An agreement between Nottingham Trent University and the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) is to open up new travel, work placement, and scholarship opportunities for students.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding the two entities recently signed students of Jamaican heritage who hold a firm offer for a place at Nottingham Trent University will be able to apply for one of three Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarships for each of the next three years. The scholarships are worth £6,000 and are to be applied towards tuition fees and living costs, starting in October 2017. Students must either be a member of the building society or have a parent who is a member.

The MOU also makes provision for Nottingham Business School students to travel to Jamaica for internships and work placements with JNBS, while students of Nottingham Trent University’s Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism (CBJ) will benefit from an extension of an existing relationship with JNBS-owned publication

The Voice, described as Britain’s best black newspaper.

In addition to opportunities for journalism students to pitch and produce content for the newspaper and website,

The Voice will offer work placements at its headquarters in London. Editorial staff will be invited to become mentors to student and give guest lectures at the university. In return, the CBJ will offer training toThe Voice team on topics such as video skills and media law.

“This agreement offers a range of exciting opportunities for students, particularly those of Jamaican heritage. The commitment that JNBS has to corporate social responsibility and their impact on society aligns with our own values, and through this partnership we hope to strengthen the relationship between the university and the Caribbean community in Nottingham and beyond,” said Nottingham Trent University Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Peck.

For his part, Earl Jarrett, JNBS general manager, said: “Jamaica National Building Society is committed to its corporate social responsibility goals, and this agreement with Nottingham Trent University fully supports that commitment. We look forward to working with the university during the next three years to provide funding and support for nine students of Jamaican heritage who will be selected for the scholarship, and to providing internships and work placements for several Nottingham Business School students in Jamaica.”