Sandals Grande St. Lucia Spa and Beach Resort was the venue for a one-day workshop on child abuse sponsored by UNICEF. The workshop which was organised by the Division of Human Services brought together, teachers, principals, district education officers and counselors to chart a way forward to bring and end to child abuse.
PRESS RELEASE - EC Global Insurance has collaborated with the National Community Foundation (NCF) to stage the Annual Schools Chess Tournament.
Other contributing partners included the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia, Peace Corp volunteers, teachers and students of the respective schools.
The Chess in Schools Programme is intended to develop students’ critical thinking and reasoning skills to enable them to improve their academic performance. The winners of previous tournaments have gone on to excel in their respective educational pursuits.
EC Global has pledged its continued commitment to this initiative which continues to bear much fruit and provide our youth with an opportunity to develop their intellect capacity and prepare for the challenges of higher education and leadership roles at the community and national level.
Agency and Operations Manager at EC Global, Anne Marie Herman, stated: “For us at EC Global, the Schools Chess Tournament represents a sound investment in the development of our young people. The positive impact of chess on academic performance and the holistic development of our students are well documented, and as such, we are committed to the future growth of this programme.”
Executive Director of the NCF, Madonna Monrose, thanked EC Global for the ongoing support of the Chess Tournament.
She said: “We have been one of the main agencies developing chess in the schools, and in addition we have also noted much progress with the introduction of chess through the community groups. Chess is a tool for social and behavioural change. It equips you with the skills to think rationally before you act – sound lessons for us as a people to learn.”
This year’s tournament was staged at the Castries Town Hall on July 3, 2014. At the end of the day-long tournament the winners were as follows:
In the Advanced Category: 1st Place – Dion Recaii of St. Mary’s College; 2nd Place – Omar Combie of Leon Hess Comprehensive and 3rd Place – Azemyah Celestin of Castries Comprehensive.
In the Beginner Category: 1st Place – Dillan James of Laborie Boys Primary; 2nd Place – Sarah Fletcher of Ave Maria Girls Primary and 3rd Place Winner – Jaden Darcheville of Laborie Boys Primary School.
Fifteen schools participated in this year’s tournament.
General Manager Mark Hawken screening a hopeful candidate.
PRESS RELEASE - Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa continues its focus and support for the educational sector through the implementation of its first ever hotel-initiated Annual Job Fair and Internship Programme.
Although the hotel has had a history of facilitating interns from educational institutions in the south, this is the first time that the hotel is undertaking such a programme based on its own motivation.
The programme was launched on Monday, June 23 with the successful staging of a one-day job fair targeting secondary and tertiary school-leavers in the south of the island.
Over 50 young persons participated in this initial exercise which involved a process of interviewing and screening. The hotel as of Monday of this week began the second phase of this programme when it absorbed a total of 27 young persons who will form part of a four-week internship programme from July 7 to August 2.
A candidate and senior staff member during the interview process.
This initiative, which is intended to be an annual undertaking, is geared towards facilitating these young persons through exposure (as potential employees) to the job-seeking experience as well as hands-on work experience within the hospitality sector. The management of Coconut Bay is of the view that through exposure to internationally-accredited competencies and expertise, young persons will be better able to make a determination about possible careers within the industry.
During the four-week period, interns will be attached to the restaurant, housekeeping, front desk/guest services and kitchen departments, among others. Their four-week stint will also see them being exposed to training lectures on various topics such as: guest expectations, product knowledge, stress management, professional standards/business etiquette, etc.
The Annual Job Fair and Internship Programme is part of an ongoing effort by Coconut Bay to cultivate a cadre of young persons who have benefited from entry-level training.
Management envisages that through investment in such training and exposure these young school-leavers will begin to examine their options to actively pursue career paths in the hospitality industry.
Participants in the four-week internship stint at Coconut Bay will receive a lump-sum stipend for the period of engagement. They will also benefit from daily meals and would be handed certificates at a graduation ceremony to be held soon after conclusion of the internship exercise.
Participants at job fair completing paper work.
NRDF Chairman Trevor Lamontagne
PRESS RELEASE - The National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF) conducted its second Annual Graduation Ceremony for the Australian Institute of Business’s two-year BBA and 12-month MBA while-you-work programmes on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Bougainvillea Conference Room, Bay Gardens Hotel.
Eleven of 15 graduands received their awards in an intimate ceremony witnessed by friends and family and even some proud employers, who were present in support of their staff.
