Some of us are already familiar with the name of St Nicholas University, School of Veterinary Medicine, a recently opened academic institution educating future veterinary Doctors from Dominica and other Caribbean islands. However, there are other less known aspects of its activity worth highlighting.
The university is regularly sponsoring the St Nicholas Animal Rescue, a non-profit group helping injured and sick animals around Dominica. While the University is rather new and still not working at its full capacity, this is one of the ways the University is supporting our local community.
The University is also extending its helpful hand in other forms. Just to help kick off another school year. The University donated over $25,000 EC to the Clara Montessori Center Of Education in Roseau – a progressive school preparing young children for a fine education. The donation, in form of cash, an air-conditioning system, and a new school sign, has been received by the school’s management with gratitude.
Asked about this donation, St Nicholas University president, Dr. Golnaz Naderkhani said: “It comes in accordance with my philosophy, and that of our university. It’s been my life dream to help make education available to many, not just a select few. We try hard to make our studies affordable to many Caribbean students who wouldn’t otherwise afford it in other similar institutions. And so, it is only natural to share our humble resources with another educational institution. While we are educating future Veterinary Doctors, pre-school and elementary education is very important, as it gives a fair start into the life of our children. It was just one of these moments when one notices there is an opportunity to help and makes a spur-of-the-moment decision. We are happy to be in Dominica,
grateful for much-needed support coming from various institutions and individuals alike. This donation is our way of giving back to the community.”
Those who know Dr Naderkhani and her volunteering efforts to help people and animals in need, will not find this gesture surprising. She personally is very actively involved in helping the homeless and institutions that help such people by making monetary donations as well as donations in the form of food, clothes and medicine. “We have the community at our heart at St. Nicholas University” – said Dr Naderkhani. “Our team and students even helped out with the distribution of food to the homeless during lockdown afternoons and weekends due to COVID-19.”
The university, its management and a team of Professors coming from Dominica and abroad, are actively involved in further expansion of services to support our community. While these plans are ambitious and exciting, it is too early to disclose them as of now. We could perhaps just say that these are a sign of long-term commitment to partnering and assisting Dominica on several different levels.
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