By Admin. Updated 2:39 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Mr Khori Browne, a Vincentian national, has successfully completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of Germany’s foremost universities.
Browne, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Technology (UTECH) in Jamaica several years ago, described the achievement of his master’s degree as “an amazing feeling. After working so hard for such a long time, it feels good to achieve the goal you set out to achieve.”
The adventurous and academically gifted young man, whose father, Mr Franklyn Browne, is a well-known quantity surveyor, and mother, Villette Browne, a businesswoman, shared that his favourite quote is “Do what you can’t”.
His younger brother Mr. Khyle Browne is also a trained quantity surveyor and technology enthusiast.
Speaking to One News SVG, Mr. Khori Browne outlined his vision for civil engineering in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). “I would like to see an improvement in the maintenance of our infrastructure. Building new structures and upgrading existing ones are important, but without proper maintenance, the initial investment disappears,” he said. He added, “As a developing nation, we’re doing a lot of catching up to countries that have a 200+ year head start and significantly deeper pockets than we do; therefore, we have to manage and take care of what we have.”
Mr Browne, who enjoys snowboarding in winter and hiking in summer, described his experience studying in Germany, including the focus of his thesis. “My thesis focused on the structural reliability index in the Eurocode. The main objective was to determine whether the structural reliability index following Eurocode design is close to the ‘truth’. In the Eurocode, the target reliability index influences the safety factor, consequently affecting the amount of material required.”
He also shared a challenge he faced as a Vincentian in Germany: “The hardest thing, I would say, is that there are not many of us here, so I tend to have difficulties when my home country is required. At one point, I received an ID that said Grenada because they mixed up the countries.”
When asked about a moment during his studies when he felt overwhelmed or doubted himself, and what motivated him to persevere, he said: “My first semester here was particularly difficult; adapting to the new education system and culture while being the only person from my country took a while. The education system in Germany was completely different from what I was used to and I didn’t know anyone who could guide me or offer suggestions. My motivation came from my desire to have a master’s degree.”
On whether a particular project or experience during his MSc changed his perspective on engineering’s role in society, Mr Browne responded: “Not a particular course, but the overall setup of the MSc at TUM. There are 21 specialisations in the civil engineering MSc, all focusing on niche branches. This large variety shows that civil engineering isn’t only about construction; it contributes to society in many more ways, such as potable water supply, traffic control and planning, and sustainable energy supply.”
He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his family to support his education: “My family supported me financially and emotionally while I was here. Whenever I called, my parents would answer and listen to my stressful moments. That’s a good question. I will honour these sacrifices by taking everything to the next level. The goal should always be to improve on what parents were able to achieve.”
Mr Browne said his journey has provided him with experiences that have opened his eyes to opportunities that he believes will improve the quality of life for the average Vincentian.
He expressed hope that his achievement will inspire young Vincentians, especially those who dream of studying abroad or pursuing STEM fields. “I hope that I can inspire young Vincentians to consider other regions besides the usual USA, Canada, and UK. These regions are good; however, the experience of studying in a country where English is not the first language or has a completely different culture contributes to the overall educational experience. A wise man once told me not to get a certificate but to get an education. Now that I am finished, I completely understand and agree with him.”
Finally, when asked what advice he would give his younger self upon deciding to pursue civil engineering, knowing the emotional highs and lows he would face, he replied: “Try as many new things as you can and learn as much as you can. Education is priceless and experiences, good and bad, will shape you. Failure is only bad when you don’t learn from it and everyone is on their own timeline, so never compare yourself to someone else because you only know what they show you.”
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