SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten —When B. Hassel, Nzinga Lake, Charity Dunker, Cornelius Marie, Morenika Arrindell and Merlyn Williams attended what was slated to be an orientation and informative session on Journalism on December 21, a specialized certification program course, offered by the University of St. Martin (USM) under its newest division SCELL, they received an early Christmas gift of having been recipients of scholarships to cover tuition costs.

They are only required to pay significantly low costs for the textbooks required for instruction. The course will be facilitated by Ms.Wendie Brown and coordinated by Dr. Natasha Gittens, Director of SCELL.

One of the recipients, Ms. Bernadette Hassell, said "I am truly grateful for the Journalism Course scholarship...the contents of this course will definitely contribute to my writing life. Thank you to all persons who contributed to the realization of this great project!"

Another recipient, Mr. Cornelius D Marie, said "There is just one word I can use to show my gratitude for receiving a scholarship to do this much needed Journalism course, and it is "AWESOME!". I would like to thank everyone who made it possible. Words of appreciating might not even seem adequate, so what I can guarantee is my commitment to the course, and success till the end.  Thank you once again." 

The course, “Journalism, understanding what’s new about news” had started out as a vision of the Member of Parliament, Hon. Tamara Leonard and the “I AM SXM” foundation, and through a collaborative initiative between the former Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunications (TEATT), Mr. Claret Connor, the President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI), Ms. Peggy Brandon, and the staff of the USM, a plan was implemented. The funding was provided by the Bureau Telecommunications and Post Sint Maarten (BTPSXM).

MP Tamara Leonard said "I am happy that there is an avenue for people to improve on their talent by becoming certified and delivering reliable and responsible journalism. This is how we bring solutions to problems, it might be a very small fraction of the real problem but it is a start. More companies to should follow the lead of BTP and the Chamber and provide avenues for recognize improvement throughout the country."

“The course was built on the premise that the population of 21st century St. Maarten has the right to research being the foundation of policies that affect them,” stated Francio Gaudeloupe, President and Interim Dean of Academics of USM, “but also the right to be furnished the tools to do adequate research. Both are indispensable new citizenship and human rights to build a democratic and sustainable St. Maarten,” concluded Gaudeloupe.

This course will begin on February 1st, from 3 to 6 pm at USM in room 205. It is still open to participants who wish to register and join. Parties interested in more information or registering for this course are to contact 554-2437 or email SCELL @usmonlline.net.