BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (August 22, 2016) -- Nationals of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Region have been offered 18 British Chevening scholarships and the St. Kitts and Nevis Chevening Alumni Group is calling on more Kittitians and Nevisians to apply before the November 8 deadline.
While St. Kitts and Nevis has managed to produce at least one scholarship recipient since 2011, records have it that among the countries in the region, the Federation submits the least number of applications.
“There are some countries that continue to have multiple recipients each year, and this year with the increase in the number of scholarships offered, one country has up to six recipients,” explained SKN Chevening Alumni Group Leader Ms Sonia Boddie on Saturday August 20 at a ‘Get Set and Ready for University’ seminar held at the NEMA Conference Room in Lime Kiln, Basseterre.
“We would hope that next year when the list comes out we would have at least two persons from the Federation, because we firmly believe that we have a large number of nationals who meet the criteria for the scholarship,” she added. “So we want to strongly encourage persons to apply for this fully funded Masters Scholarship, as the deadline is November eight. The scholarship process is now open and if you go to www.chevening.org you will find out more information about the scholarships.”
She however promised the over 60 participants that the St. Kitts Nevis Alumni Group was ready to avail its members to assist any person who needs assistance in terms of submitting the application, noting that even beyond Chevening they are available to lend whatever assistance they can, to anybody who is planning on going off to pursue tertiary education.
“The St. Kitts Nevis Chevening Alumni Group is very passionate about the educational advancement of our people,” said Ms Boddie. “We see this as an opportunity to help more persons in our society to gain tertiary education and to lend them that helping hand they need in terms of ensuring that they submit strong applications.
“However, it is important to highlight that our seminar goes beyond providing information about universities and scholarships, we also want persons to understand what are the requirements for accessing student loans as well and that is why we have partnered with the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, for a second year, and afforded them an opportunity to dialogue with our participants. We are extremely happy to have them on board.”
The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, which is the Federation’s leader in offering student loans, was represented by its Support Officer for Marketing Ms Vernitha Maynard who gave tips to the prospective students on how to obtain the student loans. With the assistance of Mr Odenn Blanchette, a summer intern at the bank, Ms Maynard made an animated PowerPoint presentation.
Subject points included Preparing for University and things to consider, steps taken in applying for student loan, which she informed the maximum was US$35,000 (EC$95,092), and the documents required for loan security. She further advised that disbursements are no longer by way of cheques, but via a MasterCard Debit Card issued in collaboration with the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank.
A similar seminar was held in Nevis at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall in Charlestown on Saturday August 13 where over 40 persons were in attendance. Representing the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis was Ms Hazeldine Lewis of the Nevis branch office.
“I am extremely excited,” said Ms Sonia Boddie. “I am happy that again we are able to deliver yet another exciting ‘Get Ready for University’ seminar here in St. Kitts, which completes our two-part seminar series because last week we were in Nevis.”
She pointed out that as a group they value education, as education is key and knowledge is power. Other members are the Hon Hazel Brandy-Williams, Mr Augustine Merchant, Mr Raoul Pemberton, Ms Wendy Elliot, Ms Jihan Williams, Mr Kenrod Roberts, Ms Kurlyn Merchant, Ms Kimberly Evelyn, Mr Vondez Phipps, and Andrew Satney, while the 2016 Chevening Scholarship recipient is Ms Shanelle Simmonds who will be travelling to the UK next month.
“We have benefitted from the Chevening Scholarships by earning a free Masters in the UK,” commented Ms Boddie. “As a result of that we have all come back to St. Kitts and Nevis with a deep desire to give back to our country and hence why we have put on these ‘Get Set and Ready for University’ seminars to assist others with their educational advancement as well.”
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