Funding their higher education was a concern for students even before covid19. Now, with the pandemic restricting the ways money can be earned, postgraduate students, Kory Mendez and Anton Williams have teamed up to earn funds for their postgraduate studies at UWI.

Both want to follow careers in fields they perceive as being beneficial to the future development of Trinidad and Tobago. They will put on a fundraising concert, as they have both made names for themselves in the classical and choral music fields.

Mendez, a lifelong Maraval resident, is doing an MSc in mediation studies. He said he chose this area because he works in insurance.

[caption id="attachment_922153" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Tenor Kory Mendez is pursuing an MSc in mediation studies at the UWI. Mendez and Antopn Williams are holding a concert to raise funds for postgraduate studies. -[/caption]

“Mediation is a process where trained, neutral persons, in a confidential setting, facilitate the negotiations of parties in dispute to help them arrive at their own resolutions to the dispute. My intention is to become a certified mediator and provide consultancy services to insurance companies to revolutionise how we deal with claims settlements. Motor-claim disputes are never-ending, and if insurance companies and disputants can find a meaningful way of settling disputes where they can mutually benefit in the long run, it is a win-win for everyone.”

He said the mediation field is beneficial to TT, as it can “potentially reduce the backlog in the court system as well as maintain a positive relationship between the disputing parties.”

Williams, 23, born and raised in Arouca, is doing postgraduate studies in tourism development and management, and said tourism has always been a second love for him.

“Seeing that the tourism and creative sector were the most severely affected by the pandemic, all hands will be required on deck on the revitalisation of these areas. As identified in the draft of the National Tourism Policy of TT 2020-2030, there is a drive to create and support major national events to generate tourism growth.”

He said TT can tap into its wealth of creative resources and start to build areas such as cultural and entertainment tourism.’“An example I always use is Carifesta XIV, as the creativity that was on display left visitors in awe. From the layout and design of the village in the Queen’s Park Savannah to the various events hosted throughout the festival, it goes to show that we have a strong cultural and creative product that should be thrust to the forefront.”

Both men said the pandemic had affected the way they attended school and took exams, especially with the switch to a virtual learning environment.

Mendez said his main challenge was adapting to online/distance learning, especially navigating the technology, and learning the etiquette of an online environment.

[caption id="attachment_922154" align="alignnone" width="731"] Kory Mendez has won multiple trophies in Music Festival. He has performed with the

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