Three Dominican nationals have been selected for the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for the year 2025. Whitney Mélinard, Christianna Paul, and Austine Bell will pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom under the UK government’s global scholarship programme.
Whitney Mélinard, an Indigenous advocate from the Kalinago Territory, will pursue a Master of Science in Policy Research at the University of Bristol. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Relations with Sociology from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus.
Mélinard is the President of Kopounoule Inc., soon to be rebranded as the Philz Foundation, a youth- and Indigenous-led organization focused on social and climate justice. Her work centers on intersectional advocacy, climate resilience, and human rights.
Austin Bell, an economist and financial professional, will study for a Master of Science in Finance and Economics at the University of Warwick. He earned his BSc in Economics and Finance from UWI Cave Hill, where he also served as President of the Dominica Student Association.
Currently employed at the Central Bank of Barbados, Bell conducts research on regional economic challenges. His academic and professional pursuits are aimed at improving economic outcomes for Dominica and the wider Caribbean.
Christianna Paul will pursue a Master of Science in Project Management and Innovation at the University of Strathclyde. She holds a BSc in Entrepreneurship from UWI and is the founder of WePlanet Inc., a non-profit promoting eco-conscious living through incentive-based solutions.
Paul has served as Evaluation and Partnerships Manager at Island Impact Ltd., supporting grassroots organizations in strategic planning and project development. Her accolades include being a One Young World Ambassador (2024), a Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation Award winner (2023), and a participant in multiple international youth forums.
The Chevening Scholarship enables emerging leaders from around the world to study in the UK and build global networks. The selection of Mélinard, Bell, and Paul highlights Dominica’s growing presence in international academic and advocacy circles.
