JWN Foundation doubles tertiary scholarships for 2018

The J. Wray & Nephew (JWN) Foundation (JWNF) has fortified its commitment to the academic advancement of the nation's youth

by doubling its allocation of tertiary-level scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year, moving the numbers from 10 to 20.

As a consequence of the increase, money disbursed to cover scholarships has swelled vastly from $3.865 million in 2017 to $8.25 million.

Accounted for in this budget are five full scholarship

awards valued at $450,000 and 15 tertiary grants valued

at $200,000 each, up from $180,000 in 2017 and 2016. For the latter, five grants will

be allocated to each JWN operations site.

Included in the five premium scholarships are three Joy Spence Master Blender Awards. This award was introduced in 2017 for students pursuing studies in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"The Joy Spence Master Blenders Awards pay homage to an incredible scientist and also recognises the considerable value and pioneering impact that science, technology, engineering and mathematics often yields. The JWN Foundation, through earmarking not one, but three full scholarships in this area, hopes to encourage participation by the students in its communities," noted JWNF Director Tanikie McClarthy Allen.

"One Master Blender Scholarship will be awarded to

a successful recipient in

each of our JWN Foundation communities of Kingston, New Yarmouth and Appleton Estate, moving us towards fulfilment of our mantra of transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica."

EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SOCIAL INCLUSION

The two other full bursaries represent a collaboration with the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) and have been named in honour of the Caribbean Maritime University's first president, Fritz Pinnock. The ACMF and the JWNF will equally share the responsibility of furnishing both scholarships, which are tenable at the Caribbean Maritime University.

Added to the 20 at the tertiary-level are 80 secondary-level scholarships, which bring to 100 the total bursaries available for JWNF communities. The lion's share goes to Kingston, with a total of 35 bursaries, while 25 have been set aside for St Elizabeth and 20 for Clarendon, each at a value

of $25,000.

The JWN Foundation operates under three pillars - education, culture and social inclusion - and focuses its attention in areas surrounding its business operations at Spanish Town Road in Kingston; New Yarmouth in Clarendon and Appleton Estate in St Elizabeth.

Since its inception in 2012, the JWNF has awarded over $35 million to students within its communities, assisting them to complete their education. This reaffirms a commitment to positively shape lives through educational development and the promise of a better future for the next leaders of the country.