Medical school awards bursaries to seven children of employees (+video)

Seven children of employees of the St. James School of Medicine received bursaries each valued at $1500 to assist with their education.

The seven awards were distributed on Monday, September 19 at the School’s campus at Arnos Vale by Dean of Basic Sciences, Dr Alexey Pryakhin and Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Mirjana Milutinovic.

The awardees were: Dorian Charles and Treson Spencer, both form 2 students of the St. Vincent Grammar School; London Jackson, Azariah Lewis and Taiesha Martin all form 2 students of the Girls High School; Shaan Santhosh a form 3 student of the St. Vincent Grammar School and Malique Mayers a form 5 student of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Campus Manager of the St. James School of Medicine, Natasha Jackson told SEARCHLIGHT that they are committed to education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the institution recognises the importance of being educated. She explained that these bursaries will not only be beneficial to the students but will also add value to their parents who are employees of the school.

Following the handing over ceremony 12 year old Azariah Lewis said that she feels honoured to have received one of the bursaries because this was never done by the university before, and she is happy to be one of the first recipients. Her mother, Kimera Smith said she was excited that her daughter received one of the bursaries and believes that it is a very good gesture that the school introduced.

And, 13 year old Shaan Santhosh who has his eyes on being a Biomedical Engineer or a Computer Scientist said that he is encouraged because bursaries can help offset fees regarding school expenses. His mother who is a lecturer of Microbiology and Immunology at the St James School of Medicine thinks the awards are a great motivation and incentive for the students which will encourage them to improve their performance.

She also feels that it will encourage other students to aim for academic excellence.

The bursaries were given to the students based on their academic performance at school.

[Changed at 2:31pm on September 23, 2022, to reflect that the number of bursary recipients is seven and not eight]