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M&M Jamaica launches mentorship initiative

Published:Friday | November 8, 2019 | 12:44 AM

Nine students pursuing degrees at the University of Technology Jamaica (UTech) will benefit from $12 million in scholarships as well as mentorship from civil and construction engineering firm M&M Jamaica Limited.

The nearly 30-year-old company increased its investment in education this year by adding a mentorship component to its scholarship programme.

The management of the company, as well as partners from UTech, acknowledged the scholarship recipients and their mentors at a recent event in Kingston. Among the scholars are Sean Roberts, Abigail Myers, Shaneil Hall, Ashley-Ann Croll, Shane Perry, Adri-Ann Rose, Khandi Jackson, and Renée Ramsay, who expressed gratitude to M&M for its contribution.

At the launch event held under the theme ‘Advancing individual purpose through positive impact’, Richard Mullings, director, M&M Jamaica Limited, highlighted the motive behind this initiative, which aligns with the company’s overall goal of having an impact Jamaica through various outreach ventures.

“We believe that involvement at the youth level is important for national development. Providing simple opportunities can lead to major future successes. This mentorship programme is intended to connect aspiring young persons with individuals who can impart guidance, knowledge, care, and motivation,” he explained.

Among the cohort of devoted mentors are various academics, engineering experts, M&M team members, and other exemplary members of society, including renowned engineer Ivan Anderson, managing director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC); Neville Mills, justice of the peace for the parish of Kingston and principal and managing director of Neville A. Mills Associates Ltd; Donovan Morgan, chairman/CEO at Epic Technologies Limited, and others.

Mullings also discussed the importance of mentorship and how both the mentors and mentees should work together to make the programme memorable.

Dr Theres Chambers, head of the Department of Engineering at UTech, who brought attention to the need for programmes like this, said that the initiative gives the students peace of mind as they no longer have to focus on finding tuition fees. Further, she said that the initiative demonstrates a belief in the students, which can be a catalyst for change and encourages them to give back to their communities and assist in nation-building.

Chambers also explained that this initiative aligned with the school’s internal academic mentorship programme.