International College Fair held in Nevis

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - STUDENTS, parents and interested persons had an opportunity to sample various overseas colleges during a College Fair held yesterday at Occasions and hosted by the Nevis Public Library.

The Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry, officially opened the fair and advised students to make enquiries of the support systems available once they are enrolled in overseas colleges.

“Avail yourselves of this opportunity, speak to representatives and make comparisons,” Parry told students present. He said Nevis Island Administration (NIA) was committed to education and allocated a significant part of the budget to education.

A cross-section of overseas and local representatives spoke about the various procedures students have to go through to be enrolled in the colleges. Canada-based Trent University’s representative Cynthia Bennett Awe said her college enrolls students who have five CXC subjects including two “A” level unit passes.

She said students could work on campus on arrival or off campus after six months. Trent also internationalises education by sending students to other universities outside of Canada before they graduate. She also indicated that students could live in Canada as many years as they want after graduation.

DeVry University also participated, but for the first time, and according to its representative, Brian Blessing, his college will expand its Caribbean programme to Nevisian students. He said they would create a unique programme for Nevis by working closely with the Ministry of Education.

Blessing said the programme would involve five to 20 students and informed that all courses offered at DeVry campuses are also offered online.

Grace Laplace, who represented the University of the West Indies (UWI), said scholarships were available and qualifying students could access them online through the campuses’ websites.

She said those who could not pursue their education as resident students could enroll for the open Campuses. She also informed that open campuses do not compromise the standards established for residential campuses.

Caribbean students who enroll at Grenada-based St. George’s University stand a chance to get scholarships. Students who wish to pursue medicine as well as other general degrees have great opportunities at St. George’s University.

Krystle Dookoo, the International Student Advisor, said the Monroe University is currently home to 15 St. Kitts and Nevis students. The college offers partial scholarships based on academic performance.  ~~Adz:Left~~

Sharon Lescot who represented the Nevis-based University of the Americas said the college offers scholarships to Nevisian and Kittitian students who wish to take careers in medicine. The scholarships are given through the NIA.

Also present at the College Fair were members of the Nevis School Counsellors Alliance.  Nevisian-born Dr. Melvan Swanston, who spoke on behalf of the Alliance, said students could successfully pursue careers in the field of psychology.

“Those with a motivation to help others deal with issues and those with an understanding of human nature can pursue a career in psychology,” Dr. Swanston said, adding not enough exposure has been given to the profession locally.

“It is not part of our culture to decipher psychological issues. Yet, the needs are enormous. We need to understand the psychological dynamics of behaviour. Many students are underperforming due to psychological reasons which need to be identified and treated,” Dr. Swanston said.

Chief Librarian Lornette Hanley said the International College Fair was a major success.  She said participating colleges’ representatives found the Fair an avenue through which they could recruit students.

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter, SKNVibes.com