A former Miss Dominica, association of Dominican students, shine at UWI

Dominican, Jacintha Fagan, has been selected as the Most Outstanding International Pharmacy Student at the St. Augustine Campus of The University of The West Indies (UWI) for 2016 . She also received an award for excellence.

Fagan, who won the Miss Dominica Pageant in 2011, began her studies in pharmacy at the UWI in August 2012 and completed in May 2016. She will graduate in October this year with a Bachelor of Science (honors) degree in Pharmacy.

In addition to her academic studies, Fagan’s preparation for the pharmaceutical profession included apprenticeships at various pharmaceutical facilities during her final year .

“The knowledge gained in class was put to practice during our final year at various pharmaceutical venues including Ambulatory and Emergency Hospital settings, A Women’s Hospital, the General Hospital in the capital of Trinidad and two Community Pharmacies,” she states. “[An] oath taking ceremony took place on the 30^th of June 2016 which commemorated our success in fulfilling all the requirements during the four years including our final exams in May. At this event,we pledged our allegiance as newly fledged pharmacists and vowed to remain loyal to our purpose.”

Upon completion of her internship, Fagan plans to return to Dominica with a license to practice pharmacy.

Meanwhile, The Dominica Student Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DOMSATT), which was established to represent and support Dominican students at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, also came under the spotlight for winning the 2016/2017 ‘Taste UWI’ competition.

The competition was one of a number of activities in which the Association participated during orientation week at the campus.

“We have so far maintained our place in the top three positions for either our food displays or booth presentation or both, and we have once again kept this tradition by winning 1^st place in the 2016/2017 ‘Taste UWI’ competition,” DOMSATT stated.

The criteria for the competition this year included choosing an ingredient and using it as the main ingredient to create a local dish. That ingredient had to be incorporated in the theme for this year – ’50 Shades of Spices’. DOMSATT chose plantain as their main ingredient.

A three course meal was prepared using plantain, garnished with a variety of spices. The appetizer was fried sweet plantain with a sour cream beef dip. The main course consisted of virgin plantain punch, codfish stuffed in roasted ripe plantain along with plantain fritters.  For desert, the DOMSATT team made ice cream. To display Dominica’s culture, the dishes were decorated with madras trimmings and served by Dominican students dressed in full Wob Dwiyet.

The Association also took the opportunity to showcase a number of different products manufactured  in Dominica.

The objectives of DOMSATT include showcasing Dominica’s culture and representing the country in various activities which are geared towards Caribbean integration at the University.

According to DOMSATT, although it is based at the St. Augustine campus, “the Association incorporates all Dominican students in Trinidad during these activities.”

The Association has extended a “heartfelt thank you” to all those who assisted in its success in the 2016/2017 scholastic year.

DOMSATT”s Executive Committee is currently headed by President Lisana Dyer and includes Arnelle Isaac- Vice President, Joel Peter- Treasurer, Colleen Gordon- Secretary and Yasmin John- PRO.