From left to right: COSTAATT’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement Ms. June Alexis-Matthew, RBL’s Marketing Manager Lisa Mc Carthy, students Daniella Salandy, Arielle Spann, Josette Smith-Bethel, Evana Douglas and COSTAATT’s Acting President Dr. Gillian Paul.
Five students of the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) have received financial grants from Republic Bank Limited (RBL) to assist with various aspects of their college lives.
The students, Josette Smith-Bethel (Nursing), Evana Douglas (Environmental Management), Arielle Spann (Basic General Nursing), Daniella Salandy (Biology- Pre Med) and Joanna Bernard (Nursing) were each presented with a five thousand dollar grant on Tuesday 17 July, 2012 at the COSTAATT City Campus, Melville Lane, Port of Spain.
The five recipients of the RBL Career Builder Bursaries were selected from among a number of applicants. They each met the criteria of maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA and fully demonstrated how the grant would be used to enhance their educational development.
COSTAATT’s Acting President, Dr. Gillian Paul, said that she was extremely pleased with this new partnership with RBL. She noted that some of the issues students faced included the inability to cover pertinent expenses which the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) did not cater to. Dr. Paul explained that the “stress” of wondering where to source funds to cover these expenses, often affected students adversely, and she was happy that RBL has taken an active interest in facilitating their success.
RBL’s Marketing Manager of Product Development, Deposits and Investments Lisa Mc Carthy noted that RBL was delighted to offer bursaries to COSTAATT since it meant students would get the opportunity to concentrate fully on their studies. Ms. Mc Carthy also took the time to encourage students to realise their dreams and have faith and hope – “Know that where you start is not necessarily where you will end. Keep focused and always strive for excellence.”
Recipient, Josette Smith Bethel a Moruga resident, wife and mother of two, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to both COSTAATT and RBL, saying that when she found out that she received the grant she was overjoyed. Having experienced a few personal challenges this year, she expressed confidence that this bursary would go a long way in improving her circumstances.
Also present at the ceremony was COSTAATT’s, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, June Alexis-Matthew, Dean of Students, Dr. Merle Hoyte, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, Naseem Koylass, Chair of Environmental Studies, Glenda Charles-Harris, and Chair of Natural and Life Sciences Delamae Wilson.