KINGSTON, Jamaica— A total of 185 applications have been submitted to the Secretariat overseeing the Government’s $1-billion Marcus Garvey Graduate Scholarship for Public Sector Employees.

Opening the 2021/22 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke, said the submissions are for the first 30 scholarships being awarded under the initiative.

The programme is designed to provide opportunities for qualified, high-potential Jamaicans to obtain graduate degrees from competitive accredited tertiary institutions, in areas aligned with Jamaica’s national goals and strategic objectives.

Dr Clarke, who noted that the period for submission was September 1, 2020 to October 5, 2020, said a blind peer review process to shortlist applicants is almost complete.

He said the Selection Committee, chaired by Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, will interview the shortlisted applicants and select the final awardees.

The minister said that the programme will enable the development of a public sector-wide talent resource pool, with 30 scholarships a year over five years in various subject matters.

These include public sector governance, health, education, the built environment, and economics.

Dr Clarke said the programme constitutes the base of the Government’s human capital development initiatives that will nurture the advancement of future senior public sector leaders and executives.

“We remain committed to investing in the technical capacity and experience of the public sector. That is our goal and mission,” he said.