3 TT nationals get Fullbright scholarships

DOUGLAS CAMACHO, President of Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited, has urged corporate companies to come forward and assist nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to become Fullbright scholars at universities in the United States.

“To the corporate people here, I urge you not to look at it as a donation, but to look at it as a necessary investment in the human and capital potential of Trinidad and Tobago.” Camacho spoke at a ceremony hosted by United States Ambassador Dr Roy Austin on Thursday night at Flagstaff Hill, St James, to announce Fullbright scholarships to three Trinidad and Tobago nationals and to honour former President Noor Hassanali for his contribution as chairman of the committee which selects the recipients.

Maria Ruiz, formerly of St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph, was awarded the Crowne Plaza scholarship in hospitality management. Heidi Achong, who attended Holy Name Convent, received the RBTT scholarship in business and finance. Mark Barrow, an attorney, won the Guardian Life scholarship in finance.

The ceremony was attended by St Vincent’s Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and his Trinidadian wife Louise. In his address, Dr Austin said the Fullbright 2000 programme was the only one of its kind in the western hemisphere. He confirmed that the Fullbright programme had received a substantial amount of its funding from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and local and multi-national corporations in this country. “Through these generous donations, some 26 nationals of this country have been awarded scholarships to the United States thus far,” the Ambassador added. “Again, I shall like to emphasise that we would not be here today were it not for the generous donations of the GOTT and the sponsoring companies to date. It is my hope that this programme will grow in strength and that it will continue to receive financial support especially from the corporate sector.”

Dr Austin said the Fullbright programme was an investment not only in support for world peace, but also in the development of Trinidad and Tobago. The US diplomat paid glowing tribute to former President Hassanali who he said had been a supporter of the programme from its inception. He described the former President as a stalwart in the Trinidad and Tobago society and who embodied the ideals of the Fullbright programme. Two nationals who were recipients of the Fullbright scholarships in the past, gave an account of their experiences during and after the programme. Dana Seetahal, attorney and Independent Senator, spoke of her experiences at the University of Minnesota, while attorney Deborah Mendez-Brown, revealed that the scholarship had opened new doors and experiences for her in the field of law.