UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (UWI) student Kalila Martin has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Wigton Energy Limited Scholarship.

This scholarship, valued at $1 million annually for two years, will enable Martin to continue her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the university.

During the handover ceremony last Friday, Paul Lalor, a director of The UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF) —which administers the scholarship on behalf of Wigton — commended the company for its commitment to fostering academic excellence and supporting future leaders in engineering.

“UWIDEF has witnessed first-hand the challenges students face in accessing the resources they need to succeed and so the impact of scholarships like the Wigton Energy Limited Scholarship cannot be overstated,” said Lalor.

In the meantime Gary Barrow, chief executive officer of Wigton Energy, emphasised that the scholarship is a strategic investment in Jamaica’s future.

“Wigton recognises the financial challenges many students face when pursuing higher education. The cost of tuition and other essential expenses can often be a significant barrier, especially for those with limited financial resources.

“Through the Wigton Energy Limited Scholarship, we aim to alleviate some of these burdens, enabling determined students to focus on their studies and achieve their academic and professional goals without the constant worry of financial strain and by supporting talented students in engineering, we are contributing to the development of critical skills needed to advance the nation’s infrastructure and energy sector,” said Barrow.

In expressing her gratitude at being the first recipient of the scholarship, which will ease her financial burdens and aid in the achievement of her academic and career goals, Martin said she is committed to giving back in any way possible.

According to Martin, she recognises the support she has received from Wigton and the positive impact it will have on her journey.

The Wigton Energy Limited Scholarship will be awarded biennially.

It is open to Jamaican students pursuing specific courses in engineering at The University of the West Indies, Mona and Northern Caribbean University.

Each award is sustained by the recipient provided that a grade point average (GPA )of at least 3.0 is maintained until their course of study has been completed.