UCCI receives new scholarship funds

The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) received CI$500,000 from the Peter N. Thomson Family Foundation to establish a new scholarship for UCCI students. The Peter N. Thompson Family Foundation –UCCI Scholarship is designed to help recruit and support students who are driven to improve the Cayman Islands in areas including liberal arts, social sciences and the sciences. Up to 14 scholars a year will receive up to $2,500 in financial aid to cover tuition, fees, books and supplies, and is renewable each year for a two-year period, to pursue an Associate degree, or for four years if they are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.

The scholarship is available for students in need of financial aid, and students must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) at the bachelor’s level and 2.25 at the associate’s level if they plan to embark or continue with their tertiary studies at UCCI in the Spring or Fall 2020 Semester.

Dr. Stacy McAfee, UCCI Preident and CEO said: “The Scholarship programme has been created to empower young Caymanian minds with higher education studies at UCCI so that they can become influential leaders in the Cayman Islands to make meaningful and lasting contributions to the islands. Mr. Thomson believes in the transformative power of inclusive education, and his philanthropy supports his beliefs. These are investments in the role that education has around individuals to achieve their potential and become leaders within their community and organisations. We acknowledge today the important influence the Thomson family has had in positively changing the Cayman Islands in so many w

Peter A. Thomson, representing the Peter N. Thomson Family Foundation, said: “We believe that increasing educational attainment across the country is key to the development of a prosperous, healthy and peaceful Cayman Islands, and we act on that belief by offering support to the full-time students of UCCI in order to help build the next generation of great Caymanians.” He also added that his family, “wanted to give back to countries that became our home,” which included the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas too. Mr. Thomson said that, while the Foundation would not be involved in the selection process, it was hoped that the scholarship would help to fill some of the gaps in provision, by providing funds for areas which were not always traditionally so well-funded.

Philip Scott, representative of the Ministry of Youth Sports Agriculture and Lands brought a message from Minister Hon. Juliana O’Connor Connolly: “We in the ministry recognize the financial burdens that many students may face as they pursue their dreams. It is for that reason why we provide ample overseas scholarship opportunities through our scholarship secretariat. We also acknowledge that there is need for far greater assistance than we are able to provide. It is our hope that this program will spur other members of our community on to challenge their resources towards building of our nation through education. We encourage public and private partnership in our mission to best serve the needs of our community. It is important that we work together to develop a workforce that is filled with skilled and competent workers, if we are to progress as a thriving and strong nation.”