Three Saint Lucians have been awarded prestigious Chevening Scholarships and will depart for the United Kingdom in September to pursue postgraduate studies.
Ronaldo Degazon, Kina Nicholas and Jevanic Henry were selected from a global pool of applicants to join the UK Government-funded programme, which offers full financial support for a one-year master’s degree at any UK university.
Degazon will pursue an MSc in data science at Lancaster University. He described his selection as a “relief,” having applied unsuccessfully the previous year. “This year I put more work into my interview especially,” he said, crediting former scholars who reached out and helped him prepare. “It was as if God was orchestrating the stars to align for me to get it this year.” He added that he is excited to earn his degree, explore Europe for the first time, and connect with an international academic community.
Kina Nicholas and Jevanic Henry will both study climate change, development and policy at the University of Sussex, currently ranked first globally for development studies.
For Nicholas, the award represents more than personal achievement. “Being a Chevening Scholar is an honour and a deep responsibility,” she said. “It’s the manifestation of my ‘Caribbean spirit’ dream – to serve, to lead with greater purpose and to be a bridge between local realities and global solutions.”
Henry, who works with the UN Climate Change Secretariat, said the programme aligns with his goal of further supporting climate action in Saint Lucia and across Small Island Developing States (SIDS). “It promises a balanced approach where I’m able to understand even more deeply the linkages between climate and other sectors,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to learn from the best in the field and then come back and support our climate-related efforts.”
He added that as Saint Lucia and other countries have submitted revised national climate plans, his studies will position him to help implement those commitments more effectively.
Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with leadership potential and a strong professional background. The scheme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and partner organizations.
Congratulations. Well-done to you all! This is good for St Lucia and international relations.
Well done. All the best with your studies.