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Eight female NCU students receive Chinese Ambassador Scholarships

Published:Wednesday | October 25, 2023 | 12:07 AMBrithany McLeod/Contributor
Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, H.E. Chen Daojiang (4th from left), and NCU president, Professor Lincoln Edwards (5th from left) are flanked by students who received scholarships from the Embassy of the Republic of China on September 28. Some of the awardee
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Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, H.E. Chen Daojiang (4th from left), and NCU president, Professor Lincoln Edwards (5th from left) are flanked by students who received scholarships from the Embassy of the Republic of China on September 28. Some of the awardees (from left) are Daviesha Williams, Normanique Powell, Kimone Roache-Taylor, Brittania Jackson, Myra Clarke, and Sydonney Clark.

EIGHT FEMALE students at Northern Caribbean University were recently awarded the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship in the usually male-dominated areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Chen Daojiang presented the scholarships on September 28.

The awardees are Myra Clarke (Mathematics and Engineering), Sydonney Clark (Computer and Information Science), Mckeeley Foster (Nursing), Brittania Jackson (Medical Technology), Normanique Powell (Nursing), Kimone Roache-Taylor (Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science), Shaschaine Savery (Nursing) and Daviesha Williams (Medical Technology).

The Chinese Ambassador Scholarships have been available to NCU students since 2019 and have assisted a total of 28 students so far. Ambassador Chen Daojiang announced the increase in scholarships from five to eight in May 2023. At the presentation ceremony, he said that the increase, “not only vividly demonstrates the close cooperative relationship and profound friendship between the Embassy and NCU but also fully reflects China’s strong support for Jamaica’s education.”

He charged the students to contribute to the prosperity and development of Jamaica and highlighted the 51-year legacy of the China-Jamaica diplomatic relationship.

“I hope you can study hard and seize the opportunities of the times. While pursuing your highest potential you could contribute to promoting the Global Initiative in Jamaica and continuously strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Jamaica,” the ambassador said.

RICH HISTORY

NCU President Professor Lincoln Edwards echoed Ambassador Chen Daojiang’s sentiments, saying “It’s through educational partnerships that the division and hostilities between countries ... and people will disappear and be replaced by economic prosperity and friendship.”

He added that he valued the relationship between NCU and the Chinese Embassy along with the people of China and was grateful for their faithfulness in renewing the scholarships for the last five years. The NCU president also urged the students to continue to “strive for the pursuit of knowledge, skills, character and competence”.

Second-year student Sydonney expressed her appreciation:

“I feel very grateful and honoured to have received it. This scholarship will lift a very heavy financial burden off my parents and I, which makes me very happy and eternally grateful for receiving it.”

Myra, a third-year student, remarked: “I feel elated and I’m glad that women, like men, can [excel in STEM]. Once we put our minds to it, then we will achieve it.”

NCU has a rich history of excellence in STEM competitions, including the Girls in ICT Hackathon, Microsoft Imagine Cup, and the National Science and Technology Competition.