BRITISH High Commissioner to Jamaica Judith Slater has applauded Jamaica’s 2025 Rhodes Scholar, Aundrene Cameron, for her outstanding achievement and commitment to creating safer spaces for women in Jamaica.

Cameron, a passionate law student, will pursue studies in criminology and criminal justice at University of Oxford in the United Kingdom later this year. She will also pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law. She is behind the non-profit Girls Who Fight Back, a programme designed to teach young girls critical self-defence skills.

Slater, long with her deputy Jonathan Cook, received a courtesy call from Cameron on Friday. The meeting celebrated the scholar’s outstanding achievement and underscored the strong educational and diplomatic ties between Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

“Aundrene’s passion and dedication to addressing critical social issues reflect the exceptional talent and potential of Jamaica’s young leaders,” said Slater. “We are proud to celebrate her achievement and continue supporting initiatives that foster academic excellence and leadership. The UK Government, for instance, has continuously invested in Jamaica’s youth through well known programmes like the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships. While Rhodes is independent, we are sure Aundrene will benefit significantly from her time in the UK.”

Meanwhile, Cameron, a former Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, shared how receiving the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship and getting the opportunity to study in the UK will prepare her to return to Jamaica one day and be a pivotal changemaker.

“I feel amazing, but it doesn’t even feel real yet!” she exclaimed. “Receiving the Rhodes Scholarship is not just a personal milestone but an opportunity to contribute to the development of Jamaica. I am deeply honoured and excited to begin this next chapter at Oxford. I’m grateful to the high commissioner and her deputy for sharing some useful information I will need during my time in the UK.”

The British High Commission says it remains committed to promoting educational exchange and leadership development through initiatives which continue to empower Jamaicans to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom..