UCC and Kiwanis International Partner to Empower Future Leaders from the Kiwanis EC&C District
Photo 1: From left: Professor Bernadette Warner, Deputy President, UCC; Professor Colin Gyles, CD, President of UCC; Pam Rodney-White, Governor of the 2024-2025 Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District of Kiwanis International, Kiwanis Club of Constant Spring; Lee Kuan Yong, Kiwanis International President; and Dr. Winston I. Adams, OD, JP, Founder & Group Executive Chairman, UCC/SPECTRUM Groups, at the UCC Scholarships for Kiwanis Eastern Canada & the Caribbean District Signing Ceremony.
Photo 2: EC&C Governor Pam Rodney –White with (L-R) Kiwanis Key Club Governor Joshua Bertram (SLP member), Kiwanis Key Club Caribbean District Administrator Christopher Humber, and Kiwanis Key Clubber Aidan Rampair (SLP member)
Kingston, Jamaica, March 4, 2025 —The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) and Kiwanis International’s Eastern Canada & the Caribbean District (EC&C) are proud to announce a historic initiative offering over J$9 million in scholarships to ten outstanding students.
The scholarships were launched at a ceremony on February 21, 2025 at UCC’s main campus in Kingston, graced by the presence of Dr. Winston I. Adams, OD, JP the Group Executive Chairman and Founder of UCC/SPECTRUM Groups; Professor Colin Gyles CD, President of UCC; Lee Kuan Yong, Kiwanis International President from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia; and Pam Rodney-White, Kiwanis EC&C District Governor. This esteemed assembly underscored the international collaboration and support behind this initiative.
At the launch event, Professor Colin Gyles stated, “We are cognizant that many qualified students are not able to pursue higher education, not because they lack ambition, but because they lack financial resources. That is why we are partnering with Kiwanis, today to bridge this gap. These scholarships provide financial support to students who might otherwise find it difficult and a major challenge to access tertiary education. To achieve this, the UCC has partnered with the Kiwanis EC&C, a district of Kiwanis International, to introduce this scholarship programme to support students from Eastern Canada and the Caribbean islands who have shown commitment through the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programme”.
Starting in the summer of 2025, UCC will award ten (10) scholarships per academic year to outstanding students who are or have been members of the Kiwanis’ Service Leadership Programme (SLP), a series of service-learning experiences that empowers students to become effective leaders through helping others. Through this programme, students learn to work together, develop strong characters, and gain valuable life skills which prepare them to become active and engaged members of society.
This generous partnership between UCC & the EC&C District will provide a total of J$912,000 JMD to each recipient over the course of two years, covering tuition for an undergraduate Associate Degree programme.
The UCC-Kiwanis EC&C District Scholarship Programme is designed to recognize and support the academic excellence and community involvement of young individuals across Canada and the Caribbean. Students admitted to UCC's Associates degree programmes will have the opportunity to apply for this prestigious scholarship, which will cover the entire duration of their studies.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic performance, active participation in the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programme, and a commitment to community service. The scholarship is open to new students admitted to UCC's diverse range of undergraduate degree programmes, including business administration, information technology, education, law, and health sciences.
This scholarship is part of UCC's ongoing efforts to make quality tertiary education accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints. By investing in these young leaders, UCC and Kiwanis aim to create a ripple effect of positive impact across the EC&C District and beyond. The event was more than just a scholarship launch; it was a celebration of potential, achievement, and the collective support of our academic community.
For more information on the UCC-Kiwanis EC&C Scholarship Programme and how to apply, please visit the UCC website at www.ucc.edu.jm/scholarships
