Dominican students attend science and engineering program in Barbados

students career program
US Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, Larry Palmer, hands over a check to SPISE director Cardinal Ward for the Dominican students (in orange) to attend the program

Two Dominican students have participated in a four-week program initiated by the Caribbean Science Foundation geared at promising students interested in exploring careers in science and engineering.

The program was held at the University of the West Indies Cavehill Campus.

Obe Joseph and Nyana George, of the Dominica State College, who recently returned to Dominica, received a grant of about $24,000 from the United States Embassy in Barbados to make it possible for them to participate in the 2013 Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE).

The two spent four weeks of their summer vacation at the UWI Campus studying Science, Biochemistry, Physics, Robotics and Electronics, Entrepreneurship, Calculus and an introduction to Mandarin.

Joseph told DNO that in addition to studying, they received the opportunity to learn about other cultures, attend career seminars and meet other students from across the region.

“It is a very well rounded program and I enjoyed it a lot since you get to build various healthy relationships with other students from the Caribbean,” she said. “I did not know what I wanted to do with my life, career wise, although I know I had an interest in Math and Physical Science and when I saw the program I felt that it would be a great way to guide me and because of this program I am actually considering Electrical Engineering.”

George added that the program was a fulfilling opportunity for her.

“It was an opportunity to develop myself and become a better individual … it really helped to determine which direction I could take in my career path,” she said. “It also helped me develop certain skills in problem solving.  I got exposed to a lot of different labs. We got the opportunity to test individuals for AIDS although the profiles were not real; we also got the chance to build a robot.”

The program, which was launched in August 2012, is an intensive four week enrichment residential summer program for promising Caribbean students who are interested in careers in science and engineering.

The goal is to help address the low numbers of Caribbean students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering.  It is specifically geared at students between the ages of 16 and 18 years.

Joseph who is a Biology, Math and Physics major received the awards for Calculus 1, Robotics and the Spirit of Spice Award, while Math and Physics major, George, received an award for Physics.

The students both received certificates of completion at the end of the program.

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16 Comments

  1. J
    August 24, 2013

    SPISE is not like normal school where you have to worry about your end of term/semester grade; you just come to learn at no personal expense.

    So all talented young people should apply next year!
    Let’s work towards developing the Caribbean!

    For more information visit caribbeanscience.org

  2. Joseph
    August 23, 2013

    SPISE is not like normal school, where you have to think about having a high average at the end of the semester/term; you just come and learn at no personal expense… So all you talented young people should apply next year! Let’s work towards developing the Caribbean!

    For more information visit caribbeanscience.org

  3. Morihei Ueshiba
    August 23, 2013

    Viva America

  4. The Educator
    August 23, 2013

    Congrats girls!!! :-D

  5. Prista
    August 23, 2013

    It’s so refreshing to read this article! I can’t imagine the pride of your parents and families!!! Keep striving for the best girls you have made us all very proud!!

  6. Pondera
    August 23, 2013

    Great opportunity for the girls.

  7. Anonymous
    August 23, 2013

    Great job girls….Keep up the good work!

  8. keturah alfred
    August 23, 2013

    Yeah hooray but petter st jean and skerrit, can we please have CAPE at DSC? Please. We,science students, need it to get good spaces at university like UWI, and certain scholarship.we doing CCSLC that makes no sense re employment or educational opportunities but we not doing CAPE. We missing out big time. Anyway, congrats to u guys, especially nyana my physics student . Best of luck and blessings on ur journey thru this (adjective) DSC.

  9. Top cop
    August 22, 2013

    Nayo and obe u girls have made all of us proud keep reaching for the stars both of u are Dominicas Celebrities

  10. Inese
    August 22, 2013

    Congrats ladies. So proud of you Obe!! :)

  11. nicole
    August 22, 2013

    Congratulations girls. Way to go CBSS! Remember you are representing us even after you leave our institution. All the best!

  12. Anonymous
    August 22, 2013

    Congratulations to Ms. Joseph and Ms. George, good job! I hope that you get the suport and encouragement from the Goverbment of Dominica. I cannot help but lament the fact that the education system in Dominica is not conducive to the ambitions of students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering. My statement is based on the Ministry of Education’s failure to offer CAPE and/or GCE A levels, which are fully recognised at most universities. The students have to do these exams privately on their own! The DSC is a wonderful project, and one which I fully support, but not at the expense of those students who wish to pursue advanced degrees. The should be flexible to the needs of the students, and offer different, or even combined tracts of study.

    Anyway, back to the students, good job, keep trudging on, do not lose sight of your goals and dreams!!

    • proud
      August 23, 2013

      I strongly support that Dominica needs to introduce CAPE into the education system, it’s the way to go. Most of the students of the other Caribbean countries are doing CAPE and when you are part of a program with them they are always more advanced. I am calling on the Ministry of Education to look into introducing CAPE in Dominica for the advancement of our education system.

  13. proud
    August 22, 2013

    Proud of you girls now use all the knowledge gained to positively impact on your lives and to motivate others. Well done!

  14. hope
    August 22, 2013

    Bravo… Castle Bruce Secondary students continue to make strides; I am so proud of your achievements. Aim high girls and do not be afraid to soar.
    Bravo!

  15. Sylvester Cadette
    August 22, 2013

    Sweet music to the ear. Congratulations GIRLS !! Dominica must be proud of both your achievement and awards at the 4-week Science/engineering program. I am pleased that it has set the added foundation for building your confidence careers in engineering and innovation.

    To all others looking on – emulate the good and for those institutions who can, please give added support and facilitation to the bright stars of today and tomorrow.

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