KINGSTON, Jamaica—Seven outstanding Jamaicans have been awarded fully funded UK government scholarships to pursue one-year master’s degree programmes at leading universities across the United Kingdom for the 2026 academic year.

The cohort comprises three Chevening Scholars and four Commonwealth Scholars, who were celebrated on Tuesday evening, August 25, at the UK 2026 Scholarship Farewell Reception hosted by British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Alicia Herbert, at the British High Commission in Kingston.

The Chevening Scholars are Akeem Campbell, pursuing a Master of Finance at the University of Cambridge; Shaqkeera Douglas, pursuing an LLM in Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law at Queen Mary University of London and Melisha Gordon, pursuing an MSC in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Queen Mary University of London.

Commonwealth Scholars are Jerome Garwood, pursuing a Master’s in Construction Economics and Management, University College London (UCL); Ricardo Hunter, pursuing an MSc in Innovation and Technology Management, University of Bath; Emoney Clayton, pursuing an MSc in Global Health and Development, University College London (UCL) and Lamar-Shey Grant, pursuing an MA in Applied Anthropology and Community Development, Goldsmiths, University of London.

The reception brought together the scholars, Chevening and Commonwealth alumni, government representatives, family members and other specially invited guests ahead of the scholars’ departure for the United Kingdom.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, was also in attendance and delivered remarks.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert, who is also a former Commonwealth Scholar, congratulated the seven Jamaicans on their outstanding achievement, noting the long-standing contribution of the UK scholarship programmes to developing Jamaican leaders across a range of sectors.

“What brings us all together this evening is a belief in the potential of people-their ideas, their talent and their ability to make a difference in their communities and in the wider world. To our scholars who are about to embark on your studies across a wide range of disciplines from finance, law and cybercrime, global health, construction, community development, innovation and technology, and more: congratulations. You have earned this opportunity through your talent, your hard work and your potential. And I hope that tonight, as you look around, you feel not only excitement about what lies ahead, but also a sense of the community that you are joining,” Herbert said.

“Because one of the wonderful things about Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships is that the journey does not begin when you arrive at your university, and it certainly does not end when you receive your degree.”

Meanwhile, Minister Johnson Smith spoke on some of her own Government colleagues who have benefitted from either the UK’s Commonwealth or Chevening scholarship programmes.

Among the UK Scholarship alumni she mentioned included Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton; Dr Nigel Clarke-former finance minister and current deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund-IMF; State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge; Attorney General Derrick McKoy; MP and former Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs-Marlene Malahoo Forte, among others.

She also congratulated the scholars and encouraged them to make full use of the academic, professional and cultural opportunities available to them during their time in the United Kingdom.

“You join a family of just over 750 scholars who have left Jamaica, our brightest minds, who have been afforded access to some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions through these invaluable scholarships programmes and who have returned. These scholars have come back, not only with advanced skills and expertise, but motivated by a deeper sense of purpose and service to country. Many are contributing to key areas of national development,” she said.

At the farewell reception, the UK Government also recognised Jamaica’s two 2026 recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) 100 Young Leaders Awards 2026, Zantaye Thomas, founder and executive director of Sign Clubs of Jamaica, and Nicholas Kee, founder and executive director of Kee Farms Jamaica.

The QECT 100 Young Leaders Awards recognise 100 exceptional young changemakers from across the Commonwealth and were announced this year to commemorate what would have been Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. Thomas was recognised for her work championing deaf inclusion, culture and accessibility, while Kee was recognised for his work advancing regenerative ocean and land-based climate solutions.