The theme of this year’s graduation was “Take Us Somewhere: A Call to Impact”. The overall ethos of this year’s event was that of each one making their contribution count in these difficult economic times, and the responsibility of those thus trained.
The keynote address was delivered by local business leader, Jacqueline Emmanuel-Flood, director of Saint Lucia’s Trade Export Promotion Agency and the Office of Private Sector Relations.
Flood’s speech was refreshingly daring as it was inspiring, as she urged the graduands to be “M.A.D. about Making A Difference” with their qualifications – the kind of “mad” that in our colloquial parlance referred to one who was admirably bold, daring, creative and passionate about “making a difference”.
Speaking at the ceremony, she said: “I am making a direct and personal appeal to you the graduands to apply your business administration expertise to positively influence and impact your fields, your sectors, your communities, your country and your world. Be ‘M.A.D’. Make A Difference.”
Trevor Lamontagne, NRDF chairman, said of the NRDF: “This little giant will not rest. We are committed to delivering a high standard of education as we continue to improve on our offer.”
He encouraged the class of 2014 to motivate others to avail themselves of the opportunities offered at the NRDF.
Professor Rod Oxenberry, chairman of the Academic Board of the Australian Institute of Business, was in Saint Lucia to pass on the congratulations of the Australian Institute of Business.
“The realities of our world and time present big challenges to new graduates,” said Oxenberry, “and because you are new graduates, the expectation is high that you will not only be a success in your businesses but you will bring something new to solve all these problems.”
He encouraged them that though they would not realistically be able to solve all the world’s problems, yet they should still take it on as a challenge. He further implored them to “value, share and use their success”, and to be able to say in 20 years’ time that their graduation day was just the start of their journey towards using their qualifications to make a difference.
Minister for Education, Human Resource Development and Labour, Dr. Robert Lewis, conveyed to the NRDF the gratitude of the government and people of Saint Lucia “for providing such opportunities for development and enhancement of the nation’s human resource” and applauded the NRDF-AIB collaboration in that regard.
The MBA Valedictorian 2014 was Charmaine Anthony who testified: “We have walked out in many ways better than we entered. Our resilience, our time-management skills, our strategic thinking mode and enhanced competencies can all be attributed to the pressures of AIB over the course of this programme… We could boast of having gained considerable knowledge directly transferable in our personal and professional spheres.”
She added: “Furthermore, this programme has allowed us to foster and develop remarkable friendships, strategic networks and alliances from which we have already begun to draw.”
Linking their journey to that of soldiers going into battle, and the monthly exams as days of reckoning, she said: “Notwithstanding its challenges… our AIB journey has been exceptionally rewarding. It has brought us a few notches closer towards self actualisation. Our journey was a capacity building one … one which breeds hope. Hope for our futures and that of our nation, our region and beyond. The breadth and depth of knowledge which we have garnered over the duration of this programme are immensely invaluable.”
NRDF/AIB honour their Graduates for academic year 2014:
Sheron Baptiste (BBA)
Ayisha Walcott-Auguste (MBA)
Selena Charles (MBA)
Pamela Cadet-Deterville (MBA)
Nigel Edwin (MBA)
Joan Phillip-Emmanuel (MBA)
Petal Jhardat-John (MBA)
Sarah Serieux-Lesmond (MBA)
Kendra Noel (MBA)
Daisy St Rose (MBA)
Fedra Faucher (MBA – Finance)
Alison Leonce (MBA – Finance)
Jenny Alcide (MBA – HRM)
Charmaine Anthony (MBA – HRM) – AIB MBA Valedictorian 2014
Leatha Albertha St Catherine (MBA – HRM)
NRDF is encouraging enrolment for the September 2014 intake. Applications are now open.
Managing Director Trevor Louisy (left) presenting a token to Gaius Hendrickson St Marie.
PRESS RELEASE - Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) Managing Director Trevor Louisy has congratulated Gaius Hendrickson St Marie on being chosen as the LUCELEC scholar for this year’s Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE).
The 16-year-old is currently in Barbados attending the intensive four-week enrichment residential summer programme for Caribbean high-school students. SPISE is an initiative of the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) whose mission is to help harness science and technology for the diversification of the economies of the region.
St Marie is one of 21 students participating in the month-long programme which gathers the best young scientific minds from across the region.
The LUCELEC managing director met with St. Marie shortly before his departure to present him with a token in recognition of the company’s sponsorship of his attendance at the programme and to wish him well.
This is the second time LUCELEC – a longstanding sponsor of the National Science and Technology Fair – is sponsoring the participation of Saint Lucian students in the prestigious programme.
