Strategic partnership between New Fortress Energy, CMU results in scholarships

New Fortress Energy has announced a new partnership with the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) as it awards its final set of scholarship recipients for 2018.

Twelve students enrolled at CMU across various disciplines were presented with scholarships valued at close to $4 million from New Fortress Energy as part of the company's significant contribution to Jamaica's social and economic future through education.

Speaking during the handover at CMU's Palisadoes campus recently, Verona Carter, vice-president of public affairs for New Fortress Energy, said: "Jamaica is in a commanding position to be the leader in energy transformation and diversification in the region, so it's critical that we create a next-generation workforce to support the economic growth and social development needed to sustain this national agenda."

Carter continued: "This is not simply about giving scholarships to students, it's also ensuring that the brilliant, talented and hard-working students in our schools and universities get a fair chance to complete their education despite their financial constraints so that they can in turn help preserve a sustainable future for Jamaica. We were very impressed with the performance of these students, and we're thrilled to be able to help them complete their education."

Financial support

Since the start of the year, New Fortress Energy has provided financial support to close to 1,500 students in the form of tertiary scholarships and bursaries for high schools and primary schools to the tune of close to $35 million.

Additionally, as part of its partnership with the CMU, the energy company has also embarked on a hot-meal programme on the university's campus to ensure that students who are unable to afford it, especially those coming from out of town, can enjoy a hotmeal every day and be better able to focus on their studies.

In the meantime, CMU President Dr Professor Fitz Pinnock said: "On behalf of the university, I would like to thank our long-term partner, New Fortress Energy, for giving these students the push they needed to complete their studies. Your dedication to creating a level playing field so that students can reach their true potential despite social and economic challenges is remarkable. We are proud of our association with you, and we look forward to building on our strategic relationship and achieving great things together as we continue to make STEM (science, technology, engineer-ing, and mathematics) education even more accessible to more students across Jamaica."

Scholarship recipients

- Stephen Bennett, Sherwayne Howell and Huntley Rowe from the Faculty of Marine Transportation.

- Christopher Hayden, Oslan Robinson and O'Brien Simp-son, Julian Stewart Wright, and Brandon Levy from the Faculty of Industrial Systems.

- Raeon Ricketts, Novian Robinson, and Kaydia Tinglin from the Faculty of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

- Amoy Vernon from the Faculty of Customs Processes, Freight Forwarding and Immigration.