Page 11 - UWI QUALITY CIRCLE Vol.19 May 2017

Student Success: The Role of Scholarships
BY MRS. JANET GRANT, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OFFICE OF THE BOARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES (OBUS), THE UWI OPEN CAMPUS
to the signi cant value of the scholarship and how it supported their success. Below are some of these testimonies:
“... I was granted the UWI Open Scholarship which changed my life...I was able to pursue my dreams and eventually graduate as [a] Valedictorian...” (Calvon Charles, St Augustine Campus)
“The scholarship came at the most opportune time as I was faced with various challenges...a mother of two young boys...an employee and a student...the Scholarship allowed me to obtain an Upper Second Class Honours”. (Christine McFarlane, Open Campus)
In many ways, student success depends on the availability of resources and students’ access to the same. Recognising this, the governments of the region, through The University of the West Indies (The UWI), have invested millions annually to award
regional scholarships including The UWI Open and UWI Caribbean School Examination Certi cate (CSEC) Scholarships.
These scholarships are administered by the Of ce of the Board for Undergraduate Studies (OBUS) and are awarded to students across all Faculties for the required duration of their programmes. The UWI Open Scholarship is the most prestigious academic scholarship which attracts high achievers within the region. Similarly, The UWI/ CSEC scholarship is awarded to the top achievers in the region.
In 2016, forty-two UWI Open Scholars graduated from the Faculty of Medical Sciences with the following class of degrees: 25 with First Class Honours; 10 with Upper Second Class; 1 with Lower Second Class Honours; 4 with Honours; and 2 with Pass degrees. In the same year, four UWI/CSEC Scholars graduated from the Faculty of Medical Sciences: 1 with Upper Second class; 1 with Lower Second class; and 2 with Honours. Some of these awardees have testi ed
“As the rst of my immediate family to graduate from University... the UWI Open Scholarship [allowed me to leave] college debt free...” (Rae-Chelle-Faith Hamilton, Mona Campus)
“... I was awarded a UWI Open Scholarship to study medicine at UWI Mona...the conditions to maintain the scholarship was the driving force towards excellence, as I graduated with honours...” (Candice Medley, Mona Campus)
“Pursuing my undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life so far...” (Zoie Hamilton, Cave Hill Campus)
As the scholars have indicated, costs are a signi cant factor in deciding on a university degree. This is also veri ed in The UWI study where students who registered in 2008/2009 identi ed two of three top factors that in uence attrition as cost (28%) and unexpected expenses (23%) which total 51%. This data showed that 51% of the dropouts in the academic year 2009/2010 were attributable to nancial constraints. Therefore, the award of scholarships particularly, to those in nancially challenged environments, is integral to student success, retention and on-time graduation.
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