PROCESS control engineer at Jamalco Kerri-Lee Chintersingh is a high achiever.

From a tender age, her drive to succeed has been overpowering. A straight ‘A’ student from primary school to university, Chintersingh would always strive to achieve the best and is a prime example of commitment and perseverance.

Intelligent, goal-oriented and charming, Chintersingh recently graduated from the University of Technology (UTech) with a first class honours degree in chemical engineering.

Not only did she graduate with the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in the entire university, but she received the Jamaica Institution of Engineers Most Outstanding Engineering Student Award, and was the only student to receive the President’s Pin in 2013 (an award presented to students with GPAs of 3.75 and above).

Chintersingh was also asked to be the valedictorian at this year’s graduation.

“I was extremely elated when I got the call. It is one of those dreams I wanted to fulfil. So when I got the news I started jumping up and down and was screaming at the top of my lungs. That capped all my other achievements,” she beamed.

During her tenure at UTech, she was fully integrated in campus life and serving as valedictorian gave her a chance to represent the students’ voice and to use the opportunity to inspire them and their families.

Although she was humbled by the experience, it was a dream come true.

“The highlight of the experience was hearing the cheers and seeing the signs of approval during the speech and the standing ovation I received at the end,” she recounted.

Although she says her tenure at UTech wasn’t an easy road, her drive to excel made life less difficult. She never accepted the norm and neither did she ever settle for a mere pass.

“I always strive for the highest marks and to make an impression, so from day one my goal was to get the President’s Pin and that’s why I have it,” Chintersingh said.

Although she confessed to not studying much, attending classes was a must.

“If I missed a class, it felt like the world passed me by because grasping concepts was paramount,” she explained.

Her secret to success was always formulating questions and seeking clarification during tutorials.

So dedicated was Chintersingh to her classes, that even after breaking her ankle while roller-skating, she was back at school the day after her surgery.

In addition to her formal studies, she found time to pursue a diploma course in Spanish and participated in an energy audit in conjunction with UTech. This audit was coordinated by the Latin America Energy Organisation and the Austrian Development Corporation. Only a few persons were recommended to participate and she welcomed the opportunity.

Chintersingh’s aim is to become a renowned chemical engineer who balances three key areas — research and development, industry and project management in her areas of interest: energy, systems engineering, environment and health.

“My long-term goals are centred on these areas and will be the primary focus of my master’s and PhD which I hope to complete before age 30,” she chuckled.

As an engineer, she says her goal is to make life better and to improve the standard of living for others.

“So whatever training I get at Jamalco to improve my skill set, optimise quality and production and minimise cost I will grasp with both hands,” she stressed.

Chintersingh spent her formative years at Highgate Primary & Junior High School and Ocho Rios Primary School before moving on to Westwood High School.

She admitted to gaining nearly 40 pounds during the first term.

“I just wasn’t adjusting. I don’t think I was ready to leave home at age 10,” she quipped.

So, after spending only one term at Westwood as form captain and honour roll student, she was transferred to Marymount High School where she quickly adjusted and served as form captain, head girl, president of the students’ council, president of Key Club and captain of the Schools’ Challenge Quiz team for two years. She was also involved in the performing arts, 4H club, and received several awards for speech and writing.

Chintersingh graduated with nine CSEC subjects with seven distinctions and two credits.

She moved on to Moneague Community College to pursue her CAPE subjects. Although there were restrictions with the number of subjects that could be done, Chintersingh decided to do all the science subjects.

“My lecturers were concerned about the workload but I did well — eight distinctions, one credit and one pass,” she said.

It was during her tenure at Moneague that she cemented her decision to do chemical engineering.

A team of eight students decided to participate in the JPS Science & Technology Expo where they produced biodiesel from castor seeds. The team received the first place prize for Western Jamaica, Chintersingh received the Best Female Presenter award and the school also got a cash prize to strengthen the science laboratory.

“The process was enlightening and it was then I realised the scope of chemical engineering is endless and I became fascinated,” she said.

Chintersingh’s desire may have been to decorate her transcript with A’s in an effort to maintain the GPA so she could keep the bursary from Grace Kennedy Foundation and re-apply for the scholarship which she eventually got in third year, but she’s far from just a bookworm.

She believes that living a balanced and holistic life is important so she immersed herself in various activities that allowed her to interact with others.

“This is the very reason I partied, engaged in various extra-curricular activities (football, cheerleading and various clubs including launching the UTECH-JIE Student Chapter in 2012), served in various leadership capacities while still finding time to get involved in several outreach projects at school,” she noted.

For Chintersingh, touching the lives of others was paramount and her outreach activities, love and passion for others won many kudos and awards at UTech.

She was asked to represent the university at an international conference in the United States and was also elected to address students on the importance of community service during orientation sessions at school.

Of significance to her was the homework project in Trench Town where she gave quality time mentoring and assisting children.

Her advice to youngsters is to “find mentors and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Identify your passions and sharpen up your leadership skills. Remember to always do your personal best and set your standards high”.