Digicel awards scholarships to tech-savvy university students
Ten members of Jamaica’s next generation of innovators are now pursuing another year of tertiary-level studies, having received scholarships valued at $145,000 each from Digicel.
The company said the students — who are pursuing studies in the fields of information and communications technology, computer science, digital marketing and communications — were selected because of their strong digital focus and mindset, along with having successfully maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or higher throughout their years of study.
“Innovation is one of the things Digicel is known for, and so we understand the importance of creating opportunities for upcoming innovators to shine. This is why we have focused our 2019 scholarships upon young achievers who are pursuing studies in the fields of technology and digital innovation. Our investment in their future is a tremendous asset for the digitally connected society that we are working to create,” commented CEO of Digicel Jamaica, Allison Philbert.
Calling them “change agents”, Philbert told the scholarship recipients that their academic success will be pivotal to Jamaica’s development. For this reason, Philbert said she was pleased to announce the inclusion of two students with special needs among the recipients.
“It is such an amazing emotion for me personally to know that we are also able to assist our special needs students in their educational pursuits, making this a truly inclusive exercise that recognises all talents and abilities,” said Philibert.
The handing-over ceremony was held recently under the theme, ‘Go Digital, Be Digital, Live Digital!’ at the Digicel headquarters in downtown Kingston.
One of the recipients, information technology major at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), Julian McKenzie, thanked Digicel for the financial help, as she expressed her interest in developing applications that will help commuters plan their transportation routes and methods based on the latest tracking information.
Special needs recipient, Laron Williamson, a computer technology student at the University of Technology, Jamaica, shared his plans to become a digital entrepreneur. He’s exploring ways to develop a cashless society, as well as to spend some time in the classroom.
Williamson explained, “I would like to be a teacher who shows Jamaicans how to utilise new-era technologies to become more productive.”
Since 2008, Digicel has awarded over 100 tertiary-level scholarships. This year’s recipients came from Northern Caribbean University, The University of the West Indies, Mona, University College of the Commonwealth, and the University of Technology, Jamaica. Along with the scholarship cheque, each recipient received a new smartphone.
“Preparing young professionals to contribute to the creation of a digitally connected society is very important to Digicel, and is consistent with the company’s long-term strategy to continue leading the digital evolution that’s enabling the proliferation of more smart technologies and automation into homes and business across Jamaica,” the company said.