Two SALCC students, Sherissa St. Marie and Samaki Daniel, were invited to attend the OECS Global Investment Summit, held from May 28 to 30, 2025, at the Royalton Resort in Saint Lucia.

The event aimed to connect regional and international investors, policymakers, and industry leaders who are driving sustainable growth across the Eastern Caribbean. Understanding the role that educational institutions play in this entrepreneurial development, SALCC was invited to send two student representatives. These students were fully sponsored by the Bank of St. Lucia Fund Management Company.

Sherissa St. Marie, a Sustainable Business and Innovation student, is the owner of The Floral Oasis, launched in March 2024. Her business specializes in elegant eternal flower arrangements. Samaki Daniel, a nursing student, is the owner of a small retail business which he is in the process of registering.

“My experience was amazing and filled with learning,” said Daniel.

I learnt that with the right encouragement, even the tiniest ambitions can blossom into magnificent realities. I sincerely appreciated this opportunity and can't wait to see where my business, The Floral Oasis, goes on from here. — Sherissa St. Marie, SBI student at SALCC

Sherissa and Samaki were accompanied by Business lecturer, Jacqueline Charlemagne, who expressed amazement at the number of SALCC alumni on the organizing committee of the summit;

For me, this signifies the urgency for financial education and investment curriculum in institutions such as the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

My hope is that the College becomes part of this movement in educating students on financial literacy and investment options, foster financial independence, promote early investing and most importantly assist students in avoiding financial mistakes and pitfalls particularly in light of the recent investment scam which affected some of our students. — Jacqueline Charlemagne, Business Lecturer at SALCC

The summit served as a great platform for our students to explore investment opportunities, engage in high-level financial discussions and expand their business networks. It also provided them the opportunity to engage with SALCC alumni who made up a significant portion of the organizing committee for this event.

Beckles and Regis Consultancy, in collaboration with the Bank of St. Lucia, also presented our students with personal investments of $500 US each. The students are required to maintain this investment for a duration of 5 years and a BOSL financial advisor will provide guidance on monitoring and growing their investment.

The College would like to congratulate the OGIS team for organising this inaugural investment forum and thank them for this opportunity for our students, as well as Beckles and Regis Consultancy for their investment in these two entrepreneurs.