Ravindra Mangar and Kesan Samuel were the previous recipients of the LUCELEC scholarship to SPISE, a programme that includes university-level courses in calculus, physics, biochemistry and entrepreneurship.
St Marie graduated from the Saint Mary’s College this year. He currently has four CSEC distinctions in mathematics, English language and English literature which he wrote in Form 4 and Spanish which he wrote in Form 3. He is currently awaiting results on the 17 other subjects he wrote this year.
In addition to his academic pursuits, the young scholar is a volleyball player whose ambition is to be an aerospace engineer or economist.
The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) and the Ministry of Social Transformation commenced it annual Youth Summer Art Platform programme today, July 23 at the National Cultural Centre.
Director of Training, Promotion and Development of CDF, Celeste Burton, said this year the foundation is giving its participants the added opportunity to develop their talent and skills.
Burton explained that the CDF, through this initiative, is ensuring that its participants value and understand their culture. She told participants at the opening, “it is our duty to educate you about your country, so that you could explore it using your talents and skills”.
She said the programme will also be used as a platform for recruiting persons for play, productions, drama and art, as well as having persons engaged in a number of other fun activities. This year’s summer programmes aims to cover a wide array of activities such as: dance and theatre art, creative writing, art, craft, photography, film and drumming.
Facilitators and volunteers for the programme include popular names in art, film, dance and creative writing, such as: June Fredericks, Nickita Clarke, Danielle Dubois, Christelle Lee, Gary Butte, Cuthbert Popo and Colin Weekes, among others.
The summer programme which is dubbed “Youth Artiste, Our Thing” is designated for children primarily between the ages of 8-17 and will run for three weeks from July 23 to August 15, in three communities: Castries, Anse La Raye and Desruisseaux.
LIME Scholarship recipient Magan Dorleon (centre) with her father Norman, flanked by Danette Lambert and Adeline Jean.
PRESS RELEASE - Magan Dorleon is the latest proud recipient of a LIME scholarship for the 2014-15 school year.
Magan who previously attended Camille Henry Memorial attained a score of 93.67% in this year’s Common Entrance Examination. Her outstanding performance earned her a place at St Joseph’s Convent. The scholarship will cover the cost of school supplies, including textbooks and uniforms.
Magan is the daughter of Norman Dorleon of Carrier Services. She joins scores of proud LIME scholarship recipients who have received financial support for their education from Saint Lucia and the Caribbean’s leading telecommunications provider over the years. Magan was thrilled to receive the award from LIME.
“I worked very hard to do well at Common Entrance,” she said. “It’s great that LIME has been able to reward me for my hard work and I intend to keep working hard to show that I deserve this scholarship. Thanks, LIME!”
Magan’s dad, Norman also expressed his gratitude for the assistance LIME is providing to his daughter. “On behalf of my family I would like to thank LIME for the scholarship. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders knowing Megan is getting this sort of assistance to continue her education. Now we can cope better with other pressing issues in these challenging economic times,” said Norman.
Every year LIME awards scholarships to children of its staff members who perform outstandingly at the Common Entrance Examinations. Since 1995, over 75 children of LIME staff members have benefited from the LIME Scholarship Award Programme. Some 17 students at secondary and tertiary level are presently on LIME scholarships.
LIME Human Resource Partner, Danette Lambert, said: “We are proud to help students like Magan realize their dreams. This kind of encouragement goes beyond monetary value. It shows LIME is a company that believes in the success of Saint Lucia’s youth. We believe we owe it to the children to use our resources to help guide them along a positive path that will help them develop their maximum potential.”
Parents of students who sat the 2014 Common Entrance examinations and have been assigned to a secondary school can now apply for government bursaries to attend secondary school, according to the Ministry of Education.
Applications will be accepted up until July 28, 2014.
Parents are guardians who wish to apply have been asked to report to the district education officers where their primary schools are located in order to obtain and complete application forms.
The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Labour’s $500 bursary application process is deemed essential as it provides the ministry with vital information to facilitate the payment process.
When parents report to fill out forms they are asked to present their child’s Common Entrance result slip and a valid identification card.
Meanwhile, applications are also open for government bursaries for students wishing to pursue studies at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College for the upcoming academic year.
These are only available for students who are 18 years and under, according to the Ministry of Education.
To qualify, applicants should have already been accepted into the St. Arthur Lewis Community College, be St. Lucian citizens and of low income households.
Parents should collect the forms at the Francis Compton Building at the Waterfront, Castries.
