Water Authority names scholarship winner

CNS Editor | 22/08/2016

Scholarship winner Kristina Powell (second from left), flanked by her parents, Natasha Ewers and George Powell, a meter reader, with Gelia Frederick-van Genderen and John Bodden, also of the Water Authority

(CNS): Kristina Powell, this year’s recipient of the Water Authority-Cayman annual scholarship, will begin studies in her major in management information systems (MIS) at the University of Tampa this fall. Every year the authority offers a scholarship of up to CI$30,000 to a suitably qualified Caymanian to obtain an undergraduate academic or technical/vocational degree or diploma in a field of study relevant to its work.

After discovering a passion for both accounting and information technology, Powell first achieved an associate’s degree in business administration at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI).

“It wasn’t until I was almost finished with my business degree that I realised how much I enjoyed working on and assisting my co-workers with their computer-related issues,” Powell explained in an authority press release.

After graduating with from UCCI, she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in MIS.

“I decided to major in MIS because it encompasses elements of both an information technology and business administration degree,” Powell explained. “I think this is important because it allows the IT personnel to better understand the needs of the computer users.”

Powell said that she appreciated the opportunity the scholarship provided her to pursue both her academic and career ambitions.

“The Water Authority’s scholarship is significantly important to achieving my goals. Without this great opportunity I may not have had the chance to pursue the next major step of my tertiary education in order to fulfil my future career goals,” she said.

Water Authority director Dr Gelia Frederick-van Genderen said that the organisation was proud to support Powell.

“Enabling Caymanian students to pursue their educational goals is very important to the authority, particularly when it comes to the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” she said. “The water industry in particular relies on professionals from these fields and the authority is proud to support Ms. Powell’s educational and professional development. We wish her all the best as she pursues her bachelor’s degree.”

The authority will begin accepting applications for the 2017/18 scholarship early next year, with the deadline for applications 31 March 2017.