Student essays wanted for conference competition

(CNS): College students and those in their last two years of school are being encouraged to submit entries for the UCCI’s essay competition, which forms part of the spring conference.  The Planning Committee of the 50-50 Caribbean Conference launched the competition last week as a way to actively involve the young people of Cayman in the annual academic conference. The theme for the competition, “50-50: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future”, follows that of the conference being hosted by UCCI in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI).

There are two main categories for entrants: Secondary and Tertiary.  The secondary category is for fifth and sixth form students and the tertiary category is open for students in all tertiary institutions.

“The topics cover diverse areas that are linked to the conference theme: politics, colonialism, crime, governance to name a few,” said committee member Erica Gordon.  “The competition serves as a way to encourage the participation of students who may not be able to present papers at the conference.  This competition aims at raising awareness among our young people, gives them an opportunity to explore the theme and share their views on the issues.” 

Last year’s winner from the secondary category was the representative from Cayman Brac High, Jovonnie Anglin. UCCI’s Matthew Gayle topped the tertiary category.  Prizes were awarded by Kirk Office Equipment, Digicel, Cengage Publishing and UCCI’s President, Roy Bodden.  The prizes for this year’s competition will be of an equally high standard in order to make it attractive enough to encourage participation.

The topics for each category are listed on the website www.UCCIconference.ky and the deadline for submission of entries is Monday, February 27,2012.  The winners will be announced on March 23, during the closing ceremonies of the conference. Contact Dr Ginnie Gardiner at ggardiner@ucci.edu.ky or Erica Gordon at egordon@ucci.edu.ky for more information.

See posters below.