KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican student, Tagera Ottey has received a $5-million scholarship to study medicine in the People’s Republic of China, courtesy of China National Pharmaceutical Corporation (Sinopharm).

Speaking at a send-off for the student at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) yesterday, Minister without Portfolio, Mike Henry, who had appealed to the company on behalf of the recipient, commended the company on the swiftness of the response.

He noted that “they rose to the occasion” and provided an opportunity “for a Jamaican to move forward”.

He urged Ottey “as you grasp this opportunity, to do so in the interest of Jamaica”.

The minister said the scholarship award is another example of the great friendship that exists between China and Jamaica.

He noted that China has brought huge investments to the country, and encouraged Jamaicans to “rise and match that investment. Let us try and jointly do so”.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Tian Qi pointed out that in recent decades, his country has provided more than 2,000 scholarships and training opportunities for Jamaicans.

He noted that with more than 16 major Chinese companies operating in Jamaica, and investments of US$1.5 billion, this means employment and training for hundreds of persons.

He implored the student, after the six years of study, to return as a qualified doctor and “serve the people of Jamaica”.

Managing Director of Sinopharm, Zheng Huanming, for his part, informed that over the past two years, the company has facilitated professional training for scores of doctors and nurses.

He noted that in 2017, the company enabled 23 persons in the medical field to benefit from three-month specialist training in China.

“We understand that investment in the education sector is an investment that will benefit generations to come…. Miss Ottey, as you embark on this new journey, we look forward to you returning to Jamaica with all that has been learnt, to improve the country’s medical health system, and to contribute to the China-Jamaica friendship,” the Managing Director said.

Ottey, for her part, expressed gratitude to Sinopharm for the scholarship, which will enable her to realise her dream of “serving humanity in the capacity of a medical doctor”.

She pledged to use her training to “make a difference”.