Amoako Evans and Felisha Henry are the first two recipients of the RBTT University of the West Indies (UWI) Endowment Fund. They will each receive a scholarship valued at US$10,000 (about J$890,000) to pursue full-time studies at the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

Offering congratulations to the students were RBTT Group CEO Suresh Sookoo; Minna Israel, presi-dent and country head, RBTT Bank Jamaica; Professor Alvin Wint, pro-vice-chancellor and board chair for undergraduate studies; and institutional advancement officer at the UWI, Beverley Hunter.

Important tool

They met with Evans and Henry during a luncheon held at RBTT corporate offices on August 4.

"Education is such an important tool for our youth," said Sookoo. "I am sincerely pleased that we can give these deserving students the opportunity to help them realise their dreams. At RBTT, projects like this are important to us because they demonstrate the RBTT spirit and our commitment to develop our young people, and the region as a whole."

Evans expressed his gratitude noting, "Even while working, just the thought of finding the total tuition for this academic year was so burdensome that all hope seemed lost, but with a never-say-never attitude, prayer and a firm belief in Christ, I received an email informing me that I was the recipient of the RBTT full scholarship."

Fund to mark anniversary

The fund was established last July in celebration of the UWI's 60th anniversary, with the bank committing J$40 million, invested over four years, as part of the endowment to finance scholarships for eligible students who are economically challenged.

Additionally, the students will have the benefit of mentors from RBTT Bank Country and Sales Adviser Jerome Smalling and Enterprise and Operational Risk Manager Karen Fuller.

Smalling advised the duo: "Karen and I can provide a realistic view into the working environment and can also help you to develop a sense of social and community responsibility for which RBTT is known."

From left: Suresh Sookoo, group CEO, RBTT, has the attention of Felisha Henry and Amoako Evans, the first recipients of the RBTT UWI endowment scholarship, during a luncheon held at the bank's corporate offices on August 4. Also present to congratulate the recipients are Minna Israel, president and country head, RBTT Jamaica; Beverley Hunter, institutional advancement officer at the UWI; and Professor Alvin Wint (right), pro-vice-chancellor and board chair for undergraduate studies. - Contributed