CAYMAN CONVERSATIONS TALKS SCHOLARSHIPS WITH CIS

Cayman International School (CIS) is taking its commitment to “access to education” even further by expanding its Caymanian Citizenship Scholarship (CSS).

Appearing on the inaugural edition of the new Caymanian Times multi-platform programme, Cayman Conversations, CIS director Jim Urquhart outlined the extended scholarship offer.

“Our work with expanding the scholarship programme is to help with the notion of enhancing that accessibility not just from a financial standpoint, but also from a cultural standpoint, and an awareness standpoint.”

The new scholarship offer is targeted at students entering years 9, 10 or 11 and will cover their school fees at CIS for a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years, enabling successful students to follow CIS’s globally-accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma study programme.

Ultimately, the plan is to have up to twelve qualifying students in the scheme.

The issue of free education was raised by the host of Cayman Conversations Ralph Lewis, editor of Caymanian Times newspaper, and drew this response from CIS Director Urquhart.

“The keyword is access to education. My sense worldwide, not just here in the Cayman Islands, is that greater access should be available for we know that the world seems to be going slowly in a direction where access to education becomes a financial challenge to people. In a perfect world, even in a good world that access should have greater availability. And our work with expanding the scholarship programme is to help with the notion of enhancing that accessibility not just from a financial standpoint, but also from a cultural standpoint and from an awareness standpoint.”

Expanding on that theme, Mr Urquhart explained how she sees this benefitting both the individual student and the wider community.

“My sense is that despite this is just my 20 a month here in the Cayman Islands, is that the notion that we’re a stronger Island the more we work together. And that greater sharing across the island I think is critical. And so it’s reassuring to hear that many locations are looking to expand scholarship opportunities to increase access. It allows people to pursue areas that might be of interest to them, that in previous years they might not have given great consideration to.”

This latest initiative by CIS follows a growth pattern for the school since it was established in 1994 as the Faulkner Academy with high ideals in October of 1994, subsequently purchased by International Schools Services (ISS) in 2002 and the name of the school changed to Cayman International School (CIS) in 2003.

It currently caters to 960 students with further expansion plans to accommodate an additional 40 by August this year.

The school’s curriculum now offers classes from kindergarten to tertiary education culminating with its globally-accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

Appearing alongside CIS Director Jim Urquhart on Cayman Conversation was CIS student Zion Bodden who offered this perspective.

“I think tertiary education opens up so many doors. I know a lot of my friends, a lot of people in my grade will be looking to pursue that kind of education after they leave CIS and I think that it doesn’t really matter what occupation you want to go into. I would love to go into football, but I understand that it’s not always the most realistic goal. So it’s important to have something to fall back on.”

In addition to a focus on academic studies, CIS also emphasises sports, life skills training and other pursuits for its student body who are drawn from the wide spectrum of Cayman society.

The school’s outlook is underpinned in its mission statement: “We are a positive school community strengthened by our international diversity. We find common ground in a shared commitment to learning that connects ideas and people, challenges us to grow, and inspires us to better ourselves and our world. We use principles to guide our journey and recognize that preparing for and shaping the future starts with embracing the opportunities that surround us each day.”

Cayman Conversations with Ralph Lewis is aired Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm on BOBO 89.1FM (Cayman’s community station)

You can also listen back to this and upcoming editions of Cayman Conversations on the Caymantain Times Facebook page and YouTube channel where you can also follow the live stream on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm.