23 Jamaicans Selected as Chevening Scholars: Congrats to All!

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting the Jamaicans who had been selected for Chevening Scholarships in the UK. It was great getting to know them, and I am sure they benefited greatly from their year of study. This year, even more Jamaicans (and one Bahamian) are going off to the UK shortly. Please find the British High Commission’s press release below, as well as brief profiles of the 2016/17 Chevening Scholars. Huge congratulations to all (and a special shout out from me to two young activists, Kemesha Kelly and Nicolette Bryan!)

The British High Commission is pleased to announce that 23 Jamaicans and 1 Bahamian have been awarded the 2016-17 Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK.

The 2016-17 Chevening scholars are : Andrei Bennett, Nicolette Bryan, Major Brandon Chambers, André Coore, Philip Cross, Alecia Darby, Shannon Grant, Kethania Griffiths, Shamoy Hajare, Kerry-Ann Heavens, Kerri-Ann Henry, Marlon James, Kemesha Kelly, Courtney Laidlaw, Monique Long, Sherriffa Monroe, Rainée Oliphant, Kahmile Reid, Kemar Richards, Monique Rose, Kimberly Sherlock, Dwayne Tucker, Theresa Wright, and Dr Sean Knowles (Bahamas).The scholars were selected based on their track record of leadership, solid academic achievements and their passion for assisting their country’s development.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, David Fitton said “This is the highest number of Jamaicans to be awarded scholarships in one year. I am happy that we have been able to move our awards from 3 in 2013 to 23 in 2016. The increase is in keeping with a promise made by former Prime Minister David Cameron to double the Chevening allocation for the Commonwealth Caribbean during his visit to Jamaica last year. I know the scholars will have a wonderful time in the UK and will benefit significantly from this experience.”

The Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for 2017/2018 Chevening Scholarships and some Chevening Fellowships via http://www.chevening.org/ You may apply from 8 August until 8 November 2016.

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers financial support to study for a master’s degree at any UK university and the opportunity to become part of an influential global network of 46,000 alumni.

Andrei Bennett, Chevening Scholar.

Andrei Bennett is an Attorney-at-Law in private practice. Prior to transitioning to private practice, Andrei was a Procurement Practitioner employed by the Government of Jamaica. He has contributed to the public procurement reforms now being undertaken by the Government of Jamaica and is passionate about aligning Jamaica’s public Procurement functions with international best practices. He will be pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Public Procurement Law and Strategy at Bangor University, Wales. Andrei plays music in his spare time.

Nicolette Bryan, Chevening Scholar.

Nicolette Bryan is a human and women’s rights advocate with a growing interest in policy and Sustainable Development. She is a University of the West Indies trained Social Worker who is employed as the Programme Officer in charge of youth and outreach at J-FLAG. She is also the Associate Director: Youth and Outreach at Women’s Empowerment for Change. Nicolette will be pursuing a Masters in Social and Public Policy at Cardiff University in Wales.

Major Brandon Chambers, Chevening Scholar.

Major Brandon Chambers is currently serving as a pilot in the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing. He will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Applied Security and Strategy at the University of Exeter.

Andre Coore, Chevening Scholar.

André Coore is an Attorney-at-law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and an Adjunct Tutor at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, Mona. He will be pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law at University College London. André believes that this will enable him to play a greater role in the continued reform and effective implementation of Jamaica’s trade and foreign policies in order to increase economic growth and development.

Philip Cross, Chevening Scholar.

Philip Cross is an Attorney-at-Law employed to the National Environment and Planning Agency. Philip will be pursuing a Master of Laws at University College London with a focus on International and Environmental Law. He hopes to address issues on biodiversity conservation and climate change affecting Jamaica. In his spare time he is an avid classical guitarist.

Alecia Darby, Chevening Scholar.

Alecia Darby is currently employed to the Independent Commission of Investigations as a Chief Investigator. She will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Applied Security Strategy at the University of Exeter. Alecia enjoys the visual and performing arts, sports, reading, writing, and sewing.

Shannon Grant, Chevening Scholar.

Shannon Grant is employed to Nestlé Jamaica as a part-time Senior Nutrition Advisor. She is also a Lieutenant in the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force. She will be pursuing a MSc. in Human Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen.

Kethania Griffiths, Chevening Scholar.

Kethania Griffiths is a Research Assistant in the Office of Social Entrepreneurship, Mona School of Business and Management, UWI. She will be pursuing a MA in Social Entrepreneurship at Goldsmith’s College, University of London. Kethania is happy for the opportunity to pursue an area which is a driving force for social and economic development in Jamaica.

Shamoy Hajare, Chevening Scholar.

Shamoy Hajare is the CEO at Jamaica School for Social Entrepreneurship (JSSE). She is internationally known for her work in youth and community development and is this year’s Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for the Caribbean and Canada region. Shamoy will be pursuing a Master’s in Environment and Sustainable Development at University College London.

Kerry-Ann Heavens, Chevening Scholar.

Kerry-Ann Heavens is an Associate at the law firm, Myers, Fletcher & Gordon (MFG) where she practices in the Commercial Department. She will be pursuing a Masters of Corporate Law at the University of Cambridge. Kerry-Ann has a keen interest in entrepreneurial development and believes that a robust venture capital industry has the potential to stimulate growth through the financing of emerging enterprises. Upon completion of her studies, she aspires to make meaningful contribution to, among other things, the enactment of laws that will improve Jamaica’s business environment.

Kerri-Ann Henry, Chevening Scholar.

Kerri-Ann Henry is a consultant (short term) to the World Bank. She previously worked in the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). She will be pursuing an M.Sc in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management at the University College of London. Her most noted achievement is the application of the Rapid Visual Screening Methodology which has contributed to shaping policy for Seismic Readiness. She is a graduate of the University of Technology, Jamaica with a Bachelor’s in Construction Engineering Management.

Police Inspector Marlon James, Chevening Scholar.

Marlon James is a Police Inspector attached to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (M.O.CA.). He has been a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for the past 17 years. Marlon will be pursing an MA in Security and International Law at the University of Manchester. His main areas of interests are security, international relations, international law and Politics.

 

Kemesha Kelly, Chevening Scholar.

Kemesha Kelly is a trained youth advocate and motivational speaker. She has worked as Programme Manager and Consultant at Digicel Foundation and in the Youth and Adolescent Policy Division of the Ministry of Youth. She has served on government boards and represented Jamaica at numerous regional and international fora. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and a former Miss Jamaica Festival Queen. Kemesha will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Social Policy at the University of York.

Courtney Laidlaw, Chevening Scholar.

Courtney Laidlaw is currently employed to the Ministry of Transport and Mining, Government of Jamaica. He will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Infrastructure Engineering and Management at the University of Surrey.

Monique Long, Chevening Scholar.

Monique Long is an Attorney-at-Law and youth and human rights advocate. She has managed the Policy and Advocacy portfolio at Equality for All Foundation and acts as the Executive Director of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network. As a local and international advocate, she has influenced policy and advocacy positions for youth, women and other vulnerable groups on a national and global scale.

Monique will pursue her Master of Laws Degree at Queen Mary University of London.

Sherriffa Monroe, Chevening Scholar.

Sherriffa Monroe is an Acting Senior Bank examiner at the Bank of Jamaica. She will be pursuing a MSc. in Economics and Finance at the University of Bristol. She is keen on promoting financial literacy and financial inclusion as essentials to Jamaica’s economic health and development. She is also a passionate youth advocate who enjoys mentorship and outreach activities.

Rainee Oliphant, Chevening Scholar.

Rainee Oliphant is the Senior Legal Officer in the Forestry Department of Jamaica and Head of its Legal and Enforcement Division. She has held this position since 2009 and oversees the Agency’s regulatory and legislative framework. Ms. Oliphant’s pursuit of a Master of Science in Climate Change and Environmental Policy at the University of Leeds will significantly increase her capacity to contribute to the development of the island’s policy agenda.

Kahmile Reid, Chevening Scholar.

Kahmile Reid is the Senior Public Relations Officer at the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). Her interests lie in the areas of philosophy and communication; she believes effective communication is achieved when parties engage in empathetic listening and apply critical thinking. She will be pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in International Public Relations and Global Communication Management at Cardiff University.

Kemar Richards, Chevening Scholar.

Kemar Richards is a Senior Analytical and Policy Officer at Bank of Jamaica. Kemar will be pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Banking and Finance Law at University College London. He has worked on projects geared towards enhancing the country’s legal financial architecture including the development of Jamaica’s Agent Banking framework.  Whilst at the central bank, he has also served in other capacities in the sphere of financial sector regulation and supervision. Kemar has a diverse academic background, holding Honours degrees in Actuarial Science as well as Law from the University of the West Indies and the University of London respectively.

Monique Rose, Chevening Scholar.

Monique Rose is a project architect in the private sector. She will be pursuing a Masters in Environment and Sustainable Development at the University College London. Monique plans to use her background in the built environment to become an advocate for the country’s sustainable development.

Kimberly Sherlock, Chevening Scholar.

Kimberly Sherlock has a passion for national development and believes that the inclusion of persons with disabilities is critical for sustainable development to truly be achieved. She will be pursuing a Master of Science in international Development with specific focus on Poverty, Inequality and Development at the University of Birmingham. She is founder of the Bloom Foundation for Education, providing support to educational programmes for children with disabilities. Kimberley is also the Director of Social Services at the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.

Dwayne Tucker, Chevening Scholar.

Dwayne Tucker is a senior medical technologist in the Department of Pathology at University of the West Indies Mona. He will be pursuing an MSc in Oncology at the University of Nottingham. Dwayne is keen on cancer research and plans to focus on diversifying the laboratory diagnostic techniques available for cancer in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Theresa Wright, Chevening Scholar.

Theresa Wright has been an active member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for fourteen years. She is assigned to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) where she has been a Crime and Intelligence Analyst for over ten years. She will be pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations (Security) at the University of Birmingham. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Studies from the Northern Caribbean University. She is passionate about having a positive impact on the Law Enforcement efforts in Jamaica.

Dr. Sean L. Knowles, Chevening Scholar.

Dr Sean L. Knowles is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica. He currently works in the Department of Psychiatry at Sandiland’s Rehabilitation Centre in Nassau. Dr Knowles will pursue studies in the Immunology of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. His goal is to be an infectious disease and mental health expert in The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean. In his spare time, Sean enjoys traveling, weight-lifting, jogging, socializing, and watching movies with his family.