Hamilton, Ontario, Canada – May 24, 2024 – McMaster University proudly announces the latest recipient of the Nicholas and Janice Brathwaite Award, Pryla Pamphile, hailing from the vibrant island nation of Dominica. This distinguished biennial undergraduate award recognizes exceptional academic achievement, community leadership, and commitment to societal advancement.
The Nicholas and Janice Brathwaite Award, generously established by the PETNA Foundation, celebrates outstanding scholars from the Caribbean region and provides them with the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in any level one undergraduate program at McMaster University.
“My wife, Janice, and I started the PETNA Foundation as a way of honouring my parents. Thanks to McMaster University, my alma mater, for supporting this initiative. Together we are helping young people achieve their dreams of leveraging education to change the trajectory of their lives so that they too can impact the lives of others,” said Dr. Nicholas Brathwaite (BSCH ’82; LL. D ’18). The award was established in 2012 by Dr. Brathwaite and his wife Janice and has supported eight students from the Caribbean to attend McMaster University.
Pamphile, one of the newest entrants to McMaster’s Class of 2029, aspired to pursue a STEM-related career at an early age after witnessing a friend pass away from an untreated heart condition. She plans on leveraging her Bachelor of Technology degree to impact her community and the world, sharing, “I dream of revolutionizing the process of organ transplants, where rather than waiting lengthy periods, hoping to find a match, patients can receive organs specifically made for them with little to no risk of organ rejection.”
Outside of her academic commitments, Pamphile served as president of the Perpetual Help Program at her school, stating, “this allowed me to be of service to my fellow students by cooking meals for less fortunate students, and to hone my problem-solving skills.” Pamphile also implemented a Big Sister Program, pairing senior students with incoming juniors to ease their transition from primary school into secondary school. In recent months, Pamphile served as co-coordinator for the Girl Power Club via her employer, which works to empower young girls to be more independent, and fearlessly take on jobs in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Born in St. Lucia, the Dominica resident expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “this is a monumental opportunity for me to receive a world-class education and propel myself into a successful career. I know my future career goals can be attained through being afforded excellent networking, research, and co-op opportunities.”
“Following a competitive selection process with applicants from ten CARICOM-member states, we are thrilled to join the PETNA Foundation in honouring Pryla Pamphile with the Nicholas and Janice Brathwaite Award” said Andy Moonsammy, McMaster’s Guyana-born international recruitment representative responsible for supporting applicants throughout the Caribbean region. “Pryla’s
commitment to innovation, community service and excellence, exemplifies the values upheld by McMaster University and the PETNA Foundation.”
McMaster University congratulates Pryla Pamphile on her remarkable achievements and welcomes her to its entering undergraduate cohort of 2024.
About McMaster University:
McMaster University is a globally renowned institution of higher learning and research dedicated to fostering innovation, excellence, and diversity in education. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, McMaster is committed to creating a vibrant and inclusive community of scholars, researchers, and students.
In 2024, McMaster University is currently the lead Canadian partner of the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI). Currently made up of 12 member institutions, the CCI supports research on a range of key policy areas including health; climate change; advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals; trade and investment; Caribbean culture and the diaspora; and government and foreign relations, among other areas.
