An animated Russell Hadeed (second left), chairman of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), shows off the football jersey which the PCJ presented to University of Technology student Shanroy Dennis (left), inaugural recipient of the PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship. Dennis, 23, who is pursuing a master of science degree in renewable energy engineering, will receive $4 million over two years to cover the cost of tuition for his postgraduate programme. The presentation was made at a luncheon held on Wednesday at the PCJ Auditorium in New Kingston. Among the guests at the function are Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley (right), and associate professor Noel Brown, head of the School of Engineering, UTech.
The Inaugural PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship Winner
Twenty-three year old Shanroy Dennis is the inaugural recipient of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Renewable Energy Scholarship tenable at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTECH). Dennis, who is pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering, is the winner of a $4 million grant, payable over two years to cover the full cost of tuition for the duration of his postgraduate programme.
Boasting an impressive track record of excellence in academics, he graduated from Glenmuir High School with honours and 10 distinctions in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and went on to earn an additional 10 distinctions in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations.
Dennis attended UTech, on a Glencore Scholarship where he was on the Faculty of Engineering’s Honour Roll for all four years of his undergraduate programme and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours. He was named a Sagicor Inspire Project Future Leader in 2016 and was the recipient of the Jamaica Institute of Engineers Award for the Most Outstanding Jamaican Engineering Student in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at UTech, Ja. in 2017.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dennis was also actively involved in extracurricular activities and student affairs at UTech, serving as first Vice President and Director of Communications of the Engineering Student’s Council, Captain of the School of Engineering’s Cricket Team and a member of the UTech, Ja. Rotaract Club.
The scholar was officially introduced by the PCJ at a luncheon which was held on Wednesday at the PCJ Auditorium in Kingston. While addressing the function, the PCJ’s Chairman, Russell Hadeed said, “The PCJ is very pleased to award this scholarship to Mr. Dennis as he furthers his academic pursuits. We wish him every success and we hope that he will use the knowledge gained through his studies to contribute to his country’s development.”
In response Dennis said “I am sincerely thankful to be awarded the PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship. Through this award, I am now able to complete my Master of Science Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering which will not only fuel my personal development but also equip me with the requisite knowledge and skillset to contribute to Jamaica’s renewable industry.”
While delivering the keynote address at the luncheon Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister, Science, Energy Technology said, “Congratulations to our scholar, Mr. Shanroy Dennis, I cannot over stress the importance of renewable energy in the strategy to achieve energy security as a nation and I know that he will use this opportunity to make a solid contribution to Jamaica’s energy sector in the future.”
He added, “I commend the Petroleum Corporation Jamaica and the University of Technology for conceptualizing and implementing the PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship and I look forward to reaping the fruits coming out of this symbiotic relationship.”
The PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship will be offered annually to a post graduate student seeking to pursue a Master’s Degree in Renewable Energy at the UTech, Ja’s School of Engineering. The university will shortly be inviting applications for the 2018/19 scholarship.
PCJ Forges $5 Million Partnership with UTECH for Renewable Energy Studies
PRESS RELEASE – The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) have forged a partnership under which the Corporation will provide $5 million in financing to bolster research and development as well as scholastic endeavours in engineering and energy at the academic institution.
The PCJ has also made a grant of $1 million available to underwrite the cost of research projects being undertaken by students in UTech, Ja’s School of Engineering (SOE). In addition, the Corporation will be providing approximately $4 million to fund the PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship, which will be tenable at the SOE.
For the research initiative, at least four projects will be formulated and carried out each year by selected students which will deal with areas that directly impact the PCJ’s mandate. The students, who will work under the supervision of experienced instructors, will explore practical applications in subjects including solar energy, biomass and biofuels.
Upon completion of projects, the reports, data and any other relevant information gathered through the research process will be submitted to the PCJ who will have the option of implementation. The approach will facilitate capacity building in engineering while allowing the PCJ to benefit from research information.
The PCJ has also established a scholarship which will be awarded to a student wishing to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Engineering: Renewable Energy at the SOE. The scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition for the duration of the successful applicant’s programme of study.
UTech Ja, advertised the scholarship earlier this year and a shortlist of candidates is currently being finalised from the applications received. Interviews will be scheduled within the coming weeks and the inaugural recipient should be announced before the end of the current academic year in June. To seal the deal, both institutions signed a partnership agreement at the PCJ’s Resource Centre today.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the PCJ’s Chairman, Mr. Russell Hadeed said, “I am delighted to be a part of an initiative that will provide students with much-needed resources to carry out research projects that can drive innovation and development in Jamaica’s energy industry; and I am confident that both the research programme and the PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship will be beneficial, not only to UTech and the PCJ but the entire country.”
In response, UTech, Ja President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie said, “UTech, Jamaica wholeheartedly welcomes this productive partnership with the PCJ as a perfect fit with the direction in which the University is moving towards; leveraging our expertise, knowledge, use of technology and innovation to impact the country’s development.”
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, who endorsed the signing said, “I am confident that this partnership with academia and government will further improve on our savings of over J$131.5 million in energy expenditure, under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Project (EECP), as the proposed research projects outlined, in addition to the others proposed, are designed to improve on our existing renewables programme.
This will allow the government to redirect capital saved from reduced energy expenditure into critical social and physical infrastructure spend, for overall sustainable development and prosperity.”
“We look forward to the contributions that will be made by UTech’s School of Engineering and the students who will be beneficiaries of the PCJ’s Renewable Energy Scholarship and research grant,” he added. (excerpt from the JIS, published March 15, 2017)
