Student Development Gets $10 Million Boost from CB Group UWI 5K Run/WalkKingston, Jamaica; UWI student development is set to gain an immense push following the second successful staging of the CB Group UWI 5K Run Walk, held on Sunday November 17. CB Group COO Mathew Lyn presented the cheque valued at $10 Million on Thursday, December 19 to Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, Deputy Principal, Mona Campus.
 
The profits will go toward scholarships for students who demonstrate outstanding ability in sports and academics. The event has now raised $28 Million in two years following the record breaking $18 Million raised from the inaugural staging in 2012.
 
The proceeds from the inaugural staging provided 20 academic and sports scholarships to young men and women in first and second year at the University of The West Indies. This year’s gains will go directly into the continuation of that scholarship fund by increasing the pool of recipients said Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement Division at UWI.
 
The CB Group UWI 5K was the brainchild of  Dr. the Honourable Douglas Orane, OJ, Dr. the Honourable Michael Lee-Chin OJ and Dr. the Honourable G. Raymond Chang OJ, all Honorary Graduates of UWI, as a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Jamaica’s independence.  CB Group generously offered their support and have committed to doing so for three years from 2012. “CB Group’s involvement is just an example of how corporate Jamaica can offer aid to tertiary education and consequently, national development”, said Mr Lyn.
 
This year’s staging also saw the introduction of a unique feature, as Island Grill stepped up to sponsor a Children’s 2K which was thoroughly enjoyed by the children in attendance and their families. The CB Group UWI 5K with this added element has been touted as a family event and indeed brought out several households with multiple generations participating in the event.
 
The CB Group UWI 5K Run Walk’s second staging was held on Sunday November 17 and the event managed to continue the trend of generating funds toward student development. Over the two short years the CB Group UWI 5K has garnered immense support from the University community. Students, Faculty and halls along with several alumni members have all rallied to support the event through participation, volunteerism and donations.  For the past two years CB Group has won the award for most participants.