THE British High Commission and JN Foundation on Friday announced a Chevening Scholarship Partnership Agreement which aims to empower outstanding Jamaican scholars.

The Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke Scholarship will be the first Chevening Partner Award to be established in Jamaica.

As part of this collaboration, the JN Foundation will co-fund one scholarship named in honour of the late Clarke, former chairman of Jamaica National Group, who died in 2020.

The scholarship will be provided annually over the next two years through the UK’s Chevening programme.

Chevening scholarships, known for their dedication to fostering future leaders, provide exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.

These scholarships are designed to equip scholars with the skills and knowledge needed to create positive change in their home countries.

This partnership between JN Foundation and Chevening is being hailed as a testament to their joint mission to enrich lives and build stronger communities.

It signifies a shared commitment to identifying and supporting outstanding and talented Jamaicans who embody excellence and who work diligently to improve outcomes, not only for themselves but also for fellow Jamaicans.

“We are delighted to have the JN Foundation as our first local Chevening Corporate Partner. For the last 40 years the programme has given hundreds of young Jamaicans the opportunity to study in the UK and advance their expertise. This collaboration with JN will help to increase the Chevening scholarship offering for Jamaica and is another powerful symbol of UK-Jamaica cooperation,” said British High Commissioner to Jamaica Judith Slater.

She was supported by Earl Jarrett, deputy chairman and chief executive officer of Jamaica National Group, who welcomed the collaboration.

“The partnership is another bridge for scholarship and exchange between Britain and Jamaica that will strengthen our ties and result in very positive development outcomes.

“JN is pleased to be leading this first-of-its-kind partnership for Chevening with Jamaica, which will provide meaningful opportunities for the scholars and the Jamaican society through thought and exposure,” said Jarrett.

The partnership has also been hailed as particularly significant as both Chevening and the JN Scholarship programme celebrate 40 years of providing opportunities to young scholars — marking four decades of commitment to education and Jamaica’s development.

Chevening scholarships have been a gateway for more than 55,000 professionals globally and more than 300 in Jamaica to advance their careers and make meaningful contributions to their countries in a range of fields.

The co-funded Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke Scholarship will cover the studies of students with an interest in social justice, public administration, data analytics and information technology, actuarial science, mathematics, and education.

Clarke also managed and chaired the 185-year-old Gleaner Company Limited for four decades, having served as managing director from 1976-2011 and chairman of the media entity for several years.

The application period for the 2024 Chevening Scholarship closes on November 7, 2023. All eligible Jamaicans are encouraged to apply via Chevening’s official website, https://www.chevening.org/.