BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FIVE individuals who are on the brink of pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) were yesterday (August 15) given a financial boost when they were awarded the Robert Manning University Financial Assistance Scholarship.
The recipients received monetary assistance of various amounts - based on their specific needs - which will be used to help defray costs that are usually incurred by students studying abroad.
The lucky persons are Tevin Phillip who will be pursuing Mathematics and Computer Science; Celestine Williams who will be studying Mass Communication;
Ornette Henry who will be pursuing English Language and Literature with Education; Cuthbert Caines who will be studying Youth and Community Work; and Javeim Blanchette who will be studying Biology.
In a ceremony held at Social Security yesterday, the five recipients received a total of EC$120 000 to assist them in their educational advancement.
Assistant Director of Social Security, Elvin Bailey said that the Board is not obligated to provide financial assistance of this nature but "the Board in its wisdom has determined that an educated people would be, should be and must be a working people".
He noted that the young population that accedes to the University level education in the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean State (OECS) was at 6.5 percent which is very low.
"This particular activity that the Board has ascribed to itself is of particular significance in helping us to move beyond the label of Third World and to help us in the long run to take our place on the world stage," he said.
Chairman of the Social Security Board, Halva Hendrickson, in addressing the recipients said that Robert Manning, in whose honour the scholarship is named, among a few others were not blessed with the opportunity to gain a University education but due to their level of commitment to their job and their willingness to learn, they outshined those who did have a higher level of education.
He congratulated the awardees whom he said should take full advantage of the financial assistance that they received and excel. He said that the Board is giving a lot of money but "it is money well spent".
Hon. Sam Condor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Security said that the Company is committed to its responsibility of doing its part to develop the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and that providing scholarships to deserving recipients is just one way of honouring that commitment.
"Social Security is proud that it could make this contribution to the development of our young people who are the human resource of our country. We take our responsibilities very seriously and the rationale of Social Security is to develop the country.
"This scholarship is an investment in you so that you could be in a better position to develop the country so that we can continue to grow not only for now but for future generations," he said.
Recipient Tevin Phillip, in thanking the Social Security Board for their financial assistance promised, on behalf of all the recipients that the financial aid would be put to good use as they strive to better themselves and in turn better the Federation.
"We have been blessed with the opportunity of going to University with this financial assistance. We are able to pursue our goals, our dreams and aspirations at the University level while Social Security eases the financial burden in this pursuit.
"It is our promise to you that your investment would not be wasted, that after our days as University students, we will return to the Federation as better, smarter people and people willing and able to help and aid our community in ways that may not necessarily have been able to before. We aim to contribute to St. Kitts and Nevis on a whole with our talents, skills and education," he said.
The scholarship was first established in 1994 and every three years persons are selected by the Scholarship and Training Committee and each recipient receives assistance based on how long they will be studying and their financial needs.
To date, the Social Security Board in honour of Robert Manning has distributed a total of EC$630 000.
