THE Jamaica Observer on Friday became the first benefactor of a scholarship fund at the University of Technology (UTech) in honour of Dr George Phillip.

Dr Phillip was a former executive director of Sandal’s Resorts International and a founding director of the Jamaica Observer. He died on March 31, 2007 at age 69 after having battled prostate cancer for eight years.

“I am happy that a scholarship fund has been created in his honour and that Jamaica Observer has made the first donation,” Dr Phillip’s widow Janette said, after accepting the cheque for $50,000 on behalf of the UTech Educational Foundation, which will administer the scholarship.

The presentation was made by Observer CEO Edward Khoury at the newspaper’s Beechwood Avenue offices in St Andrew.

The first scholarship from the fund will be disbursed at the start of the coming academic year and will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in business administration.

Mrs Phillip said it was fitting that UTech and the Observer were partnering in the initiative given her late husband’s role in both institutions.

“I am elated about this joint effort between the UTech Educational Foundation and Jamaica Observer. George was very much involved in UTech and he was very instrumental in the changeover of the technical college into the university,” she said.

She told the Observer that she has suggested that the fund be named the George Phillip Memorial Scholarship Fund, but said no decision has yet been made.

Dr Alfred Sangster, founder of the UTech Educational Foundation, was also present at Friday’s handover. He, too, was grateful for the donation and said the initiative was a great investment made.

“The scholarship that has started now through Mrs Phillip’s initiative is going to be the start of a capital fund. The $50,000 that (she) will present to the institution is going to be invested in capital items,” he said.

The UTech Educational Fund will provide additional funding to support the new scholarship fund.