An entrepreneur, a teacher and an aspiring criminologist are the three University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus students awarded with bursaries from the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) this year.

Corina Arrindell, a customer service representative at the Kingstown Co-operative Credit Union (KCCU); Kennica Thompson, a teacher at the Petit Bordel Secondary School; and entrepreneur Akeil Matthews were chosen after the completion of a rigorous selection process.

Sixty percent of their academic fees for the duration of their studies will be covered by the MCT, and the Trust has also gifted them with a new laptop.

The students received their new laptops at a ceremony for the presentation of the bursaries held at the UWI Open Campus last Friday, October 2.

They were also welcomed by the head of site of the UWI Open Campus, Deborah Dalrymple.

The head of site explained that the selection process for the receivers of the bursaries is two-fold. While it goes toward their personal development, she said that part of the criteria includes candidates having to demonstrate that they are patriotic, and community-minded.

“So, in addition to your own personal development, this partnership is producing candidates for the development of the country,” she noted.

“It’s quite a vigorous and rigorous selection process that we go through, including interviews, including looking at your academic strengths as well,” Dalrymple said as she congratulated them on succeeding.

The partnership between the MCT and the UWI Open Campus is over 10 years strong. To this date, it has yielded 17 successful graduates, which will soon be 18.

According to the Administration Director for the Trust, Dularie Malcolm, who was present to handover the goods last Friday; of these 17, there have been seven First Class honours degrees, three Upper Second, six Lower Second, and one certificate.

Sixteen students, the three most recent included, are currently in receipt of bursaries from the MCT.

This year’s applicants who met the criteria of the Trust, managed to stand out in different ways.

In the case of Thompson, she was credited for being a catalyst, along with her co-workers, in starting a Girl Guide company at the Petit Bordel Secondary School. This had the effect of opening up opportunities for the students, including travel to far flung countries on international camps.

Matthews proved himself to be an “innovative entrepreneur”, who churns out “brilliant ideas”, while Arrindell stood out as a compassionate woman who wishes to turn her attention to the plight of the abused.

The sole male recipient, Matthews, thanked the MCT on behalf of all awardees, assuring that the investment is a worthy one. “We have often been told that education is the surest way out of poverty, and it can act as a catalyst for change in the world. Today this grant will ensure that three more people are assured of a bright future, not just for ourselves, but for our families and the community,” Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT last Friday, Arrindell, who wishes to be a criminologist, or a social worker, disclosed that she is ecstatic, and excited about being given a bursary.

Since she applied for University in 2016, she has been trying to attain the funds for her further study, finally landing a job at KCCU this year.

“I would say this opportunity was actually meant for me because I found out about this scholarship one day before the deadline to hand in an application,” the young woman disclosed, and there was a rush to get everything completed.

The 25-year-old of Prospect is the first in her immediate family to go University. Before the Bursary, she had attained some funds via a student loan and will be able to cover the 40 per cent remaining expenses through this.

The laptop was also much needed, as she is currently having to borrow one from a friend.

“My aim is just to help students, help teens, young persons who would have been abused or who would have fallen victim, and fallen short in life,” the young woman said. She has witnessed young persons who have gone through traumatic events in their life, but, while the matter may be reported to the police, there is no follow up after this to help them rehabilitate.

She and her family are grateful for the opportunity given to her.