SIXTY students from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) are starting the new year on a light note, knowing that their tuitions are fully paid, thanks to New Fortress Energy (NFE) Foundation’s annual tertiary engineering/STEM scholarship programme.

The LNG provider, who is awarding almost $50 million in scholarship to support the academic journeys of these students for the 2024/2025 academic year, made the announcement at an award ceremony held recently at The UWI’s Regional headquarters in St Andrew.

Dr Tamika Benjamin, assistant chief education officer for the tertiary unit in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, encouraged the recipients to embrace their vision and stay focused no matter what hurdles lie ahead.

“I encourage you to choose your company wisely, seek out those who inspire you to be better. Challenges are sure to come, so face them with courage because they can propel you to greater heights. This is the attitude that you are going to need to take in the months and years ahead. Finally, do not let the temporary distractions of this season rob you of the unmatched possibilities of your future success,” she said.

In commending New Fortress Energy, Dr Benjamin said, “The importance of this kind of partnership cannot be understated. This initiative supplements the 150 engineering scholarships that the ministry offers annually as part of our drive to train approximately 6,000 engineers, which is estimated that our economy needs. So, this is not just an investment in these students’ future; it is also an investment in Jamaica’s future as it supports the ministry’s goal of increasing the number of Jamaicans who are able to access and create Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-based jobs locally and ensures that there is at least one person with an undergraduate degree in every single household. It is against this background that the ministry expresses sincere appreciation to New Fortress Energy Foundation for their dedication to fostering education and community development. You are a beacon of hope and a model for others to emulate.”

Now in its eighth year, the scholarship programme targets students who are completing their first degree in engineering or a STEM discipline, and who are generally from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds and are therefore in need of financial support. All applicants are required to have a GPA of 3.0 and above and demonstrate strong leadership and community involvement.

“We have seen brilliant students who have had to take a leave of absence because they lack the funding to complete their education; this is heartbreaking. So this scholarship programme from NFE Foundation is a critical programme that will help in advancing student success,” said Dr Tomlin Paul, acting deputy principal at The UWI.

Echoing Dr Paul’s sentiments, Eton Chin, university treasurer at CMU added that, “many recipients would be first-time graduates in their families and this scholarship goes a long way in helping them to emerge as scholars to complete their studies with high commendations”.

Dr Kevin Brown, president of UTech, in underscoring the importance of scholarships, said, “What type of engineer will you be in the future? Yes, focusing on your technical skills is critical because we are in a fast-growing technological age. However, will you also be a good citizen who volunteers and gives back to others just like you are receiving today? Without scholarships, I, like many of you, would not be where we are today. So, on behalf of UTech and all recipients, I want to commend NFE for your commitment and consistency in supporting our students achieve their academic goals.”

NFE Foundation’s scholarship package for the 2024-2025 academic year includes a total of 60 students; 20 from each of the three universities. Each student received scholarships ranging from US$3,500 to US$10,000 depending on their area of study.

Verona Carter, vice-president, New Fortress Energy congratulated the students.

”We believe that STEM education is an essential component of economic growth and global competitiveness. NFE is, therefore, committed to continue to invest in STEM education in Jamaica to ensure that as a country, we have the knowledge and skills necessary to drive innovation and progress towards a sustainable economy,“ she said.