FIVE Jamaicans have been awarded scholarships under the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus programme for 2014.

The recipients were honoured at a farewell reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus. The list includes four graduates, who will pursue advanced degrees, including one doctoral student, who was previously awarded a scholarship under the same programme to pursue her master’s study.

The fifth recipient is an administrative staff member from the University of the West Indies, who will participate in a staff exchange programme, which helps to facilitate the development of services offered at the participating institution.

The recipients and their area of interest are listed below.

1 Terica Racquel Sinclair, Doctorate in Membrane Engineering, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain

2 Renee English, Master in Membrane Engineering, Université Montpellier 2 Sciences et Techniques, France,

3 Anthony Hugh Jaganaught, Master of Science in International Cooperation and Urban Development, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany.

4 Kenique Ivery, Master in Finance at Universidade do Porto, Portugal.

5 Javion Hall selected to undertake an administrative staff mobility period in the Academic Services of the Università degli studi di Cagliari. The period of exchange is one month.

In the framework of the programme it is possible for students to study at different universities.

Erasmus Mundus, the EU’s only scholarship programme, was expanded in 2004 to include non-European residents and is open to graduate students, administrative staff and tertiary institutions across the globe. It operates under three main components, with the objective of assisting individual students, universities and organisations active in the field of higher education.

In relation to students, the main objective is to promote accessibility to Europe’s top universities and help improve the career prospects of students by enabling them to study abroad at top-class institutions. The programme also helps to promote intercultural understanding.

The scholarships, some of which have already begun, cover monthly allowances, tuition, registration costs and insurance costs.

Renee English, speaking on behalf of the awardees, said, “The scholarship is a culmination of our dreams, diligence and perseverance. We will work hard not only to realise, but to exceed our potential towards our ultimate goal of developing a sustainable Jamaica.”

She also emphasised the importance of having a strong work ethic and never losing sight of one’s dreams.

Ambassador Paola Amadei who heads the EU Delegation in Jamaica, encouraged the participants present to put this knowledge at the service of Jamaica: “You represent incredible talent and your country needs you… I invite all of you here to think of the Erasmus Project not just as a scholarship programme providing opportunities for individual students, but as an extended arm of our development partnership in Jamaica. The cornerstone of sustainable development is an investment in the people.”

Delivering his remarks, Minister Thwaites said he was particularly pleased that the recipients will be studying in Europe as “we need opportunities to broaden the perspective of our students.

“The Government of Jamaica is expecting that these scholars will return and contribute their knowledge to the development of their homeland.”

Jamaica’s participation in the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus programme began in 2013 when six recipients were awarded scholarships.