Maria’s first in Business Studies

SHE CAME from a family with a strong background in business, and when Maria Abdool’s name was announced as being the first in the world in Business Studies  as a result of the 2004 Advanced Level Examination, one could very well understand the reason for her overwhelming success.  Maria, daughter of Lawrence Abdool and Isra Abdool,  of Abdool Avenue, Chase Village, Chaguanas, was delighted “at the news of my success and I want to thank God for whatever I have so far achieved in life, for he is my Light and my Saviour.” Maria received her early education as a pupil of the Orange  Field Hindu School, Carapichaima,  and after her Common Entrance success in 1997, was assigned to Holy Faith Convent, in Couva. “Convent is very conducive to studies and apart from the environment the school has a dedicated staff and principal whose only desire is to see the students under their care and supervision reach the highest rung of the educational ladder,” Maria said.

At the Ordinary Level she gained distinctions in Mathematics, Literature, Information Technology  and Principles of Accounts, and was awarded a two in Spanish and English Language and a B in Economics. At the Advanced Level she got full  ‘“As’ in Economics, Principles of Accounts,  and Management of Business,”  and it is not surprising that she was admittted to the Faculty of Social Sciences at UWI, to pursue a course leading to a Business Management Degree. Maria was quick to point out that all the teachers who “contributed to shaping my life so far must be praised for their effort, especially Wendy Lee Ali  (Management of Business) and Lystra James (Economics) ,  at the Upper Six Class.” Maria is a devout Roman Catholic and she attends the Roman Catholic Church in  Chaguanas where she is a member of the Church choir. “Believe in yourself, have dreams and whatever you succeed in life, give praises to God,” she said. Her one brother, Joel, is a third year student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UWI.