WHEN opportunity meets determination, extraordinary things happen. Five exceptional electrical engineering students at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, have been awarded the prestigious Marubeni Power Company Scholarship, worth some US$25,000. This marks the second cohort of Marubeni Scholars.

But for these outstanding scholars it’s more than financial relief — it is validation that their aspirations for transforming Jamaica’s energy future are deserving of investment. These young engineers embody a new generation of Caribbean talent dedicated to technological advancement, renewable energy integration, and national development.

Breanna Bisnott: Balancing academic excellence with athletic achievement

Breanna Bisnott’s journey began at Immaculate Conception High School where she rose to become president of the engineering society. Now serving as vice-president of the Engineering Guild of Students at The UWI, she maintains remarkable balance as a national-level badminton player while excelling academically.

“Industrial automation has been my most intellectually stimulating course,” shared Bisnott who has a particular interest in control systems.

The scholarship significantly reduces financial pressure on her parents, who support four children through education while caring for her grandparents. Upon graduation Bisnott plans to work at a power plant before eventually developing her own renewable energy business. Her integrated perspective represents the new face of Caribbean engineering — technically skilled, environmentally conscious, and community-minded.

Theoden Ellis: Engineering in his DNA

When asked what sparked his interest in engineering, Theoden Ellis points to three influences: childhood curiosity about disassembling toys, excellence in mathematics, and strong family role models, including his father, who once worked at Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS). “I knew that was the way to go,” he shared confidently.

For Ellis, perseverance defines his journey. After failing to create a switchboard in his first year, he persisted until success.

“It was a life lesson, not just a school lesson,” he explained.

The Marubeni scholarship allows him to focus entirely on academics while participating in extra-curricular activities. After graduation he hopes to work at JPS before eventually becoming a power electrical engineer, “solving problems and making systems more cost-effective”. His ultimate goal: “To leave a lasting impact on society and help build Jamaica’s energy sector.”

Martin Gentles: A decade-long journey to success

Perhaps no story illustrates the non-linear nature of success better than that of Martin Gentles. A decade marked by personal challenges and family health crises could have derailed anyone’s academic ambitions. Instead, Gentles has achieved Dean’s List status three times while simultaneously supporting family members through serious health conditions.

“It feels like recognition of a job well done,” said Gentles about receiving the scholarship.

The former Ardenne High School basketball player found his academic passion in control systems and draws inspiration from Dr Paul Aiken, former head of engineering at The UWI.

With an entrepreneurial spirit Gentles aims to contribute to “Jamaica’s technological advancement through entrepreneurship and innovation”.

His story demonstrates that academic excellence isn’t always measured by speed but by determination to continue despite setbacks.

Alician Lawrence: The spark that changed everything

For Alician Lawrence, engineering isn’t just a career path — it’s a calling discovered in grade nine at Denbigh High School.

“There was a spark within me whenever I went to engineering class,” she recalled.

Unlike many peers still exploring options, Lawrence immediately selected electrical and electronic engineering for her Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) subjects, earning Merit List awards at both Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate(CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) levels. Now a second-year student focusing on energy systems, she views engineering as, “a framework for critical thinking and real world problem solving”.

The scholarship provides crucial validation: “It makes me feel seen. Even when I doubt myself, knowing that Marubeni believes in my potential encourages me to keep going.”

Within a decade she envisions herself among Jamaica’s top engineers working to make the country’s energy systems more efficient and sustainable.

Darren Passley: Building tomorrow, one turbine at a time

Darren Passley discovered his passion for electrical engineering in grade seven at Titchfield High School. By grade nine he was already attempting to build wind turbines and generators. As the fifth of eight children, his family has faced significant financial challenges supporting his education.

“This scholarship represents the ideal opportunity to erase the financial burdens while pursuing higher education to be an instrumental part of Jamaica’s development,” Passley explained.

An active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Student Chapter and various campus organisations, he plans to develop his own business advocating for sustainable energy systems throughout Jamaica.

“I wish to become part of the already existent board of engineers seeking to revolutionise Jamaica’s power generation capabilities while practising sustainable methods of development.”

Proud father Dwight Passley (left), representing his 2025 Marubeni Scholar son Darren, shakes hands with Marubeni Power International Managing Director Mo Majeed during the scholarship awards presentation ceremony.

Mo Majeed, managing director, Marubeni Power International, shares a proud moment with 2025 Marubeni Scholar Breanna Bisnott during the scholarship awards ceremony on May 28..

Year 2025 Marubeni Scholar Theoden Ellis (left) receives a congratulatory handshake from Damian Obiglio, vice-president of operations, Marubeni Power International.

Marubeni Power International’s Vice-President of Operations Damian Obiglio congratulates Alician Lawrence on being selected as a 2025 Marubeni Scholar.