250,000 reasons to study Spanish
The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) on Wednesday awarded five bursaries valued at $50,000 each, to young Jamaicans in need who demonstrate passion and dedication to the study of the Spanish language.
The awards will be administered through the University of the West Indies’ Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF). The Executive Board comprises the Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica, as Honorary President, and Spanish groups: RIU, Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, Secrets Resorts and Spas, Grand Palladium, BahÃa Principe, Excellence Group, Hospiten, Global Exchange.
Over the past 25 years, UWIDEF has provided assistance to the university for the welfare of students of the Mona campus by covering an array of assistance including scholarships, scientific and academic research and development, including contributions to the UWI’s teaching hospital the UWI Hospital.
The 10-year-old SJF, meanwhile, has expanded its outreach in all areas, including increased support for bursaries valued at more than $3 million to students and student-teachers studying Spanish in educational institutions islandwide. This is in addition to ongoing projects.
SJF General Manager Karen Donaldson congratulated UWIDEF for its consistent efforts to seek out ways of accessing assistance in the provision of scholarships to benefit students.
“The study of foreign languages opens doors to endless possibilities, and we are confident that the students selected will make full use of the opportunities being afforded them. Last year’s recipients have already shown proof not only of high academic standards and leadership qualities, but also in their capacity as SJF Youth Ambassadors for Spanish, have participated in SJF-supported community service projects including Read Across Jamaica – In Spanish, and the Council of Voluntary Social Services’ (CVSS) Day of Care for the Homeless,” she said.
