The JWN Foundation (JWNF) has significantly increased its investment in education, awarding scholarships totalling $26,315,000 in 2024, compared to last year’s disbursement of $19,280,000.

The increase includes 10 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarships awarded to students from communities surrounding J Wray & Nephew Limited (JWN) operations.

“This expansion aligns with Jamaica’s national push for STEM education and includes an additional 189 scholarships for promising scholars, an investment that comes on the heels of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s recently announced plans for six new specialised STEM schools across Jamaica, underscoring the growing national focus on these critical fields,” the foundation said in a news release.

“When we initially conceptualised the revised scholarship programme in 2016, it was done to impact our community students in a meaningful way. We wanted to see them excel as individuals that serve as examples for others in the communities and ultimately improve the legacy in their communities,” the release quotes Tanikie McClarthy Allen, CEO of the foundation.

“Dr Joy Spence has been a benefactor of the scholarship programme since inception and looking at her legacy and impact and her being a STEM advocate, we added a special focus on the STEM scholars. We also saw promise in many of our community students, so we wanted to be able to provide jobs to these community students that are directly linked to the areas in which our sister company, JWN, operates,” she added.

Among this year’s recipients is LaShawnya Heron, the Joy Spence STEM Awardee who received an additional $200,000 scholarship from Spence, JWN’s master blender and noted STEM education advocate. This donation is in addition to the $200,000 scholarship award, bringing Heron’s total award to $400,000 for the 2024 academic year.

“This support will enable me to fully engage with my studies and research,” said Heron. “My aim is to drive innovation in STEM and create positive change in my community.”

She gratitude to both Spence and the JWN Foundation for what she described as their “extraordinary support” and said the additional funding will allow her to fully immerse herself in her studies and research.

“My goal is to contribute to groundbreaking innovations in STEM and positively impact my community. I am inspired by the generosity and vision of those who have made this possible,” Heron said

The involvement of Spence, a long-standing volunteer and contributor to the JWNF involvement, highlights the growing trend of private sector engagement in educational initiatives, particularly in STEM fields.

“This collaborative approach between corporate foundations and individual philanthropists exemplifies a model for addressing Jamaica’s educational and economic development needs,” the foundation said.

It explained that its expanded scholarship programme represents a strategic investment in Jamaica’s future workforce, aligning corporate social responsibility with national economic objectives.

“As Jamaica continues to prioritise STEM education, initiatives like this play a crucial role in developing the talent pipeline necessary for the country’s technological and scientific advancement,” the foundation said.