Senior civil servant urges students to make good use of scholarship

Students have been encouraged to not take things like scholarships for granted; even as they also have been advised not to misuse the many artificial intelligence (AI) tools that are available.

“I honestly feel like at this time in history, we need to ensure our youth understand the weight on their shoulders,” Dr Tamira Browne told a gathering on Tuesday, August 20,2024.

“As scholarship or bursary recipients, there is weight on your shoulders. I believe in the quote ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’ and I definitely believe in your potential so that you can achieve the extraordinary.”

Dr. Browne was the guest speaker at the St. Vincent and Building and Loan Association’s (SVBL) annual scholarship and bursary ceremony held at the organization’s White Chapel Road headquarters during which two scholarships were granted to Tariq John and Asa Bowens who will be entering the St Vincent Grammar School at the start of the new school year.

Dr. Browne, however, cautioned against the inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, while advising the students that there are people who believe in their potential and as a result, invest in them.

“You all did CPEA this year, or at one point or another. You are here because Building and Loan recognised that you did well and they want you to continually do well. They want to protect your value but, it is important that you want to protect your value too.”

She said students can protect their value and the Building and Loan scholarship investment by, among other things, studying, waking up early to ensure timely arrival at school, carrying themselves well, getting involved in extra-curricular activities, asking questions in class, and by using the scholarship funds to buy extra books and resources that will help achieve academic success and strengthen overall profile in school, community, and country.

“You protect the investment being made by Building and Loan by getting your name out there, by participating in art, essay, public speaking competitions and more, which helps to get your name out there,” Dr. Browne pointing out, while adding that the Building and Loan Association has a further role to play by creating a community to encourage students’ full potential.

“When an investment is made, persons look forward to returns. Building and Loan is looking forward to returns.

“Simple maths- if I give your $20 right now and you just go and buy unhealthy snacks, that’s a bad investment because that means you’re definitely going to perhaps spend more than $20 at the dentist, or you may just pave your path to some non-communicable disease like diabetes which will mean you will spend much more than $20 on healthcare…” Dr. Browne pointed out.

She said students should understand the value of the bursary or scholarship and as a result, the money should be spent on ensuring that the returns are good.

“Use it to get your text books early, read them, get ahead, use it to buy your stationery materials, use it to help with getting your uniform in order so when you show up, you show up sharp and your friends know that you are serious about success,” Dr. Browne advised.

She added also, that a good investment is a shared investment, and at times students may encounter other students who do not have as much, and students who have more.

“Try your best to practise sharing resources. Don’t become selfish or caught up with the narrative ‘I got the scholarship for me and if you worked hard you would have gotten a scholarship too’.

“I’m not saying to give away your resources with those who may need a helping hand, but share. Why? Because we all have different needs and talents. For example, another student may be better in Maths or another subject than you are and they may not be able to lend a pencil like you, but they surely can help you understand a topic that may be proving difficult,” she explained.

The scholarship event also heard a motivational address from Dr. Kenneth Onu; one of the directors on the SVBL board, Maferne Mayers-Oliver; and President of the SVBL board, Gary Matthias.