Meet the Lecturer: Mr. Timothy Affonso
Can you briefly outline |
your academic path from |
law |
school |
to |
your |
current |
position |
here |
today? |
|
|
I did my degree at UWI and then went on to Hugh Wooding Law School. After law school I went to the DPP’ s office where I practiced for a little under two years doing court work and criminal law. I then applied for the Chevening scholarship which was advertised by the British Embassy. I worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a couple months until I found out I got the scholarship. I then went to London and did a Masters in Public Law and Human Rights at the University College, London. When I returned I got a job at the Attorney General’ s Office in Central Authority, where I was doing extraditions and mutual assistance. After Central Authority, I went to Hugh
Meet the Lecturer: Mr. Timothy Affonso
with Clay Hackett and Nura Ali
Wooding Law School where I was teaching International Law and Mooting. I then left there and came here.
What was your biggest challenge as a student and how did you overcome it?
Many students in my year |
were unable to finish their |
degrees |
for |
various |
reasons. |
One does |
not |
succeed |
because |
they |
didn’ t have obstacles, one |
succeeds |
despite |
those |
obstacles. I don’ t wish to |
specify |
any |
particular |
issues that I had, but I had |
usual |
concerns |
that |
students have. |
How has your international experience impacted on you and your career?
I would always suggest doing post-grad work in another institution other than the one you did your undergraduate degree since international exposure is a phenomenal way to round off your academic training.
How has your experience as a lecturer been in this transitional period?
The facilities don’ t really cater for a modern day type situation to learn but I appreciate the fact that we have a new lecture theatre and they’ re trying to expand the computer lab and give some more computers.
Do you think the St. Augustine Attorneys of 2015 will be any different than those who went to Cave Hill?
They would have alot more Trinidadian friends!( laughs) I don’ t think anyone is going to be at a greater advantage than the other person.
How do you think the law |
society |
can |
aid |
in |
fostering |
a |
sense |
of |
regionalism |
among |
students? |
We are in the age of technology and so they’ re bonds that can be formed through Cave Hill and St. Augustine Facebook groups. That is something we didn’ t have.
Did you always want to be an attorney at law and a lecturer?
I always wanted to do law but I can’ t say I always knew I wanted to teach. At all my various lines of work; office work,
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