“One of the things that motivated me when I was growing up, was no one in my household ever told me that I could not do something. Every time I told my parents or my grandmother that I wanted to become a physician, they never said I couldn’t because I had sickle cell anemia. So parents, I would like to encourage you to think big for your children and do not set barriers or obstacles inadvertently on them by limiting them because of your current circumstances. Your current circumstances do not dictate your future,” said Dr Wayne Frederick, the current Howard University president, a Trinidadian and sickle cell disease survivor.
Dr Frederick was speaking at a Howard University Open Day held at the Success Laventille Composite School on April 7. bmobile was a proud sponsor of the event which was hosted by i95.5 FM as part of their ongoing Laventille Nights Series.
Addressing the room full of students, parents, guardians and teachers, Dr Frederick spoke about the importance of having the support of parents, family and a good network of the right friends and mentors. He also shared his life journey of dreaming big and studying and working hard to achieve his academic and career goals, despite having financial challenges and sickle cell disease.
Two Howard alumni, Sheldon Jones who grew up in San Juan and Carlton Serrette, who lived in Morvant, also shared their individual life stories of being accepted to Howard despite their humble beginnings.
Assuring the audience that Howard University offered an environment that will not limit them but unleash their potential, Dr Frederick said he invited the two alumni to speak because some people at a previous open day held in Laventille thought because he was from a different neighbourhood, they could not have the same opportunities as he did. “T&T has one of the best education systems in the world and you have to apply yourself every day to take advantage of this opportunity and get a good education. Your educational pursuits do not start when you apply to university. It starts from before”, he said.
TSTT acting Chief Technology Officer Hassel Bacchus discussed the importance of the use of technology in education for the advancement of a society. “Technology is what enables us to dream bigger and go further. Under the leadership of our CEO, Dr Ronald Walcott, we are transforming TSTT into an agile broadband company so we can deliver the services T&T needs to allow its citizens to reach their full potential.
Bacchus continued, “When you marry technology and education you get really spectacular results. Together, they provide the three Es: 1. They are enablers of individuals and society; 2. They encourage entrepreneurship; and 3. They are equalisers. With the advance of technology today, there is nothing that you cannot figure out, produce or do, regardless of where you live or where you are in life. It’s no longer about who has and who doesn’t have. Technology levels the field.”
The event also attracted prospective Howard University students from all over the country. Cyril Ann Hunte, 25 and Aphea James, 19, travelled from La Brea and Bon Accord, Tobago, respectively. “I always had an interest in Howard University because it reflects what I stand for as young, black woman growing up in today’s society. I wish to study political science and law at Howard and needed to find out more about their scholarships and financial assistance. It was a really great experience because the two alumni who spoke made us realise that they were just like us at s0me point in time but they were able to get into Howard and improve on their lives. I felt inspired”, said James. Hunte has been performing and teaching theatre arts since 2009. “I believe that doing a Theatre Arts-Acting degree at Howard will expose me to invaluable experiences that will equip me to excel in my field and make a difference. I am glad that I came today because I learned that there are no scholarship age limits that would give preference to a younger person now leaving high school over an older person like myself.”
A release said school principal, Hamida Baksh and I95.5/Red president Tony Lee, welcomed the open day participants and were followed by Stephen Weeks, US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, who discussed the steps a student should follow to become eligible to study in the United States, as well as tips to lower the costs of attending a foreign university or college. The afternoon session then closed with a question and answer segment with the Howard University president.