NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (July 22, 2019) — Two more youths on Nevis will have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education thanks to a long-standing partnership between the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) and the Medical University of the Americas (MUA).

During an announcement ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health on July 17, 2019, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room in Charlestown, Ms. Dericia Bryant and Mr. Ryani Ferguson were named as the two successful students who were selected by the MUA/NIA Scholarship Committee to pursue studies in priority areas of the NIA.

In response to the announcement, Ms. Bryant noted what the scholarship to pursue her studies overseas means to her.

“I am honoured to be one of the recipients of the MUA/NIA scholarship for 2019. Receiving this scholarship would help me to attend Midwestern State University in Texas, also known as MSU, to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in the field of Special Education. In pursuit of my goals, I would ensure to represent my country in a respectable manner and ensure to uphold my requirements for this scholarship.

“I feel that Special education is a field that not too many persons are interested in. I am pleased to know that my country has this as its top priority hence, the children with special needs would continually have teachers to nurture and educate them so that they could be a productive part of our society,” she said.

Ms. Bryant also expressed gratitude to all who provided the opportunity for students to obtain a tertiary level education to enhance their future.

Ms. Hyacinth Ferguson, who represented her son at the ceremony, expressed gratitude on behalf of her family for the assistance given to Ryani to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Minor in Mechanical Engineering.

“We, as family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Medical University of the Americas and the Nevis Island Administration for this prestigious scholarship award. It is a great opportunity.

“This scholarship will definitely relieve the financial constraints of going to college. For that we will be forever grateful. I have prayed about it and my prayers have been answered. To God be the glory,” she said.

Ms. Ferguson thanked the MUA for its significant contribution to nation building over the years. However, she did not end without words of advice to both recipients.

“As you go off to college I would leave with you these words ‘Live up to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable,’ ” she said.

Meantime, Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister of Health, called on the scholarship awardees to do their best in their studies and commended them for their chosen fields of study.

“Dericia, I understand that you would be doing something in Special Education. It’s an area that we definitely need some additional support in, and I am happy that you are doing that because in as much as we look at those persons who are main stream, we also have to look at those who need additional help, that special one-on-one touch…

“The other recipient is not here with us but his mother is…and I would want her to say to him that we applaud his efforts and his bravery because pursuing math and engineering is an area that we have not seen persons gravitating to in the recent past, and so we are happy that he has now seen it fit to embark on that important journey and I am hoping that beacon, that light, encourages others to go along that line,” she said.

Mrs. Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister of Health in the NIA also pointed to the 21-year partnership the MUA shares with the NIA. She said the administration is grateful for the cordial relationship they share, one in which the university continues to give a stellar contribution to students of Nevis.

Every year two students are selected from among applicants for the scholarship. They are chosen by the MUA/NIA Scholarship committee which comprises of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Health, Human Resources and Education, the Principal Education Officer and a representative from the Private Sector and Youth.

Among those present were Mrs. Shelisa Martin-Clarke, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Human Resources Mr. Edson Elliott.