their culture, and raised the need to strengthen institutional support for this population. He valued initiatives such as the National Youth Award, the Juan Pablo Duarte Games, and the scholarships announced by President Abinader.
