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CHARLESTOWN, St. Kitts and Nevis (15 August 2016): Dozens of prospective students in Nevis will be approaching university, feeling more informed, confident and ready after attending the ‘Get Set and Ready for University Seminar’, organized by the St. Kitts-Nevis Chevening Alumni Group this past Saturday (13 August 2016), at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall in Charlestown.

The three-hour seminar, focused on a range of topics designed to prepare prospective students for the challenges and benefits of tertiary education. Chevening Scholars shared their experiences on researching for the ideal university, finding the right degree programme, transitioning to university life, and making the most of the experience. Special attention was also given to sourcing funds for university, with two featured presentations on securing scholarships and applying for loans. A guest presentation by Ms. Hazeldine Lewis of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis provided an overview of the loan packages offered by the bank.

The event, just in its second year, attracted almost 50 individuals, ranging from Sixth Form students interested in a tertiary level education, to adult graduates looking to pursue further studies. Each presentation was followed by engaging Question & Answer sessions, where attendees could gain more information on their personal circumstances, share their experiences and clarify points in the presentation.

A recent Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College graduate, Mr. Steadroy Pemberton Jr., summed up the seminar as an informative learning experience. “I have learned a lot; I have gained a lot of information about going off to university… It feels like I have already gone to university, got my degree, and now I’m back here. This is how they actually explain and go into detail about the things that we need to do, how we need to do it, when we need to it, and where we need to do it.”

For Krystan Springette who has been contemplating going to university, the seminar relieved her of some of her anxiety. “I have plans to attend college in the next year, and this, of course, shakes some of the nerves that I had, and provided me with some of the information that I needed to go forth with my application, seeking scholarships… I can say that I have left this seminar feeling much more confident about applying!”

Leader of the SKN Chevening Group, Ms. Sonia Boddie, was very pleased with the turn-out and the excitement with which the attendees received the information. She remarked, “Similar to 2015, again I am extremely happy with the attendance and the keen interest demonstrated by attendees, through their very interactive engagements with the facilitators. Our group is passionate about the educational advancement of our people in the Federation, and we are delighted to offer these empowerment sessions, as a means of giving back to our country. We are already gearing up for this coming Saturday’s session in St. Kitts, and we look forward to seeing as many persons as possible.” She further noted, “I also wish to publicly thank the British High Commission in Barbados and by extension the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for providing our group with a grant, to cover the cost of hosting these very vital seminars.”

The second instalment of the ‘Get Set and Ready  for University’ seminar is scheduled for  Saturday 20 August 2016, from 9.30 am 12.30 am, at the NEMA Conference room, Lime Kiln, Basseterre. All interested persons are asked to register their interest, by emailing Ms. Sonia Boddie at rositaboddie@hotmail.com. Additionally, the SKN Chevening Alumni Group wishes to advise that nationals can apply now until November 8 for the 2017 Chevening Scholarship at http://www.chevening.org/apply  and can contact Ms. Sonia Boddie should they require assistance.