Youth in Focus: Nevis - Mr. Joshua Browne
By Claudia Liburd
Trinidad Reporter - SKNVibes.com
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Mr. Joshua Browne
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(Port-of-Spain, Trinidad) --- “A degree can help to better prepare one to serve one’s country at levels where education matters much. This does not mean that you cannot serve your country without a degree, but once a person can further their education I would encourage them to do so.”
These were the words of 20 year old Newtown native, Mr. Joshua Browne, during an exclusive interview with SKNVibes.com, outlining his recent experience at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus.
After migrating to Nevis in August of 1998 he then went on to Gingerland Secondary School from which he graduated in 2003. Later in 2003, he went on to the Charlestown Sixth Form College where he pursued advanced studies in the fields of Mathematics, Computer Science, Spanish, Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies.
In 2005, Browne worked with the Nevis Island Administration and was employed as a teacher at the Charlestown Secondary School from 2005-2007 and subsequently he decided to further his education.
“I chose UWI because I saw it as a way to maximize on our Caribbean higher learning resources, as well as to intermingle with my fellow Caribbean citizens, thus at the same time learn about our Caribbean”, said Browne, in describing his experience.
“So far, it has been fairly good. This first semester of my first year has been a time of transitioning for me. I was not fully prepared for work load that I had to manage, but as the semester unfolded I tried my best to be on par with my work. Now I know the requirements for success at this level and I am bracing myself for next year,” he continued.
Presently, Browne is a part of the Milner Hall Football Team as well as the Leeward Island Student Association of Trinidad and Tobago and is pursuing a major in the field of Mathematics. ~~Adz:Right~~
“I was encouraged by the Government to go in this vein which I didn’t mind. Our country needs qualified mathematicians, and I am willing to serve in this area. I personally am open to continue teaching for some years more, but I don’t know what the NIA would have in mind for me.
“Well we all know mathematics is very much discriminated against, for want of a better phrase. So, I’ll probably attempt to creatively increase interest in the mathematics field. It’s not for everybody though. You must be able to handle pressure, and be mentally competent to handle academic work”, said Browne.
With regard to tertiary level education Browne urged young people to advance educationally while he noted that success is not dependant upon a degree.
“A degree can help to better prepare one to serve one’s country at levels where education matters much. This does not mean that you cannot serve your country without a degree, but once a person can further their education I would encourage them to do so. However, people who get degrees should not allow it to ‘get to their head’ and make them arrogant,” he said.
“They should be humble with their degree and continue being normal relating to people in a cordial manner and not standoffish. There are many more things out there worth more than money such as relationships, family life, good health and a clean environment just to name a few. We should never allow our quest for a better life to negatively impact upon things like these that money can’t buy, repair or replenish”, said Browne conclusively.
