National Rums of Jamaica has officially launched its charitable arm, the NRJ Foundation, as a way to give back to the communities in which the company operates.
During the official launch held on Thursday, March 28, 2024, the new non-profit announced the NRJ Foundation Scholarship as its first order of business.
“Over the years, NRJ has consistently sought to improve social welfare in our communities in Clarendon, Trelawny and Innswood, St Catherine. The organisation has spearheaded various infrastructure projects in partnership with public and private entities, contributed to the physical improvement of various community areas and partnered with the fire and health departments on a number of initiatives.
These projects have had tremendous impact on community members, and now with the establishment of the foundation as a separate, independent entity, we will be able to formalise and maximise our outreach efforts,” said NRJ Foundation Company Secretary, Joseph Robinson.
At the official launch event, which was at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, representatives from the foundation outlined that its focus for future projects will be on driving social change in the broad areas of healthcare, infrastructure and education.
The first undertaking by the foundation will be its inaugural National Rums of Jamaica Foundation Scholarship for the academic year 2024 – 2025. The scholarship, valued at $500,000 will be awarded to two students in the upcoming academic year and will be open to students who are pursuing or are about to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of the West Indies, Caribbean Maritime University, and University of Technology in Jamaica in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Chairperson and Director of the NRJ Foundation, Martha Miller explained, “With the launch of the scholarship, we hope to meet a genuine need for funding and support for our community members to pursue tertiary education. Likewise, with the foundation now officially established, we can formalise and amplify our Engineering and Management internships to foster more opportunities for these surrounding community members to gain experience and acquire valuable skills.
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”Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, who gave the keynote speech at the launch, emphasised the importance of charitable initiatives such as the NRJ Foundation Scholarship. Explaining that the cost of pursuing tertiary education can be crippling, often going beyond tuition fees and forcing many students to defer or exit the education system, she congratulated the NRJ Foundation for establishing the scholarship.
“I am happy to welcome and endorse this excellent example of corporate social outreach which reinforces the importance of partnerships in the education sector.” Stated Minister Williams. “The objectives of the NRJ Foundation are in perfect alignment with the Ministry of Education and Youth’s priority policies and programmes that include a strong focus on technical vocational education and training (TVET) in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes.“
Applications for the NRJ Foundation Scholarship will open in June and close in July of this year.
This scholarship, as well as the announcement of other NRJ Foundation initiatives such as the inaugural back-to- school fair for communities in Trelawny, Clarendon and St Catherine was also lauded by the Member of Parliaments from Trelawny Northern, Tova Hamilton and Clarendon South Eastern, Pearnel Charles Jr.
Minister Charles Jr., who was on hand to share remarks during the occasion, welcomed the establishment of the foundation, calling it “expanded and amplified support for the communities.“
The National Rums Foundation has adopted the vision of promoting the well-being of all Jamaican citizens for the advancement of the nation as a whole. Directors of the NRJ Foundation include Martha Miller Michael Dunkley and Natasha Broodie.
Source: National Rums launches charity, funds $1million in STEM scholarships | Loop News | April 2, 2024 02:09 PM ET – Updated April 2, 2024 02:23 PM ET