FOR the first time since the programme opened to Jamaicans, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship has been granted to a student outside of the island’s two major universities.

Kim-Lee Campbell, a 23-year-old dance major at Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, was one of three young women who have been awarded scholarships to pursue Master’s degrees at top European universities, starting this September. She will pursue a two-year International Master’s in Dance Knowledge, Practice and Heritage, starting in Norway.

Campbell said her success will open a window of opportunity for other students at the college who share a similar passion for the creative arts.

“I broke that barrier and I have opened a bridge for that opportunity to happen and for other people who study the arts to realise that they, too, can benefit from a programme like this,” she gushed.

“I really was shocked by this, but I am extremely grateful and humbled,” she added.

Campbell is no stranger to high achievement. She received the Rex Nettleford Award for Outstanding Performance in Choreography in 2014 and has copped several other awards, including the GraceKennedy scholarship for three consecutive years, beginning 2011.

Her work has been exhibited both nationally and regionally through the National Gallery of Jamaica, the National Dance Theatre Company and the Tobago Contemporary Art Festival. She has also been recognised for sterling contribution to underserved communities, through YAAD Arts, a programme which provides classes in drama, music, dance and visual arts for children living in August Town, Kingston.

This year’s other Erasmus Mundus awardees are Tami Palmer, a recent graduate of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), and quality/safety manager Nicole Ennis.

Palmer, who is 23 years old, is heading to the New University of Lisbon and the University of Münster to pursue a master’s in geospatial technologies. She previously received recognition from UTech for outstanding work in the Faculty of Built Environment.

Palmer said she had always dreamed of doing post-graduate studies in Europe, and this provides a perfect opportunity for a change in environment. She added that she chose to pursue a master’s in the same field because… “I want to be in a position to truly make an impact by providing technical and consultancy services and training in the use of innovative business solutions and product development to improve profitability, problem-solving and decision-making while maintaining a sustainable environment”.

For her part, Ennis, who completed her bachelor’s at Yale University in the United States 10 years ago, is a lover of cultural exchange, and looks forward to studying in Europe.

“You are never too old to continue studying,” she said.

The 31-year-old, who will be pursuing a master’s in quality in analytical laboratories in Poland, said she feels fortunate to have been selected among the best and most qualified in the world, and recommended the programme to Jamaicans desirous of completing their master’s degrees abroad.

“I have never seen a programme with such a wide variety of subject areas to choose from. Jamaican students and professionals should definitely tap into this opportunity,” she continued.

The young women spoke with the Jamaica Observer at a farewell ceremony in their honour hosted by the UN delegation at the ambassador’s residence in Kingston two Fridays ago.

Head of the European Union delegation in Jamaica, Ambassador Paola Amadei, said she was most pleased by the diversity of students who are set to participate in the programme.

“I am very happy to see a steady flow of applicants. I am also very happy because of the quality of [applications] and the calibre of students that can be found throughout Jamaica,” she said.

Amadei added that the scholarship awards was a great way to celebrate the 40th year of partnership between the EU and Jamaica. This year’s group brings to 21 the number of Jamaicans to have been awarded the scholarship since 2012.

Keynote speaker at the event, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites expressed gratitude for the continued support of the EU in exposing, training and educating the Jamaican people.

“This day is a good day for our nation and for Jamaica’s education system,” he said. He encouraged the awardees to capitalise on every opportunity as they move beyond the borders of this small country.

The scholarship will cover travel, accommodation, tuition, and health insurance, as well as a monthly stipend.

Erasmus Mundus is a component of the Erasmus Plus programme which caters to students of the Caribbean and other non-EU States. It was implemented to modernise education, training, youth work, and boost employablilty.