Completed forms must be submitted before July 31. When submitting these documents, parents or guardians should be accompanied by the student who wishes to be granted the bursary.
Apart from the bursary application form, parents are also required to fill out a financial need assessment form and statement of need form. A copy of the student’s birth certificate and certified copies of transcript if applicable, are also needed.
More information can be obtained by calling 468-5229.
Digicel’s Country Manager Holly McNamara presnting laptop to one of the students with Digicel musical endorsee Ricky T.
PRESS RELEASE - Telecommunications provider Digicel is giving back to the youth of St Lucia who performed exceptionally well at the just concluded Common Entrance Examinations.
A total of 6 students from primary schools around the island received a brand new Dell laptop as reward for their hard work and extraordinary performance at the examiniation.
Youth development through education is a key responsibility for any corporate citizen- a responsibility that Digicel takes very seriously; as the company recognizes that youth development is synonymous with Nation building. and in a tangible demonstration of this support, Digicel gave a few of the nation’s brightest young minds who topped their respective schools, a token of appreciation for the academic excellence that will continue along the trajectory of excellence at the next level. State-of-the-art Dell laptops were given to the students as today’s academic curriculum is heavily dependent on information and technology- so these laptops will benefit the students both in and out of the classroom.
In addition the laptops, Digicel recognizes that these are very challenging economic times and so will give the students a $1000 dollar bursary to help defray the cost of school supplies ahead of the new school year.
Among the extraordinary students who received computers were Herbie Auguste of Gordon &Walcott Memorial Methadist, Nyree Flavius of the Marchand Combined, Janaki Emmanuel of the Pierrot Combined School, Starr Greenage of the Dugard Combined school, Je-Quarn George of the Derniere Riviere Combined school and Jamal Julez of the Odsan Combined school.
At the presentation ceremony on Thursday July 17th, 2014, the students got a treat as Digicel endorsed musical Ambassador Ricky T officially handed over the laptops to each child. Digicel’s Marketing Executive Sergin John-Baptiste noted “Digicel is elated to be associated with these top Common Entrance achievers, who through their exemplary discipline, studiousness and hard work have distinguished themselves and the primary institutions they attended. According to her, “the highly commendable achievements of these students, who come from primary schools across the length and breadth of St. Lucia, have not only won them the praise and admiration of their peers, but also their teachers and parents.”
Digicel proudly congratulates these and all the other successful students’ who sat the 2014 Common Entrance examinations as they now get set to pursue their secondary school education.
The Sandals Foundation yesterday presented 17 students with scholarships, each totaling US$400, through the Sandals “Care for kids” Scholarship programme.
Public Relations Officer of Sandals Resorts International, Rhonda Giraudy, said that the grant is for the purchasing of books, uniforms, facility fees and what else is needed during that school year.
Giraudy explained that the scholarship is granted to students based on recommendations from the schools.
“It is a five-year programme for the entire secondary school. But if students perform well and would like to continue onto community college we would also look in to funding the additional two year,” she added.
General Manager of Sandals Halcyon, Lennox Dupal, said in his remarks that Sandals is happy to provide scholarships to children in efforts of keeping them in school.
“In this economic times where money is hard to come by, I think I urge everyone of you to understand the value of what we are doing and make sure you put your best foot forward” Dupal advised.
Dominic Fedee, regional public relations officer of the Sandals Foundation, told the gathering that the foundation has been built on the importance of education and is a mere representation of Sandals commitment to embracing other stakeholders like the community, whether through education, sport or contributing to health care.
Minister of Education Robert Lewis lauded the initiative, stating that Sandals has been providing funding to students for quite a number of years.
“The Sandal Foundation is making resources available to you to further your education”.
He urged the awardees to continue to do well and use the opportunity to excel and to serve their country.
The education minister told representatives of Sandals that “anybody who thinks about developing that human resource, you are thinking about the sustainability of life, because in these small island, the biggest resource that we have is our people”.
He thanked Sandals for all the work they are doing here in St Lucia.
Beneficiaries of this year’s scholarship programme includes: Katelyn Isidore, Ange Fontenelle, Shekeena Dantzie, Phillipa James, Daralee Fontanelle, Ashley Phillips, Phoebe Hippolyte and Liam John, among others.
The Sandals Foundation- the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International – has been providing scholarships under the “Care for Kids” programme to high school student in St. Lucia since 2009.
Registrar of Examinations Carmelita Matthew has admitted to an error made with the result of a student, who recently sat the Common Entrance Examination.
