UTech, Ja Presents 60th Anniversary Scholarship Awards to 64 High Achieving Scholars
Professor Stephen Vasciannie, (centre) President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Deans and other members of the University’s administrative and academic management, pose for a group photo with high achieving students who received the 60th Anniversary Scholarship on Thursday, January 30, 2020 during a special presentation ceremony held at Lecture Theatre 50, Shared Facilities Building, University of Technology, Jamaica Papine Campus.
Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President of the University of Technology, Jamaica on Thursday, January 30, 2020, presented sixty undergraduate and four graduate students with $6.4 Million in scholarships at a ceremony marking the 2nd annual UTech, Jamaica 60th Anniversary Scholarship Presentation, held at the Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus. The scholarships, valued at $100,000.00 each, were awarded to outstanding students of the University’s three colleges and five faculties who attained outstanding Grade Point Average (GPA) scores in the Academic Year 2018/2019.
In offering congratulations to the awardees, the University President noted that they were the “cream of the crop”, and had been recognized solely for their academic achievements. He went on to say that the scholarship presentation was one of the most important in the University’s calendar of events, since it combined the two characteristics of a good University - recognition of academic excellence and recognition of the fact that many students face economic challenges. “We want to encourage our students who are excelling to continue to pursue excellence,” the President stated.
Professor Vasciannie also thanked external donors to the University who had contributed over $140 Million in scholarships to UTech, Ja. students in Semester 1, AY 2019/2020. The President also took the opportunity to announce that as part of efforts to promote intellectual success and attract the best students in the country, new scholarships would be introduced at the faculty level for the three top students with the best results upon enrolling. In acknowledging that some students still face financial difficulties, even with assistance, Professor Vasciannie urged students to apply to the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB), as an investment in their education.
High academic achiever, Miss Josan Munroe, who is pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, Faculty of Science and Sport (FOSS), and who attained the highest GPA of 3.94 among the undergraduate awardees, responded on behalf of the scholarship recipients. Quoting Colin Powell, Miss Munroe said “a dream does not become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work”, emphasizing that her fellow awardees had sweat, demonstrated determination, had worked hard and endured sleepless nights to attain the heights of success. She thanked the University of Technology, Jamaica for recognizing that though students may possess the drive to succeed, the fulfillment of their potential may be hindered by financial hardship, and expressed that “in this moment, all I feel is gratitude.” She also thanked the support system that had helped her and fellow awardees to succeed, including family, and the administrative and academic staff of the University, and urged awardees: “have a burning desire for success, and when we have achieved, remember our joyful experience here today that will trigger our desire to give back to society.”
The programme was chaired by Dr. Paul Ivey, Associate Vice President, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, who added his praise to the awardees, remarking that “they are the brightest stars in our constellation.”
Highest GPA
Josan Munroe, undergraduate student of the Faculty of Science and Sport, accepts her UTech, Ja. 60th Anniversary Scholarship award of $100,000.00 from President Professor Stephen Vasciannie. Josan who is pursuing the Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuarial Science, achieved the highest undergraduate GPA of 3.94.
Graduate Scholar
President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie (left) presents Graduate student Johnathan Douglas Williams, Faculty of The Built Environment, with the UTech, Ja. 60th Anniversary Scholarship award. Douglas Williams achieved a GPA of 3.80.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm