00:00 The University of the West Indies Development and Endowment Fund has been
00:04 assisting students with scholarships, bursaries and also provides for certain
00:08 projects including research since 1989. This year is no different. Principal of
00:14 the UW-St. Augustine campus, Professor Rosemary Bell Antwine says education is a
00:19 critical development tool and it's important to overcome the hurdles
00:23 including financial troubles which can stand in the way of students.
00:27 The bursaries not only cover tuition fees but also represent a significant
00:34 investment in the potential of individuals. By providing access to
00:39 education, bursaries to nurture talent, foster diversity and cultivate a
00:47 generation capable of enriching communities, innovating industries and
00:53 shaping a brighter future. She notes that a fund is supported by sponsors and
00:58 those who patronize UWE Deaf events. Your generosity will help change the lives of
01:05 our students for the better and I'm really delighted to announce that we are
01:10 giving out a total of 210 awards today with 200 worth. Yes that deserves applause.
01:20 But there's even better with 200 worth 5,000 each and the remaining 10 worth
01:28 15,000 each. The latter are star scholarships awarded to students who
01:33 have displayed academic excellence and outstanding performance in co-curricular
01:38 activities. The UWE principal is asking awardees to give back by being
01:42 catalysts for positive change. Chairman of UWE Deaf, Dr. Sterling Frost says the
01:48 recipients are future leaders. He says the fund has evolved over the years and
01:52 has provided over 4,000 scholarships and bursaries to students across TNT and the
01:58 Caribbean. Without this financial assistance many students would not be
02:04 able to afford the cost of tuition and other related expenses hindering their
02:09 ability to achieve their full potential or as we say here on campus, discover
02:16 your power, create your future. Dr. Frost says an investment in the youth is the
02:22 building of society. He highlights that a two main fundraisers for deaf are the
02:27 annual UWE Carnival Fete and the golf challenge. However in 2024 the UWE
02:35 Carnival Fete will transition before mid-year to the UWE Garden Party
02:41 building on the resounding success of the inaugural event dubbed Fete Champets
02:48 held in 2022. There is also the event launch this year called Ignite. The
02:55 initiatives are aimed at doubling the awards. Right now we do 1 million dollars
03:00 in total annually. It is the board's desire to double that to 2 million
03:07 dollars. Regional students are awarded 20% of the UWE Deaf bursaries and
03:12 scholarships. Dr. Frost's message to the beneficiaries is to support future UWE
03:18 Deaf events. Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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