Contribution to Education

In a society with a 13% illiteracy rate it should come as no surprise that the Foundation's greatest contribution has been in the area of education. Over the past three decades, the Foundation has invested some US$1 million in funding scholarships to the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology, as well as in the provision of bursaries for children of GraceKennedy employees for their secondary and tertiary education.

Already we have begun to reap the rewards of our investment in education, as many of the recipients of these scholarships and bursaries are now making a contribution in their area of specialisation. Today the nation boasts several outstanding individuals who are members of the GraceKennedy Foundation Scholarship Alumni. These include Dr. Jennifer Knight Madden, the only paediatric respiratory specialist in Jamaica, Roderick Gordon, Attorney at Law, specialising in WTO laws; Dr. Maynard McIntosh, Ophthalmologist; Ingrid Mangatal, High Court Judge; and O'Neal Francis, Jamaican UN Mission; Prof. Marvin Reid, Director, Sickle Cell Unit, TMRU, UWI.

Scholarships

Please note that ALL scholarships offered by the GK Foundation are now closed for the upcoming academic year 2011/12
 

The GraceKennedy Foundation has five scholarships:

  • The GraceKennedy/Jamaica Scholarship, tenable at the University of the West Indies.

Application is made on the Jamaica Scholarship form, available at the Ministry of Education in February of each year, for students sitting A 'Level/CAPE Examination.

Application forms are also available at the University's Financial Aid Office in May of each year.

  • The Carlton Alexander Scholarship – available to past students of Jamaica College only and tenable in alternate years at the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology.

Application forms are available at the Principal’s Office, Jamaica College in April of each year.

  • The Bruce Rickards Scholarship – available to past students of Kingston College only and tenable in alternate years at the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology.

Application forms are available at the Principal’s Office, Kingston College, ; UTech/UWI Scholarships Office; or on-line at gracekennedy.com in May of each year.

  • Scholarship to The Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts – This scholarship rotates between the College’s four schools on an annual basis.

Application forms are available from the Registrar of the College in April of each year.

Assistance to the Universities

University of Technology

In 2003, the University of Technology, as part of its 45th Anniversary Programme, publicly recognised the GraceKennedy Foundation for its ongoing support of the University's scholarship programme since 1987.

The University of the West Indies

The GraceKennedy Foundation works closely with the University of the West Indies to address areas critical to the region's development. It currently funds two chairs at the UWI: The S. Carlton Alexander Chair in Management Studies and the James Moss-Solomon Senior Chair in Environmental Management.

  • The S. Carlton Alexander Chair in Management Studies
  • The James Moss-Solomon Senior Chair in Environmental Management