Kai–Ann Working on Regional Integration for PhD
“Absolutely Phenomenal!” – that is precisely how twenty six (26) year old Kai–Ann Skeete described her study experience thus far, having had the opportunity to travel the entire Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region and to visit Latin America and England to attend and present papers at conferences as well as to have a stint as a visiting scholar at a Canadian university. “I’ve had extensive academic and professional development in my programme.” She said of her current doctoral studies in International Relations (Regional Integration). Kai–Ann started her PhD after completing an Associate Degree in French, Spanish and Italian for Business and Tourism at the Barbados Community College, a Bachelors Degree in International Relations with a minor in Political Science at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus and a Masters degree in International Relations (International Trade) at UWI, St. Augustine.
The former student of the Alexandra Secondary School had her first experience with the Student Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) in 2010 as a strategic measure to comfortably continue her PhD at the UWI, St. Agustine campus in Trinidad, where she is researching contingent rights in CARICOM. She indicated that the loan has allowed her to dedicate the required time to her studies without having to worry about working during the last two (2) years of her PhD.
Kai–Ann stressed that the SRLF has allowed her to simultaneously pursue her PhD in Trinidad and become a visiting scholar in the PhD Policy Studies Programme at Ryerson University, therefore propelling her career goal; to continue to promote regional integration as a regional social policy analyst.
Kai – Ann readily recommends the SRLF to others, emphasizing, “it takes the pressure off of the students looking to pursue any level of studies, especially post graduate students. It is definitely one of the best ways to comfortably secure and invest in your future.” Additionally, she advises, “the key to succeeding is consistency – consistently strive to do your best in any academic pursuit.”