EDUCATION Minister, Andrew Holness, last Monday urged recipients of the first ever Jamaica/Okanagan College scholarships to lift the Jamaican flag high during their time at the Canadian institution.

"When you leave here, you leave as ambassadors," Holness told the 16 scholarship recipients at the award ceremony held at the Hilton Kingston hotel. "When you graduate, your professors must say, 'Let us get some more Jamaicans because they worked and because they deserve it'."

Scholarship recipient Von Powell (right) collects his cheque from Education Minister Andrew Holness at the first ever Jamaica/Okanagan College awards. The occasion was the awards ceremony held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel last Monday. Powell was among the 16 Jamaican students who received scholarships to the Canadian institution. Looking on is Canadian deputy high commissioner, Robert Shaw. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

The students - selected from Brown's Town, Knox, and Portmore community colleges - will pursue courses in areas such as Human Resources, Business, and Hospitality Management.

The Can$17,000-scholarship will go towards airfare, insurance, and the cost of text books.

"I am really happy that I was chosen as one of the recipients," Portmore Community College student Von Powell told Career & Education. "I am getting a chance to expand in my career path, plus the business opportunities there are overwhelming. As I leave school I can get a job."

Powell, who will be studying Business Administration and Accounts, accepted his cheque amid cheers from his proud aunt Joan Blackwood.

Like the majority of the recipients, Powell's courses will last for three years. He is to leave for Canada on January 7.
Meanwhile, Professor Michael Patterson, director of International marketing and promotions at Okanagan College, said the students would be well received.

"Being a Jamaican, I feel proud to know that students from here will be able to represent our island abroad. There are a lot of opportunities, and Okanagan looks forward to them," he said.

The scholarships come as the Canadian government moves to strengthen ties with the Caribbean through education and employment.

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