Each year, scores of students leave the shores of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to pursue tertiary level studies at universities worldwide.{{more}} A significant number of them attend the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, located in Barbados. As is primary to nature, the well-being and welfare of these students are always of concern. To this end, the need for a welfare organization that caters specifically to the needs of Vincentian students pursuing studies in Barbados was realized, and on November 4, 1981, the Vincentian Students’ Association (VINSA) was founded. The association serves to cater to the needs of its members as best it can, with food, school supplies or any other such need that will make the life of a student living in Barbados somewhat easier.

This year, VINSA (Cave Hill) will be celebrating 30 years of existence under the theme “Realizing Potentials and Encouraging Creativity, VINSA Cave Hill Celebrates 30”. To commemorate this year’s anniversary, the Executive plans to host a number of events, the first of which is a lecture series at Frenches House beginning on August 4, 2011, and continuing on the 11th and 18th August at 8:00 pm nightly. The topics to be discussed are ‘The empowerment of the Caribbean woman through tertiary education’, ‘After 31 years of Independence, has tertiary education truly transformed our society into a more informed and knowledge based one?’, and ‘The development of an entrepreneurial spirit among our Vincentian youths can transform our country.’ The speakers are Margaret John, Luke Browne and Joel Providence.

Along with the lecture series, there will also be a school tour during the months of December and January, along with other activities at the Cave Hill Campus.

This year, the Executive comprises 13 members: Kenrick Quashie – President, Asheika Charles – Vice President, Shernell Hadaway – Secretary, Annaza Simmons – Treasurer, Andrew Young – P.R.O, June Ann Butler – Liaison Officer, Kari Da Silva – Cultural Entertainment and Activities Chairperson, Shemelia Small – Welfare Officer, Shamir Francois – Special Project Coordinator, Shapheika Caine – Returning Officer, Jai Len Williams – On-hall Representative, Melecia Abott – Off-hall Representative, and Kisha Sutherland – Constitutional Chairperson.

Since taking office, the members of the Executive have taken the initiative to garner support through relief efforts from fellow students on campus to acquire donations and contributions for individuals affected by flash floods and torrential rains earlier this year. These items will be handed over to the relevant personnel in the upcoming weeks.

All interested persons can contact VINSA through its facebook account Vinsa Cavehill or via email at vinsacavehill@gmail.com. Persons can also look forward to visiting its website www.vinsacavehill.com in the upcoming weeks.

An orientation session will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at 5:00 pm, for all first year students heading off to Cave Hill Campus at the University of the West Indies Open Campus in Richmond Hill.