Najae Murray set to transform Jamaican education

Late last year, when Najae Murray submitted his application for the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, he did so with little expectation, being fully aware of the intense competition associated with the award.

“I know of others who have attempted two and three times before getting through, so I was quite surprised that I had gotten through,” said Murray, director of public relations and communication at the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).

Against all odds, he emerged the recipient of the historic Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke scholarship, the first Chevening partner award to be established in Jamaica. The fully funded scholarship is named in honour of the late Oliver F Clarke, former chairman of The Jamaica National Group and The Gleaner Company.

Murray was selected from a pool of 17 applicants pursuing the specific course of study eligible for the Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke scholarship. Close to 300 applications for the scholarship awards were received locally for this academic year. He is one of 13 successful Chevening scholarship applicants from Jamaica who will be pursuing one-year master’s degrees in the United Kingdom (UK).

During Murray’s recent courtesy call on The Jamaica National Group, chief executive officer of The Jamaica National Group, Earl Jarrett, juxtaposed Clarke’s life and his areas of focus with the scholarship programme.

“Mr Clarke pursued his tertiary education in the UK. Similar to the requirement for the award recipient to return home to use the knowledge gained to help to build their home country, Mr Clarke also returned home after his period of study and contributed to the growth of Jamaica.”

“The Chevening programme is focused on helping to identify, train and foster future leaders, which is similar to what Mr Clarke did. He was a serial mentor through his mentorship of young Jamaicans who demonstrate leadership potential,” he added.

Jarrett also pointed out that Clarke was an advocate for the people of Jamaica who used all his skills and access to improve the lives of people. He believed in education, good public policy and founded many organisations to promote public programmes.

Like Clarke, Murray is a staunch advocate for higher education to create social and economic change.

“My work at the UCJ has allowed me to witness firsthand the transformative power of education and training. This experience has fuelled my passion to delve deeper into the study of education and development, as I believe that quality education is the cornerstone of a nation’s progress,” said Murray.

He has been committed to advancing educational opportunities and developing leadership skills of people to drive positive change in their careers, having also worked as an adjunct assistant lecturer at The University of the West Indies and as a public relations officer with e-Learning Jamaica Ltd.

“I believe that education and training are the cornerstones of individual empowerment and national development. They equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to contribute meaningfully to society. Accessibility to quality education and training ensures that every person, regardless of their background, can realise their fullest potential. This inclusivity not only promotes equity but also fosters a diverse and skilled workforce, which is essential for innovation and sustainable development,” he stressed.

“By embarking on this Chevening/Oliver F Clarke journey, my aim is to make education and training accessible to all, I would like to lay the foundation for a more prosperous and resilient nation, where progress is driven by the collective achievements of its people.”

Murray is optimistic that his course of study will enrich his academic and professional journey while equipping him with the critical skills and knowledge needed to make a significant impact in the field of education.

“The programme includes modules such as ‘Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues’, which will enable me to analyse and address the myriad of challenges we are experiencing in our education systems as it overtly links education to international development,” he indicated.

He also emphasised that other modules in the programme such as ‘Planning for Education and Development’ and ‘Higher Education: Comparative and International Perspectives’ will be beneficial in helping him to provide greater support of the strategic planning efforts of the UCJ thus enhancing the quality and competitiveness of Jamaica’s higher education system.

“Upon returning to Jamaica, I hope to bring fresh insights to support the development of initiatives and partnerships that are in alignment with the UCJ’s mission, chief among which will be to identify opportunities for growth through innovative business strategies. My goal is to attract additional resources and partnerships to further the UCJ’s mission by repositioning the UCJ as not only a regulatory body but also as a thought leader in education,” he pointed out.

A Ferncourt High alumnus who hails from Ocho Rios, St Ann, Murray credits Arianna, his only sibling and best friend, a 13-year-old second-form student at St Hilda’s High School, as the source of his success.

“Though she is a little sister, she has always provided that inspiration that I must do good in the world to provide a world for her to be great in. She has always been that source of inspiration to continue to press on, to keep going. I was never born bright but she was, so I have to keep up,” he said with a chuckle. “She always pushed me to go further. The big shoes that I have to fill were given to me by her.”

Arianna is proud of her brother, whom she likened to a parent. Like the proverbial ‘peas in a pod’, they have always maintained an extraordinary relationship.

“He is a very helpful and resourceful person. Even when he is busy, he makes time for me. He gives advice when you don’t know what to do.”

His mother, Georgia Blackwood, an insurance agent and business operator, and stepfather, Radcliffe Blackwood, a crane operator, are thrilled about his accomplishment.

“We are very ecstatic, we are so proud of him,” said Mrs Blackwood. “Najae is very deserving of the scholarship. He is hardworking, he is the person everyone comes to when they need help for schoolwork or advice. From Najae was a child, I knew he was special. I’ve never had an issue with discipline. He has always been a dedicated young man who knew what he wanted. It’s important as parents to stand behind our children and that’s what his stepfather and I did for him and he just blossomed.”

Since the inception of the Chevening Scholarship 40 years ago, 60,000 people around the world, more than 315 of them Jamaicans, have benefited.