UWIOC students get bursaries from Mustique Charitable Trust

Four students of the University of the West Indies Open Campus (UWIOC) have received bursaries from the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) to assist them in completing their studies.

Last Saturday, at a handing over ceremony, administrative officer, UWIOC, Camille Lakhram explained that although the committee was looking for only three exceptional students, a fourth person was so outstanding that the person was awarded the opportunity.

“The competition tends to be very stiff in that the norm is three awardees, but one awardee was so outstanding that the chairman of the board insisted that we make an exception. So, this year, we carry four new bursaries instead of the standard three,” Lakhram explained.

Administrator of the Trust Lavinia Gunn said there were over 40 applicants this year and the four were selected because of how well they had sold themselves during the interview.

Gunn gave credit to the bursary donor who wanted to make sure that the recipients were going to give back to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and without that donor, the programme would not have been possible.

The four bursary recipients for 2017 are Troy Bullock, Shamika Cambridge, Morris Charles and Almartin Duncan. Each recipient will have 60 per cent of the fees paid for their entire programme, as well as brand new laptops. They will also have a mentor to provide support. The bursary for each student, according to their course, is estimated to cost EC$18,000.

Gunn said recent former recipients of the MCT bursaries were valedictorians.

“Mr Nick Francis and Mr Graham Greaves, they have been alumni students and given the valedictorian address on graduation and so, of course, we feel that our students are doing very well.”

Shamika Cambridge, the lone female recipient, said she is extremely happy and would not have been able to complete the programme without the financial assistance. She plans to tackle illiteracy in her community of Greiggs.

“I believe that to teach somebody to read is to give them the gift of learning through life,” Cambridge said.

Troy Bullock was grateful and plans through his church outreach programme to mentor young men into excelling academically.

Almartin Duncan said he was ecstatic and happy to be a part of the MCT family and that the bursary will change his life for the better.

Morris Charles, who will pursue studies in Management and Financial Management, promised the Trust that he will not disappoint.

Featured speaker Janelle Allen congratulated the students on being selected and encouraged them to maintain good grades, to successfully complete the programmes and that upon completion, they should pursue higher education.

The MCT Bursary Programme so far has awarded 22 students of the UWIOC with financial assistance.(CB)