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UWI congratulates Paralympic bronze medallist, student Nyoshia Cain

For Release Upon Receipt - September 26, 2016

St. Augustine


Sprinter Nyoshia Cain, first-year student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, was the guest of honour at The UWI St. Augustine Campus last Friday, September 23, as she paid a courtesy visit to Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Brian Copeland. She was met with hearty congratulations for her tremendous accomplishments in not only making it to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil but for receiving a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m (t44) category with a personal best of 13.10. She returned from Rio with the other members of the National Paralympic team on Tuesday night.

Nyoshia was accompanied by her coach, Micky Reuben, and her mother, Charlene Cain, who is also a member of staff at The UWI Open Campus. In addition to Professor Copeland, the trio met with Deputy Campus Principal, Professor Rhoda Reddock; Director of The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC), Major David Benjamin; Director of the Division of Student Services and Development, Dr. Deirdre Charles; University and Campus Director of Marketing and Communications, Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill; and Senior Administrative Assistant at SPEC, Mrs Lystra Francis and other UWI staff to recap Cain’s experience in Rio.

The 21-year old, who is enrolled in the BSc Sport Management programme, described her Paralympic journey as “great, but challenging especially in terms of physical health.” She added, “I was proud to represent Trinidad and Tobago.” Coach Reuben, who also coaches The UWI St. Augustine’s track and field team, emphasised that The UWI was a pivotal part of Cain’s success since Cain used SPEC’s track facilities as part of her training for the Paralympics. “The experience has had its ups and downs, but you look for people who have passion for the sport like Major Benjamin,” he said.   

The Campus Principal used the occasion to extend congratulations and support for athletes of Nyoshia’s potential. “On behalf of the St. Augustine Campus and the entire University of the West Indies, I would like to congratulate you on your sterling performance. We are extremely proud of you. Given your youth, we expect you to continue on your path of excellence, providing inspiration to other student athletes as we continue to support you in the achievement of your academic and athletic goals,” he said.  

Cain signed The UWI St. Augustine’s Guest Book, which documents distinguished visitors to the campus back to the 1940s, and was presented with a token of appreciation on behalf of the campus. She begins her studies on Monday.

End

About The UWI

Since its inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged, regional University with well over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology and Social Sciences. UWI’s seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. Website: www.uwi.edu

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

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