Iyka Dorival, a former Convent High School student, and Lead Institute graduate,

Is blazing a trail at the University of the West Indies (UWI).  She is a final year law student at Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, pursuing her Bachelor of Law degree. 

Ms. Dorival exemplifies the very essence of an all-round student.  She believes that “balance is not only essential in ensuring the efficient functioning of various ambits of society but is also essential in the holistic development of any individual”.  

Throughout her time at UWI, Dorival served as the Secretary of the Dominica Students Association at Cave Hill for the academic year 2019/2020. She then contested and won the elected position of Sir Philip Sherlock Hall Chairperson, becoming the first woman and Dominican to ever hold the post since the hall’s inauguration in 1971. She also served as this hall’s representative on the Guild of Students, as well as the Constitutional Chairperson of the UWI Debate Society. Moreover, Dorival was the Vice President of Membership for the UWI STAT Vice Chancellor’s Ambassadors and was appointed the Official Convener for the Commonwealth of Dominica for the organization, Global Peace. 

Last year, Dorival co-founded a non-governmental organization dubbed “The Unmasked 7” with six other promising law students (three of whom are also alumna of the Lead Institute) which provides legal and socioeconomic education of topical issues plaguing the region. She also founded her own blog, “Dori’s Daily” as she believes it to be “a small avenue for motivating and inspiring others through the myriad of challenges life may throw their way”. 

Apart from juggling so many responsibilities Dorival has managed to maintain strong academic standing which led her to be awarded a First Caribbean International Bank Scholarship for academic excellence last year. She has also been awarded the “Most Outstanding Dominican Student” at the University of the West Indies by the Dominican Students Association for her exemplary academic and extra-curricular performance. 

Dorival credits the Lead Institute for laying a solid foundation toward her future. “The CAPE Associate’s Degree in Law, in particular, was instrumental in sensitising me to the basics of Caribbean law and jurisprudence which placed me at an advantage when entering the LLB program. Lead Institute afforded me the opportunity to jumpstart my love for law, and for that I will be forever grateful”, she said.

Dorival is set to begin pursuing her Legal Education Certificate in September.