UTech, Ja construction and architecture students receive scholarships from Jamaica Developers Association

 

Dean, Faculty of the Built Environment, Dr. Laurence Neufville in his greetings congratulated the JDA team for supporting needy students at the University, noting that the goals of the JDA are well aligned with that of the university which aims to “produce excellent professionals who are able to support the constructed environment” especially “in this kind of new dispensation occasioned by climate change.” He pointed out that both UTech, Ja and the JDA have a moral and professional responsibility to respond to the challenges brought on by harsh and prolonged weather conditions so that “our built artifacts can be resilient to these new changes.”  The FOBE Dean, stated that the JDA’s scholarship presentation to the four UTech, Ja students was an indication of the team’s honouring said responsibility in the face of climate change.  “I want to thank you for recognizing your role, and responsibility, your corporate social responsibility and you have actually demonstrated that by supporting our students here at the University of Technology, Jamaica.” He further invited the JDA team to engage the students in the operations of the Association by providing them with opportunities for practical work experience. He also encouraged the awardees to give back to UTech, Ja upon completion of their studies.

 

Acknowledging the significance of his team’s contribution to UTech, Ja, Chairman, Jamaica Developers Association, Dayton Wood stated, “we are only able to do what we do because institutions like UTech, develop students and our engineers, architects who assist us to build the products that are lasting and are credible to the country.”  He shared that the scholarship interview panel was impressed with this year’s recipients, observing that they are young people who are “making do with sometimes very little assistance, but they have really put their shoulders to the wheel and are committed and determined.”  The JDA Chairman noted that it is dedication such as this which has “inspired the Association to do whatever we can to increase the assistance that we are able to give on an annual basis.”

 

Dr. Anetheo Jackson, Head, School of Building and Land Management in her remarks noted that the occasion marks “a celebration of excellence generosity and ultimately, commitment to built environment education.” She thanked the JDA team for investing in the academic development of the UTech, Ja students.

 

Professor Garfield Young, former Dean, Faculty of The Built Environment and whose dialogue with the JDA was fundamental in this year’s expansion of the initiative to include the establishment of the JDA’s inaugural Joyce Bolton Memorial Scholarship, described the support from the Association as “critical” and one which “contributes to the dream of our students.  Dr. Young noted the JDA’s support helps students to “realize their ambition and it supports what we do as a university, but bigger than that, it really strongly supports sustainable development of Jamaica.”  He applauded the collaboration between the university and the industry partner, noting that higher education is less about “people who lock themselves in a place and call themselves a university” and more about the “joint venture between industry and those of us in academia.”

 

Prof. Young also urged the scholarship recipients to encourage their peers to seize similar financial opportunities to aid their educational development as the Faculty sometimes sees a low take-up rate for scholarships advertised.  “With the very few agencies providing financial support, when we advertise, we shouldn’t have to go digging to find persons because from our standpoint in the Faculty, we know that the attrition is quiet high and it’s not because they are not able to study or to carry the workload, it is because they cannot afford it.” He welcomed future collaborations with the JDA noting that the students are being positively impacted.

Scholarship recipients Durval Clayton and Britney Byfield also expressed their profound gratitude to the JDA for investing in their education. Clayton in his response stated that the gesture “really shows how much there are eyes out there watching us and appreciating what we are doing”.  He added that “this incredible gift is a great help to the awardees financially allowing us to attend university with fewer debts.”  Byfield noted that not only did the donation provide well needed financial relief, but that the efforts of the JDA team, through the Joyce Bolton Memorial Scholarship has particularly aided her to pursue her dreams and to “contribute to the construction industry.”