Each National Security scholarship is valued at $200,000 per year over three years, based on each student achieving and maintaining a 3.0 grade point average annually. The award ceremony took place on September 29 at Curphey Place in Swallowfield, St Andrew.

Security Minister, Robert Montague, said while education was a tool for upward mobility, the major achievement comes when the student figures out what to do with that education to better himself or herself. He said bachelor’s degrees are a dime a dozen today, so each student had to find ways to enhance that education for marketability.

“Don’t rely solely on your education to take you to your destination. Rather use it as a stepping stone.  Apply the education to your environment.  Volunteer with an organisation with which you want to work and get experience. Choose your mentor, don’t wait on a mentor to choose you. Many young people are qualified, but jobless. So, even as you pursue your studies, be strategic and think about the opportunities available to you,” he said during his keynote address.

Montague called on the National Security scholarship winners to take advantage of resources available to address issues and barriers that may prevent success. 

“Your parents and teachers have a wealth of experience and can provide useful advice.  There is also the Internet which has evolved to becoming the greatest platform for independence and self-growth. Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have become not only tools for self-expression and socialisation among the youth, but have become a career launching pad for persons who are now social media personalities,” he noted.

National Security Scholarship Past Winner!

It was also noted that popular blogger ‘Dutty Berry’ was one such scholarship recipient who went on to make a name for himself outside of the discipline he studied.

Source: loopjamaica.com