RUNAWAY BAY, St Ann — Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners (NJBP) has offered financial assistance to some 86 students from its operational areas in St Ann, who are pursuing studies at the tertiary level.

The scholarships were awarded last Thursday during a ceremony at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay where several of the recipients expressed gratitude for the assistance received and which they say will help to cushion the financial burden, especially on their parents.

“I was just telling my colleagues at the table how difficult it is to come up with all the fees and so I am just really happy and I’m feeling really good,” first-time recipient and third year student at the University of Technology (UTECH), Fabian Phillips shared with the Jamaica Observer North East.

Phillips was one of about 40 university students who received $60,000 each to assist with tuition fees or other expenses associated with their studies. Students studying at the college level were each awarded $50,000.

“I’m feeling really good because this is a good percentage of my school fee and I really just want to tell Noranda Jamaica Bauxite a big thank you,” the well-mannered Phillips, who is reading for his accounting degree, added.

According to president of NJBP, Pansy Johnson, the awardees have been given something that most Jamaicans have not had the privilege to access and she encouraged them to make the very best use of the opportunity.

“This privilege carries with it certain expectations. The expectations from your parents, families, communities and I am sure you have set expectations for yourselves,” Johnson said, as she encouraged the recipients to continue to work towards becoming vital, successful, contributing citizens of Jamaica.

The awardees were also encouraged by special advisor to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Dr Carlton Davis, who in his address, urged the students to take the fundamentals of their studies seriously.

“Take your work seriously, it’s very easy to get distracted, please enjoy yourself (at college) but do not get distracted from the main event,” he said. He explained further that there can be a lot of distractions, but urged them to remain focused as the country is going to need more trained people.

According to Davis, about 74 per cent of the country’s work-force has received no formal training and as such, the students who Noranda has offered to help are among the privileged. He further encouraged them to work to help change those statistics.

The students were also challenged by the Member of Parliament for North West St Ann, Dr Dayton Campbell who told the group that education is the only legitimate way for upward social mobility.

He also commended NJBP for its commitment to education and the wider development of the parish through several other areas.

Ronnette Edwards, a third year medical student at the University of West Indies, Mona, told the Observer North East that the assistance provided by Noranda was greatly appreciated.

“I am very happy that I have received this, it will definitely make a difference,” added Edwards a former student of Westwood High who hails from Higgin Land in the parish.

One parent, Alberta Palmer, whose son Keino Thompson is studying civil engineering at UTECH was overjoyed.

“I’m really happy for him, it’s really difficult to send him to school,” the proud mother said, adding that she has struggled through the years to send Thompson to Knox College and later Munroe College.

“Sometimes I have to walk and beg here and beg there but he’s a brilliant child, he has always done well,” the Kensington resident added.

The bauxite company said in addition to the assistance it has provided to the tertiary level students, it will soon award 10 students its Jamaica 50 scholarships.

Five of the scholarships, each valued at $250,000 will be awarded to university students, while five college students will each be awarded $150,000.

– Alesia Edwards

Captions

Noarnda1 – Third year medical student at the University of West Indies, Mona, Ronette Edwards accepts her award from special advisor to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Dr Carlton Davis.

Noarnda2 – Principal of Brown’s Town High, Johnallson Feraria (right) speaks with three of his past students who have received financial assistance from Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners to pursue tertiary studies. From left is Fabian Phillips, (UTECH) Jacqueline Lawrence, (MICO University) and Rasheed Smith (Caribbean Maritime Institute)

(Photos: Alesia Edwards)