Matthew’s comments come on the heels of recent talks regarding a blog post made by local journalist Jason Sifflet’s, who brought the issue to the public’s attention.
The registrar for examinations who appeared on Radio St Lucia 90 Minutes (RSL) today said that following a review of the results for Lovell Motley, a student of the Monchy Combined School, her overall score moved from 87 to 96 per cent.
This now puts the student in the tenth position on the national list of high achievers. According to Matthew, the new result has been handed to the parents of Motley.
The error she said would not affect Motley’s placement, as she has already been assigned the St Joseph’s Convent.
Meanwhile, Matthew said based on the transparent system by which results can be accessed by parents and guardians, and teachers, this allowed Motley’s results to be corrected.
According to reports, the parents requested a review of their child’s Common Entrance result, as they were not sure it was accurate, given the students outstanding performance throughout her primary school years.
PRESS RELEASE - Twenty-five (25) hotel workers employed with Royal by Rex Resorts, Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa, St. James’s Club Morgan Bay, Anse Chastanet Hotel, Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort, Coconut Bay Hotel and Ti Kaye Resort will each receive a five hundred dollar (($500.00) bursary from the National Workers Union (NWU) for their children.
The amount will be handed to staff of the named hotels, who are members of the union, with children entering secondary school for the first time in September 2014. This contribution will be paid out from the NWU’s Education Fund to which hotel workers have made a significant contribution.
The NWU is of the firm opinion that, given the current economic situation with which workers have to grapple, and the fact that the union now has to struggle much harder to maintain fringe benefits in existing industrial agreements, the organization must begin to think out of the box and create new avenues to assist its membership.
Zane ‘Tibar’ Phillips and Laurie Phillips (face covered) appearing in court recently for a homicide.
A word of caution has been extended to gang members and youth in general in light of the recent spike in criminal gang activity on the island.
President of the National Youth Council (NYC) of Saint Lucia Timothy Ferdinand in an interview with Saint Lucia News Online (SNO) advised the youth to simply think before they act.
“We want to encourage young persons to be more careful in how they respond to their personal situations, whether at home, at school or at work. Just be more careful and think before acting. Think of all the options before acting,” he told SNO.
Ferdinand believes that the country is at a place where crime needs to be tackled from its source.
Unemployment and a lack of conflict resolution skills among young people are two of these sources, he opined.
He noted however, that shortcomings in the island’s justice system are also making matters worse.
Ferdinand wants there to be a quicker response time between the detection of crime and the actual solving and or prosecution of crimes.
He believes that the current backlog of cases which exists in the court system pose a disadvantage to those awaiting justice – both for those who remain on remand for long periods of time awaiting trial and for the victims of crime and their families.
“An absence of an effective justice system is at the core of what we are experiencing right now and also the fact that we are reacting to the environment that we are living right now…” he said.
He said that the NYC is in support of calls for another resident judge and that the NYC will rally for any actions or initiatives that will reduce the time frame in which justice is carried out in the country.
“We support the move for resourcing in the courts to ensure that they have what they need to function. We know it’s expensive. The expense is a deterrent at this time however it is an investment in the peace and security of the citizens. If you have a peaceful society and persons have confident in the justice system then persons will react in the right manner towards conflict. When you have persons who don’t have confident in the courts and in the police then they would resort to their own actions,” he said.
PRESS RELEASE - UWI-ROYTEC, a division of the University of West Indies, St. Augustine campus is coming to Vieux-Fort, St. Lucia.
Come September, St. Lucians and the people of the neighboring islands will be able to pursue their tertiary education here in Vieux-Fort, St. Lucia. People of St. Lucia will be able to attain UWI-ROYTEC degrees without having to leave the island.
Many new programmes which will be jointly offered by the International American University (IAU), and the University of the West Indies ROYTEC, at International American University Campus, located in Vieux-Fort.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by these two institutions will facilitate the development and delivery these programmes. The MOU was signed at the campus of the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine) on July 15, 2014. It was signed in the presence of officials of the three institutions who lauded the initiative.
The programs, which will be offered, are in: Information Systems Management, Pharmacy, Nursing, Education, Hospitality Management, and Healthcare. Other certificate programs like Pharmacy Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomy, and Hospitality will also be offered as part of this MOU. A premed program leading to a B.Sc. degree in Health care management, designed for high school graduates, guarantees admission to the four-year MD program offered by IAU College of Medicine.
ROYTEC is a private tertiary-level institution offering undergraduate degree programmes in business and teacher education; associate degree programmes in business and information technology; and professional diplomas and certificates in financial planning and business related specializations.
