-aims to change finance landscape upon return

DEVICA Uditram has been selected as a 2026/2027 Chevening Scholarship awardee, joining more than 100 Guyanese who have been awarded the scholarship since the programme began in the 1980s.

Ms. Uditram will be pursuing her master’s in finance and data analytics at Birbeck, University of London.

In an exclusive interview, Uditram, who is presently employed at the Ministry of Finance as an Economic and Financial Analyst, told this publication that she has a bachelor’s degree in finance, along with more than a decade of work experience in the commercial banking sector.

She explained that she was inspired to move beyond just understanding economic and financial issues in Guyana and instead, use financial data to address those developmental challenges around us. This is mostly regarding poverty reduction and financial inclusion.

Uditram explained that her aim is to strengthen her ability to use data to identify patterns, and gaps that may not always be visible: “For example, to understand which communities in the rural areas may be left behind financially. What are the barriers that exist that prevent people from accessing or benefitting from the formal financial system, and how data is very important for policy making? Without data, you know, we can’t have policymaking. We can’t have decision-making. So, data is very important to craft policies that impact the citizens of Guyana.”

The application process for Chevening is a lengthy one, lasting several months. Uditram successfully submitted that application in October 2025 and received her results in June this year.

Recalling the day she received the exciting news, Uditram shared that she received an email on June 19, 2026, at 06:00hrs, and immediately felt a mix of emotions upon opening it and reading that she had been selected as a Chevening scholar.

“I was so happy, elated because this is something I worked hard for. This is not my first attempt at Chevening, and it is a very competitive scholarship. So, to be considered and to actually receive the scholarship is truly, truly exciting. I was so excited, I felt a sense of relief as well because after so many months of preparation and trepidation and just anxiety and of course prayers, praying so much, to know that all my hard work was finally led up to this moment, and of course, there’s a bit of tears,” she expressed.

London is the world’s second largest financial hub, which means Uditram will not only have the opportunity to study at the prestigious University of London, but she will be able to study in a financial centre that immerses her in a global financial ecosystem.

She related that being exposed to that environment, along with the opportunity to study will certainly enrich her experiences as a student at Birbeck.

“I will be able to attend networking events, learn from professionals, and gain global perspectives, which I can bring back to Guyana, so it’s that is one of the reasons why I chose Birbeck. Birbeck also has a very diverse student body,” she said adding, “They attract students from approximately 140 countries every year so that is going to help me with my international student experience, gaining insights from persons from all over the world, and to enhance my experience culturally as well. And the very last reason, it has a very flexible timetable.”

Asked what she is most excited for in this new journey, the scholar shared that she is looking forward to immersing herself in what her new environment will have to offer her.

Already in contact with the university, Uditram has plans to be an active student within the Birbeck community.

The school, she said, has an inactive club called The Economics and Finance Society. Her goal is to revive that club, an initiative she has already discussed with individuals at the university.

Presently, Uditram an active volunteer, is the founder of the Literary Coven GY Book Club, and is also the Mission ShakhtiSAT’s Ambassador to Guyana. She is passionate about development of youths in various programmes, an opportunity that she says allowed her to showcase her skills in leadership.