Published 25 October 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
This presentation came as a result of the department’s continued celebrations surrounding Caribbean Statistics Day, which is observed annually on October 15. The gesture is aimed at encouraging the recipient, as well as other students, to continue to pursue statistics and excel in the field.
“Today, we honour Ms. Zidane Knight for achieving the best results in Applied Mathematics in Unit One, and this brings me satisfaction knowing that when Director Carlton Phipps and myself would have been long gone that there would be others who are genuinely interested in carrying on the mantle of fulfilling one of the most important functions of any government,” said Elretha Simpson-Browne, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development.
She explained that the field of statistics is beneficial not just to the government, but also to the ordinary man and woman on the street.
“The collection, compilation and dissemination of credible data allows for the government to formulate policies that can aid the less fortunate… of society. It allows for businesses to take that extra risk, and the man on the street to make sound decisions in various aspects of life,” she added.
Carlton Phipps, Director of Statistics, said that the activity is geared towards encouraging students to focus on careers in Statistics.
“What we are hoping to do through this activity is to really produce the next generation of statisticians… and we are looking to you to be the next statisticians and economists of the future that would lead the office within the Ministry for the production and dissemination of official statistics,” said the director, while encouraging the students not to limit themselves by thinking that statistics is just about mathematics. “Statistics is not just about numbers, it has a wide scope. There is also data analysis. It is open, it is wide. Pursue your goals. Statistics is one area that should be of interest to you in terms of pursuing your career goals,” he added.
Director Phipps encouraged students to use the social media platforms of the department to do their research and gather information.
“We encourage you to utilize the website www.stats.gov.kn. We have also reactivated our Facebook page, so we are putting out as much information as possible so persons don’t have to come to our office anymore… because much of the information that is required, we have it right online.”
The award was initiated in 2018 by then-Senior Director of the Department of Statistics in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Gaile Gray-Phillip.