When ROYTEC was founded in 1987 by the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (now known as RBC RBTT Bank Trinidad Limited), the institution’s primary purpose was the preparation of graduates to meet the human resource requirements of the banking and financial services sectors.
In 2006, as part of the reorganization of the internal structure of RBTT Bank Limited, the external operations of ROYTEC was transferred to UWI, St. Augustine and the institution’s name was changed to the UWI School of Business and Applied Studies Limited (trading as ROYTEC). This relationship between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and ROYTEC is a synergistic one in which the strengths of UWI serve to benefit the academic operations of ROYTEC and strengthen its leadership position in key fields where UWI has distinctive competencies. Over the past eight (8) years, this name change has also reflected the changing nature of ROYTEC, as evidenced by increased enrollment, admissions, quality standards, and graduation rates.
Commenting on this new development, the Public Relations Officer of IAUCOM, Sibi Gopakrishnan described the move as a giant step in the right direction, adding that it will open other avenues for the school to explore joint ventures with other recognized learning institutions in the region. He also added that IAU is helping change Vieux-Fort into a University Town”.
The International American University College of Medicine, which was established here in 2003 offers a curriculum in medical education based on the U.S model and is delivered by a team of expert faculty. Its program is designed to produce physicians who qualify for licensure in St. Lucia as well as the USA and Canada, among other countries.
Some of the scholarship recipients during a musical performance.
PRESS RELEASE - The Sandals Foundation Care for Kids Scholarship program has been further extended for 25 Secondary School students this year.
The move comes in keeping with the Foundation’s continued commitment to helping children in the Caribbean reach their fullest potential through education.
At a ceremony on Friday at Sandals Halcyon marking the annual extension of the educational aid, Regional Director for Sandals Resorts International – Eastern Caribbean Mr. Andre Dhanpaul encouraged the youth to take advantage of their good fortune and focus extensively on their studies.
‘In the words of the late Sir Arthur Lewis, ‘The cure for poverty is not money, but education.’ That is what we, as part of Sandals and the Sandals Foundation believe,’” Dhanpaul said.
The support of education and educational programs is a key pillar in the structure of the Sandals Foundation which has for years provided scholarships and other educational support for children across Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean.
The “Care For Kids” umbrella has facilitated several of these initiatives.
Those students who receive funding throughout their five year tenor at Secondary School are also taught that recreation and sports form a key part of their development. And it is in that light that they were treated to an afternoon of zip lining through the Dennery Rain Forest.
Saint Lucia’s Minister of Education Human Resource Development & Labour, Hon. Dr. Robert Lewis, commended the Foundation’s continued educational support for young people in the island.
“I want to commend Sandals and the Sandals Foundation for their efforts. They have managed to remain constant these past few years,” the Minister said.
Scholarship Recipient, Sanishar Auguste also expressed gratitude on behalf of herself and her counterparts towards the Sandals Foundation.
“Your efforts are greatly appreciated and your contribution will go a long way in ensuring that we go into the new school year smoothly. We will carry on persevering through our studies and do our best to reap the best possible rewards,” Auguste said.
The Sandals Foundation has executed and continues to manage numerous thriving philanthropic projects not only in St. Lucia but throughout the wider Eastern Caribbean, including Antigua, Grenada and Barbados.
Kayron Paul of the Bars Department Receiving Scholarship Cheque from Ed Evans, Chairman of the Sports & Social Club.
PRESS RELEASE - Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa today issued bursary cheques to three staff members to assist in covering the education cost of their children who will be entering Secondary School in September of this year.
The disbursement is part of an inaugural annual Common Entrance Scholarship Program spearheaded by the hotel’s Sports and Social Committee.
This year’s beneficiaries are drawn from the Bars, Stewarding and Restaurant Departments.
Gilroy Richard of the Stewarding Department Receiving Scholarship Cheque during Ceremony.
Two of the scholarship awards were granted on the basis of the highest grades among children of staff members, while the third was determined based on need.
In the case of the highest grades, these were recorded as: 92.67 and 91 percent respectively.
The scholarship recipients will be attending the Choiseul Secondary School, Clendon Mason Secondary and St Joseph Convent.
The Common Entrance Scholarship Program is part the hotel’s continuing effort to nurture and facilitate staff as they strive for economic, social and personal development.
