Three UTech students awarded full scholarships through Carney Global Ventures Foundation
OVERWHELMINGLY THANKFUL – this was the reaction of three students of UTech, Jamaica’s Caribbean School of Nursing (CSON) who on Thursday, February 8 became the first UTech, Ja recipients of fully funded scholarships from UTech, Jamaica’s Chancellor Lloyd Carney through his Carney Global Ventures Foundation.
The students who are all enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing course of study at the Papine Campus were presented with their awards by Carney during a brief hand over ceremony inside the President’s Conference Room. The recipients are: first year students, Sudeek Sloley and Cameal Walker, along with the third-year student Katanya Allen.
While the collective value of the scholarships was not disclosed, Chancellor Lloyd Carney indicated that the awards will “take care of everything … food, books, tuitions, uniforms” for the three students.“I want this to be a holistic scholarship,” he said.
Carney shared that while his foundation has been providing scholarships for “over 30 years” to other institutions locally, somehow, “there is hardship that is still not resolved”. He noted that in some instances some students, even after receiving scholarships, “can’t find uniforms, they can’t find money for housing, they can’t find money for food”.
He said the provision to cover everything was a deliberate move to eliminate such challenges for these first-time recipients of the Carney Global Ventures Foundation Scholarship.
“I don’t want these young people to have to worry. I want them to focus on school … studying … getting their work done,” he insisted. The four-yearlong BSc in Nursing at UTech, Jamaica currently amounts to $588,590 while accommodation fees stand roughly at $220,000 per annum.
The awardees who have demonstrated excellent academic achievements are required to maintain at least a B average to keep the scholarship for the duration of their degree programme. While another condition of the scholarship requires that the students remain on island for at least two years after they have completed their studies, Carney noted that flexibility and due considerations will be exercised so as not to deprive the students of meaningful opportunities.
ANSWERED PRAYER
Overtaken by her emotions, scholarship recipient Sloley explained what the scholarship meant for her.
“I am overwhelmed. I didn’t really have much assistance because my mother passed last year when I was in sixth form when I was doing my CAPE exams. I had to take a year off to get myself some assistance. I had to get a full-time job as a telephone receptionist and clerk at a hardware store while coping with the grief,” she explained.
Sloley said that she fell short on her tuition and was worried that she would not have been able to complete her degree. She shared that while she learnt of the scholarship from her dean and head of school, it was only upon the Chancellor’s announcement about the extent of the award that she truly breathed a sigh of relief.
“I was questioning what was going to happen because we are going to have practicum, we are going to have to find fares for transportation,” she shared. Now having all these and other expenses covered, she describes the Chancellor’s intervention as “an answered prayer”.
Allen, who was also overcome with emotions, said: “I did not expect that the scholarship would cover tuition, clothing, housing, food … everything essentially. I have not gotten support from my parents at all since this journey has started … so this has been a blessing.” She says she aims to bring hope to trauma patients through her service in the nursing profession.
Walker noted her fear and anxiety about meeting the financial requirements for the degree. She shared, “I am very excited about this opportunity because at first I was wondering if I would need to take a leave of absence because I have no financial help.”
The youngster who hails from Westmoreland explained that her mother who is challenged with a health issue is not physically able to care for her. Neither is her father who also faces financial difficulties. She aims to make the best use of the scholarship and hopes to some day offering similar assistance to needy individuals.
Dr Adella Campbell, dean of the College of Health Sciences, congratulated the recipients and encouraged them to continue to do great work to maintain their awards with an outlook to be positive contributors to the nursing profession.
“Congratulations to these young ladies. You are privileged to be receiving full scholarships. I want to wish you all the best as you work hard to maintain your B average and above … we are looking forward to seeing you on the Dean’s List.”
She also thanked the Chancellor for investing in the students’ education and by extension, the College of Health Sciences.
Dr Campbell noted that “our output is well sought after”. She stated that the aid through the foundation will help to enhance the output of renowned reputable nursing graduates f rom t he University of Technology, which the Chancellor interjected are “world-class”.
This being the first scholarship of its kind to UTech, Ja students under the Carney Global Ventures Foundation, Chancellor Carney noted that the plan is to continue the initiative at the university in the coming years. He also intends to invite other sponsors to join in providing similar support.