In a setting where attaining the highest grade is the gold standard, rewarding a student even though he did not earn that distinction, while others did, may be questionable. However, as explained by Tutor in Economics at the Barbados Community College, Roger Haynes, sometimes what really matters is the work put in to get to the end of the journey. And that was the case with Khalil Kellman, who didn’t end his Associate Degree in Economics and Accounting with the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in the class, but was still rewarded with the inaugural Economics Department scholarship, granted through a partnership between the BCC and the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
Mr. Haynes told an audience comprising Kellman’s mother, Quinell Kellman, Head of the Economics Department at the UWI, Dr. Mahalia Jackman, and other members of staff of the BCC that the 19 year old showed deep commitment to his studies and recognizing him was the department’s way of acknowledging his hard work.
The group met in the BCC’s Boardroom to witness the presentation of a laptop that is expected to help Kellman along his academic journey.
The economics tutor added these types of gestures were important in the overall scheme of teaching and learning. “When we award students we tell them they are doing a good job, they become motivated and far better students. In doing that you will find that we improve both sides … the learning side first of all, the student is more committed, more motivated, works harder and the other side …the teaching side also benefits too because we have a motivated student to teach and that makes our job easier”, he said.
Head of Economics at the UWI, Dr. Mahalia Jackman presented Kellman with the device. She lauded the young man for his choice of study, noting that Economics, although not among the more popular subjects, pairs well with many other existing subjects and is also now part of many emerging fields.
“You have set yourself in an area that is very [flexible]. You can go into anywhere … most people tend to go into finance and business, I find, but you can go anywhere. It is a good foundation for critical thinking … I am very excited about the next generation of economists coming in”, she said.
And as he congratulated Kellman for his hard work, BCC’s Deputy Principal, Samuel Bowen also praised the UWI for its part in the gesture.
Mr. Bowen said, “Our partnership with the University of the West Indies is the foundation upon which this scholarship is built. By this action, we have created a powerful alliance that is not just about providing critical support, but about investing in the future of our economy. By empowering this young man we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient economic landscape, one that will thrive under the leadership pf of our future innovators and decision makers”.
A soft spoken Kellman, who is headed to the UWI to pursue a degree in Accounts and Finance, thanked all involved.