Hotel Manager, Mark Hawken in commenting on the scholarship award stated: “At Coconut Bay we are always interested in the welfare of our staff”. “Their ability to excel and succeed can only bring about stability which is to our mutual benefit”. We extend best wishes to the recipients of this first Common Entrance Scholarship Award in their educational pursuits”.
Business Development Manager Priscilla Charles speaks to netballers about financial fitness.
PRESS RELEASE - First Citizens Investment Services continues its drive to promote and improve financial literary in Saint Lucia, not just with the company’s own annual seminars, but by also providing support to partner agencies such as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
This year First Citizens collaborated with the ECCB for two immensely beneficial initiatives that focused on providing financial education to a cross section of persons.
The first drive was the technical assistance First Citizens Investment Services provided to the recently held ten-week Savings and Investments Course facilitated by the ECCB in Saint Lucia. The course was first developed in 2002 as part of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union’s ongoing financial literacy programme and hundreds of participants have since received valuable insights on developing basic budgeting techniques, improving management skills and learned the basics of investing from practitioners in the field of finance and savings.
This year’s course was held from May 20th to August 5th and First Citizens assisted by providing tutors for several topics including: “Personal Financial Planning, Factors Affecting Your Financial Decisions, Types of Investment Instrument, How to Protect Yourself From Financial Risk, Understanding Financial Markets, How Securities are Bought & Sold on the ECSE, Factors The Affect The Price of Your Investments, Developing & Managing Your Investment Portfolio”.
First Citizens Business Development Manager Priscilla Charles, who was also one of the tutors during the course, explained that teaming up with ECCB for this informative initiative was an easy decision.
“Improving financial literacy has always been part of our mandate and we understand the far reaching effects of educating even one person, who will in turn share that financial knowledge with their communities, co-workers, family and others they come into contact with,” Ms. Charles explained.
First Citizens’ Denise Lewis tackles financial issues at ECCB Savings and Investment Course.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Resident Representative, Gregor Franklyn, commended First Citizens Investment Services for the support calling it “timely and invaluable”.
“The participants were very excited to attend the sessions and the passion and knowledge exhibited by the staff of First Citizens has resulted in our next cohort being oversubscribed,” said Franklyn. “Additionally the level of professionalism displayed has manifested itself in the excellent reviews obtained by the facilitators after each session.”
Following the ten-week program students received a certificate and graduates become part of an alumni family that ensures that they continue to develop their financial expertise and knowledge.
First Citizens was also pleased to provide a facilitator for a developmental session with the netballers of the recently held ECCB/OECS Under 23 Netball Tournament. The session which attracted over 100 women was conducted at the Pastoral Centre in Marisule on June 28 and provided netballers with practical financial advice.
Speaking about this session, Franklyn offered thanks to First Citizens for “their unwavering support towards public education and community outreach programmes as we continue to educate the public on economic and financial matters”.
First Citizens is also expected to collaborate with the ECCB again for Financial Information Month officially marked in October and is currently preparing for a Men and Investing Seminar to be held in November.
PRESS RELEASE – A dozen Caribbean nationals have been awarded scholarships and grants to the tune of US$45,000 to pursue studies in hospitality, tourism and language training.
Over eighty applications were received by the CTO Foundation, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s scholarship programme, and following a thorough analysis of the applications, six scholarships and six grants were awarded.
“All of these individuals who demonstrated high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside of the classroom,” said Jacqueline Johnson, chairman of the board of directors of the CTO Foundation.
“We would have loved to offer even more scholarships this year but the number we give is limited by the level of funding that we receive,” she added. “I wish to appeal to everyone in the Caribbean and those doing business in the Caribbean to contribute whatever little that they can to this very worthy cause.”
This year, scholarships were awarded to applicants from Barbados, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Nationals of Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica and St. Maarten were awarded grants
The scholarship winners are as follows:
Rhodni Skelton, BVI, MSc. Tourism with Project Management, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Lorine Bozin, Martinique, MSc. Management “Grand Ecole Program”, Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM)
Shona Quammie, St. Vincent & the Grenadines , Global MBA- International Business, Hospitality, Sports & Leisure Management, London School of Business & Finance (Online)
Dave Headley, St. Lucia, MSc. Tourism Management (Online), Colorado State University
Nikisha Rabess, Dominica, MSc. Tourism Marketing, University of Surrey
Keisha Springer, Barbados, MSc. Tourism & Events Management, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Study grant were awarded to the following:
Saskia Looser, St. Maarten, BA Hospitality Management with Language (French), Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, UK
Reneé Chambers, Jamaica, BSc. Tourism Management, The University of the West Indies- CHTM
Iman Derrick, Barbados, Travel- Tourism & Hospitality Management, Johnson and Wales North Miami University
David Thornhill, Dominica, BA International Hospitality & Tourism Management, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
Nadine Valentine, Jamaica, MSc. Tourism Hospitality Management, Mona School of Business & Management
Keishanna Brancroft, Barbados, BSc. Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Since 1998, the CTO Foundation has provided over 200 scholarships and grants totaling nearly US $1 million. Major Foundation contributors include American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, the CTO chapters and allied members worldwide.
