CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – NEVISIAN Samantha Daniel was among 125 students who participated in orientation on Sunday (Aug. 30) at the Medical University of the Americas (MUA) campus.
Daniel and the other new students were briefed on administration, faculty, accommodation procedures and life in general on Nevis.
Executive Dean Dr. Gordon Greene told them to be true to their character, and reminded them that humility would be a key virtue during their training and practice. He said that the guiding principle should be putting patients first, because “they will share with you what they will never share with anybody else.”
Assistant Dean Dr. Samir Anadkat told the students that an 80 per cent minimum attendance policy was encouraged. He said Nevis provided a friendly, quiet learning environment and that MUA has an excellent academic track record.
Also speaking to the new students were the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Bob Mankoff, and Constable Shauna Pemberton, who is attached to the New Castle Police Station.
Dr. Mankoff called on them to adhere to the highest ethical standards, and said completion of Basic Sciences would require a great deal of hard work.
Constable Pemberton briefed the students on the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis, and asked them for strict compliance. She spoke to them about the traffic rules, insurance policies, and issues of personal security.
“First of all I want you to be very mindful and careful how you choose your friends. We are friendly people and we would like you to be friendly as well, but before you become close to individuals, you should seek as much information about those individuals as possible.”
Constable Pemberton told the students to take precautions to avoid becoming targets of petty thieves, who are present in any society. She said there was zero tolerance for drug abuse and firearms possession, and that possession of drugs carried a maximum fine of $100,000 or three years imprisonment if tried summarily.
The police officer also said that if one is tried in the High Court, there can be a fine of $200,000 or seven years imprisonment. One can be sentenced up to three years for possession of firearm summarily and seven years in the High Court.
Also present during the orientation ceremony was the Associate Dean, Dr. Jay Turkewitz, and the Director of Library Services, Rose Marie Scissions.
