Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is celebrating a proud family milestone after her only son, Kris Shiva Bissessar, graduated with a law degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI), following a career path strikingly similar to her own.
The occasion was a double celebration for the Prime Minister, as her niece, Divya Maraj, also graduated during the ceremony at the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre in St Augustine.
Speaking to reporters, Persad-Bissessar expressed her happiness at seeing her son enter the field of law, a profession she has long been associated with.
“I’m very proud. He has joined my profession,” she declared, describing law as one of the best professions in the world.
The Prime Minister revealed that her son’s journey closely mirrors hers. Like his mother, Kris Shiva first pursued a degree in education and worked as a teacher before deciding to study law.
For Bissessar, the decision to change careers was driven by his professional ambitions. He explained that he believed law would better suit his future goals.
He also credited his mother’s encouragement and guidance for helping him navigate the demands of university life.
While acknowledging that managing his study time was among his greatest challenges, Bissessar said he combined advice from his mother with his own learning techniques to develop an effective approach.
Beyond the family’s celebrations, Persad-Bissessar used the occasion to encourage young people across Trinidad and Tobago to pursue education as a means of improving their circumstances.
She emphasised that education remains one of the most important tools for escaping poverty and urged students to continue learning throughout their lives.
The graduation ceremony also featured an address from valedictorian Karissa Lacaille, who graduated with first-class honours. She encouraged her fellow graduates to combine their academic achievements with strong character and a commitment to justice.
Other graduates included Jonathan Nanton, son of the late journalist and teacher Joel Nanton, and Tafawa Pierre, son of Grenada’s Opposition Leader Emmalin Pierre.
For the Prime Minister, however, the occasion carried special personal significance, marking not only her son’s academic achievement but also the continuation of a family journey from teaching into law.