The CTO Foundation, set up in 1997, is registered in New York State as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.
Its main aim is to provide scholarships and study grants to students and industry personnel who are Caribbean nationals, from CTO-member countries, who wish to pursue studies in the areas of tourism/hospitality and language training. CTO Foundation sponsors include American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, Universal Media, the CTO chapters worldwide and numerous CTO allied members.
Prime Minister’s Lecture 2014
PRESS RELEASE - The Saint Lucian Students’ Association at Cave Hill is a welfare organisation which operates under the umbrella of The Guild of Students at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.
Its mandate is primarily to promote the educational, social and cultural development of its’ members. Throughout each academic year LUSAC hosts a number of activities which include The Independence Flag Raising Ceremony, Independence Lecture and Jounen Kweyol Celebrations. By hosting these activities to commemorate important Saint Lucian historical and cultural events, LUSAC enables its members to maintain a sense of St. Lucian pride while residing abroad.
2014-2015 executive
Giving regard to the economic challenges which university students are currently faced with, LUSAC offers financial assistance where possible to the members of the Association. During the summer vacation the members and executive of LUSAC engage in fundraising activities.
To date, LUSAC has held two fundraising cake sales in the north and south of the island, on June 28th and July 26th 2014, respectively. Moreover, LUSAC’s fundraising initiatives for this summer include an upcoming event which will be held at the Impulse Night Club on 16th August 2014. LUSAC also assists its’ members by offering a book rental programme whereby members can gain access to essential books at a reduced cost.
LUSAC seeks to foster unity amongst its members while encouraging them to embrace integration. During the 2013/2014 academic year, LUSAC hosted its’ Bi-annual Prayer Before Exams, where approximately 135 students from eleven Caribbean islands were in attendance. Another social activity which recently began is the LUSAC Bouyon Lime, where students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities sample local cuisine and enjoy Lucian company.
Individuals wishing to contact LUSAC may do so via email at uwi.lusac@gmail.com.
2013 Visionary, Ravindra Mangar represented St. Lucia during the inaugural Challenge.
PRESS RELEASE - The search is on for young visionaries who can help build a brighter future by showcasing ideas which can help their communities.
The call for innovative thinking from the region’s young minds follows the recent launch of the 2014 Sagicor Visionaries Challenge in countries including Barbados, St. Lucia, Antiqua, Dominica and Belize.
Sagicor is encouraging teachers and students from secondary schools in these countries to enter the Challenge and become part of the search for innovative, sustainable solutions for everyday problems facing regional communities.
Tracey Knight-Lloyd, Assistant Vice-President Marketing, Sagicor Life Inc, said the Challenge was an opportunity for young people to bring their innovative thoughts and vision into reality.
“If you’ve got a vision or an idea about how to improve something in your community, and you want to make a positive contribution, then the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge is the vehicle for you,” Knight-Lloyd said.
The Sagicor executive said any student could be a visionary, and encouraged young people with ideas to believe in themselves. She also noted they should not be intimidated by the scope of the competition, which in its second year, will also be receiving entries from high school students in Hillsborough County, Tampa, Florida.
“The process for entry is not a difficult one and we are encouraging students to come forward, and not to limit themselves by thinking that their ideas may be too simple or small for consideration. Often the best ideas are the simplest and can be developed into the most effective solutions.”
Students interested in entering the 2014 Sagicor Visionaries Challenge can visit the Facebook page at www.sagicor.com/SagicorVisionaries for further details and instructions, and are encouraged to speak with their teachers for assistance in signing either as an individual or group entry.
The Sagicor Visionaries Challenge was conceptualised by Sagicor and the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), in partnership with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and aims to promote the use of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to develop effective, innovative and sustainable solutions to problems.
This year winners will once again have the opportunity to take an all-expenses paid trip to Florida where they will tour related institutions and experience S.T.E.M. in action.
The group of 2013 Visionaries and their teachers during the tour of the NASA facility that was part of their prize trip to Tampa Florida.
