Nine Jamaican nationals were recently awarded scholarships valued at a total of US$ 77,500 to study at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. The students enrolled in the Faculties of Pure and Applied Science, Medical Sciences and Social Sciences, are Anne Teresa Birthwright, Mele-a Campbell, Amoako St. Patrick Evans, Felisha Henry, Shanique Sterling, Samantha Christie, Shaneek Findlay, Adrian Stephens and Pettia Gay Williams.

Former Deputy Head Boy at St. Jago High School, 20-year old Amoaka St. Patrick Evans, who is one of the only two male scholarship winners, says that this scholarship will help him fulfill his “desire to be an inspiration in the field of medicine to other young people especially the males throughout the Jamaican society

The scholarships were awarded through the UWI Regional Endowment Fund (UWIREF) which was officially launched in July 2008 as part of the University’s 60th Anniversary celebrations. The UWIREF provides the opportunity for international and regional donors to collaborate with the University to give meaningful support to its undergraduate and graduate students, research and other developmental projects.

The Jamaican scholarship winners celebrate with 10 other counterparts spread across the Caribbean. The other beneficiaries of UWIREF 2009/2010 scholarships are Jennifer Mofford and Amelia Rouse of Barbados; Corazon Durand of Dominica; Androy Emery and Keiran Prescott-Joseph of St. Lucia; Malissa Cornwall, Melissa De Freitas and Valdene Jack  of St. Vincent and Candice Myers and Lauralee Samaroo of Trinidad & Tobago.

These students made history as the first recipients of awards from this Endowment Fund and were selected on the basis of merit and financial need. The 2009/2010 UWIREF Scholarships were funded through the collaborative efforts of UWI and its partners including: RBTT, Sir George and Lady Sylvan Alleyne, Dame Bernice Lake, Maud Fuller, the late Roydell Lawrence and the late Professor Pamela Rodgers-Johnson.

Announcing the UWIREF awards, UWI Vice Chancellor, Professor E Nigel Harris stated: “In its sixty years, The University of the West Indies has evolved into an institution that has the capacity to make tangible contributions to the lives of its own. This scholarship investment toward molding bright, young, Caribbean minds testifies to UWI’s commitment to the development of its students, the region and the world.”
Vice Chancellor Harris will host a presentation ceremony for the Jamaican scholars on August 31, 2009 at the Mona Campus. Similar ceremonies are also planned at the Cave Hill and St. Augustine Campuses, at dates to be announced.

Further information on the UWIREF may be obtained from Mrs. Beverly Hunter, Outreach and Student Alumni Officer, Institutional Advancement Division, Office of the Vice Chancellor, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica Tel: (876) 977 6065, (876) 977 0052, Fax: (876) 977 7525
E-mail: beverly.hunter@alumni.uwi.edu