Faculties of Science and Technology & Food and Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Biology
First Class Honours
Melissa Edwards’s connection to nature and animals started in childhood. Growing up in the countryside of beautiful Cedros made her closely connected to the outdoors, and that passion sparked the moment she entered campus. “One of my favourite UWI moments was on my first day when I became surrounded by my loves: animals! At orientation, there was a tent with eagles and owls, and my favourites, snakes.”
Throughout her time as a student, she met some amazing humans, too, friends who made the campus feel like home. “Although UWI was really far away from home, it provided me with the best opportunities, and the distance exposed me to new things.”
Her love of living things made studying biology a no-brainer; though pursuing biochemistry made her unsure. “Over time, it grew into something I enjoy. The constant challenges kept my mind engaged, and I’m grateful I stuck with it.”
Melissa credits her parents as a source of strength, and the backbone of success behind her role as valedictorian both in primary school and at her alma mater, Vessigny Secondary School. Her future goal is to be an advocate for those special creatures closest to her heart: reptiles. “I aspire to educate others and reduce the fear surrounding these incredible animals.”
Faculties of Engineering & Law
Bachelor of Laws
First Class Honours
When asked to summarise his UWI experience, Koffi Paul believes “some things you can’t quantify”. A self-proclaimed “hot mouth who liked to prove a point” since his Queen’s Royal College days, Koffi’s passion for advocacy and speaking on behalf of others made him fall in love with the law. Yet to truly represent his future clients, he decided he had to manoeuvre around his introverted inclinations and into leadership roles like Faculty of Law Guild Representative and President of the Law Society. This allowed him to make friends and connect with his Caribbean roots.
“My parents are from Grenada, and I have family all over. I’m very pro-regionalist, so I was happy to experience the different cultures on campus.”
Although Koffi faced a tough daily commute from Chase Village to St Augustine, he used it as an opportunity to spend more time on campus and represent his faculty to the fullest, like he did at UWI Sports Day. “We’re one of the smallest faculties, and we came in second place – just because we’re small and typically bookish lawyers doesn’t mean we can’t dominate in sports!”
Koffi is most excited about continuing to work with his non-profit organisation, MADE T&T, and fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer, but he’s open to all possibilities. “I don’t have a mantra; I just live with an open mind, never feeling that I can’t learn from someone or that I know everything. I simply always try to give of my best.”
Faculty of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Economics (Major), Environmental Economics (Minor), International Relations (Minor)
First Class Honours
“I think a lot of people hear the word economics and immediately think the study revolves around money or finance, but it’s much more than that; it’s about the way of life.” Lyan Lagan has been interested in economics since her time at St Augustine Girls High School, and wanted to delve deeper into the relationship between the economy and the environment. As an aspiring economist attuned to the vulnerability of developing countries, Lyan chose UWI because she wanted a learning environment that was rich in diversity and reflected Caribbean regionalism.
When confronted with a heavy academic schedule, she accepted the challenge: “UWI taught me about the importance of school-life balance. I could always finish an assignment and go to a party the same day. I’m proud I don’t limit myself.”
Her self-confidence stems from her older sister Amy Lagan: “She’s one of the main reasons I am who I am today. She’s my biggest inspiration and always encourages me to take risks and get things done.”
Lyan aims to engage in work that will strengthen the country’s, the region’s, and the world’s resilience to climate change and its impacts, and travel to experience new cultures, places, and cuisines.
Faculty of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Special)
First Class Honours
“I think my boldness in practising my faith on campus grew as I grew.”
To call Antoni Mannette a devout Catholic would be an understatement. “During my time at UWI, I’d spend every day at church. I would go to mass at 5:45 am, then go to work for 8, then come back to UWI for evening classes.” Her steadfastness wasn’t a secret for her friends, but sometimes she would find herself holding back: “In classroom discussions, people would bring up examples where they felt mistreated by the Catholic Church, and I wanted to say, ‘That should not have been your experience,’ but I felt like I couldn’t contribute.”
Learning to navigate complex experiences and emotions is something Antoni felt compelled to understand and help others do the same, which is why she chose to study psychology. As her time at UWI advanced, Antoni found her “personal oasis” in small moments like bonding over finals with her psych buddies or rushing over to The UWI Chaplaincy in-between class with other members of the Catholic Students Movement to have guitar sessions with Sister Sandra.
“I never felt hampered by my faith at UWI; I knew that as long as I was gentle but also honest in my discussions, others would be as well.” Antoni looks forward to “seeing all the ways God will call me to serve others throughout my life”.
Faculties of Humanities and Education & Sport
Bachelor of Science in Sport Kinetics
First Class Honours
Alexandria Douglas has been involved in sports since age five, but as the Faculty of Sport's first ever valedictorian, she wants to make one thing clear: "We don't literally play sports for our degree. A lot of us do play sport, but in Sport Kinetics we learn about sport science, human anatomy, and physiology."
Also, she's a proud Trinbagonian from Trincity. "People used to ask where I'm from; I don't know why," she recalls. But Alexandria welcomed all questions because her goal was to live campus life to the fullest. And she did, from becoming captain of the football team and Faculty of Sport Guild Representative, to participating in dance battles at campus mixers.
Taking up residence at Sir Arthur Lewis Hall, she considers it one of her most memorable UWI experiences: "I commuted to campus for my second year and lived on hall for my final – it changed everything for me. The depth of relationships you make are invaluable. We helped uplift each other through everything. When three of my biggest supporters, my great-aunts, passed away in my final year, it was difficult, but my friends were there for me." Alexandria plans to try her best in the future and remain open to all possibilities in the field of sport.
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
Upper Second Class Honours
“I didn’t choose pharmacy; pharmacy chose me. One day I walked into a pharmacy, and had the strongest gut feeling that this is what I was supposed to do.”
With such conviction, Selena Deochand excelled in the sciences at Naparima Girls’ High School, and entered her first year ready and excited. However, the COVID-19 pandemic took her in a new direction. “It forced me to embrace the unknown. I became a problem-solver, critical thinker, and lifelong learner. I taught myself graphic design and digital marketing. Now, I use those skills as a graphic designer and social media manager for the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance daily.”
Now, having spent a few months into her internship as a practicing pre-registration pharmacist, she misses UWI already. “I miss Medical Sciences Student Council football and cricket matches, the conversations from Mt Hope to main campus, the ole talk with my lecturers, singing in the car with my friends – I wouldn’t change that for the world.”
Still, she proudly advocates for the pharmacy field, and encourages young people entering medicine to consider joining. Outside of pharmacy, Selena loves baking, reading, and watching sports, and calls her parents her biggest supporters. She is not sure what her future may hold, but is focused on her immediate goals of completing her pre-registration pharmacist period and becoming the best pharmacist she can be.
