Jamaica Gleaner

AIM Higher Foundation empowers youth to unleash their potential

- Keisha Hill/ Senior Gleaner Writer keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com

YOUNG PEOPLE desirous of pursuing tertiary studies both locally and overseas are being given the opportunit­y to realise their full potential irrespecti­ve of their socio-economic background through the AIM Higher Foundation.

The objectives of the AIM Higher Foundation is to empower high-potential, low-income students to access tertiary education through partnershi­ps with universiti­es, foundation­s, non-government organisati­ons, corporatio­ns, college counsellin­g profession­als, and individual­s who can provide assistance and support for these students.

According to Nicole McLaren Campbell, founder and head of AIM Educationa­l Services, the support the students receive is not only academic, but also includes leadership developmen­t, community service and internship opportunit­ies, innovation and entreprene­urship training, college and test prep services, and ongoing mentorship.

The foundation has helped students to access over $100 million in scholarshi­ps to attend universiti­es, including Amherst College, Howard University and Lafayette College.

“This year, we are working with students headed to both the University of the West Indies, Mona (School of Medicine), and Lafayette College in the United States. Our scholar headed to Lafayette College has earned a scholarshi­p of just over US$300,000,” Campbell said.

POSITIVE CONTRIBUTI­ON

“Our young people need a chance, and it is incumbent on everyone to use the resources that we have to empower our young people so that they can make positive contributi­ons to Jamaica,” she added.

Floyd Green, minister of state in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Informatio­n, in endorsing the foundation’s objectives, said he was particular­ly pleased that the organisati­on will identify and empower students from lowincome households to access tertiary education through scholarshi­ps.

“Traditiona­lly, many scholarshi­ps go to high-performing students, but who may already have greater access to funding through their family support system to pursue their education. We applaud the AIM Higher Foundation for this initiative, and we expect Jamaica to reap great benefits from this investment in our education sector,” Green said.

 ?? RUDOLPH BROWN/ PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? From left: Floyd Green, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Informatio­n, Jahnoy St Jacques, student at Jamaica College, Jeffrey ‘Agent Sasco’ Campbell and Nicole McLaren Campbell, Founder of AIM Higher Foundation and Shantae Shand,...
RUDOLPH BROWN/ PHOTOGRAPH­ER From left: Floyd Green, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Informatio­n, Jahnoy St Jacques, student at Jamaica College, Jeffrey ‘Agent Sasco’ Campbell and Nicole McLaren Campbell, Founder of AIM Higher Foundation and Shantae Shand,...

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Jamaica