Three students from the University of the West Indies Open Campus are now breathing easier, as 50 per cent of their school fees will be paid by the Mustique Charitable Trust.{{more}}

Last Tuesday, recipients Rosalind Ash, a teacher at the C.W Prescod Primary who is conducting studies for a degree in Primary Education-Language Arts; Rosmond Richardson, a teacher at the Emmanuel School Mesopotamia, who has opted for a degree in Education-Mathematics; and Roxanne Campbell, a clerk at the Police Department who is pursuing a certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management-Level 1, all received their cheques.

As part of their effort to enhance their learning, Ash and Campbell both received brand new Acer laptops, while Richardson who already has a laptop, declined the offer for one.

Richardson, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, expressed gratitude for the contribution made by the Mustique Charitable Trust and said they feel blessed by the organisation. He also urged other students to strive for pursue higher education.

Administrator of the Trust Lavinia Gunn announced that there were 16 applicants who were then narrowed down to six, but finally three were chosen. Gunn admitted that the three selected were the ones most in need.

Gunn also mentioned that a bursary programme and not full scholarship was designed by the Trust, to ensure that students play an instrumental role in contributing to their education. She also pointed out that the students selected showed a capacity to strive for excellence despite their challenges and urged them to use their education to enrich others.

Head of the UWI Open Campus, Dr Adrian Fraser congratulated the students and praised Gunn for her tenacity in ensuring that the bursary programme was established. He also thanked all the contributors for their generosity and assured persons who wished to apply for the next selection in January 2011 that the bursary would be on the UWI website.

The Mustique Charitable Trust was established in 2008 by home owners on the Grenadine island of Mustique to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mustique Company.