• Category

  • Content Type

Advertisement

Shakeba Foster is 2017 Rhodes Scholar

By: , November 18, 2016

The Key Point:

Equipped with a remarkable track record of academic brilliance, Jamaica’s 2017 Rhodes scholarship recipient, Shakeba Foster, intends to use the training she will pursue at the illustrious Oxford University in the United Kingdom, to make a significant contribution to the country’s economic growth and development.
Shakeba Foster is 2017 Rhodes Scholar
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (left), congratulates Shakeba Foster on being named Jamaica's 2017 Rhodes Scholar during a brief ceremony at King’s House on November 17. At right is Jamaica’s Secretary to the Rhodes Trust and Secretary of the Jamaican Selection Committee, Peter Goldson.

The Facts

  • The brilliant University of the West Indies (UWI) graduate topped a field of 10 candidates (five males and five females), shortlisted for consideration and selection as Jamaica’s 2017 Rhodes Scholar.
  • Prior to the announcement, the Governor-General congratulated the candidates on their achievements and wished them continued success in their various endeavours.

The Full Story

Equipped with a remarkable track record of academic brilliance, Jamaica’s 2017 Rhodes scholarship recipient, Shakeba Foster, intends to use the training she will pursue at the illustrious Oxford University in the United Kingdom, to make a significant contribution to the country’s economic growth and development.

“I hope to gain not just more academics, not just more knowledge, but I hope to have an experience in forming relationships, in learning how I can actually make the best of this scholarship and how I can impact Jamaica and the youth in a positive way. So, I am just going out there trying to do my best and trying to gain all I can in all areas,” she tells JIS News.

The brilliant University of the West Indies (UWI) graduate topped a field of 10 candidates (five males and five females), shortlisted for consideration and selection as Jamaica’s 2017 Rhodes Scholar.

The announcement was made by Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House on November 17.

At only 23 years old, Ms. Foster says she is “excited and surprised” to have been selected the Rhodes Scholar for 2017, having edged out fellow nominees Jessica Yapp, Jordon Carty, Jacob Phillips, Michael Basir, Franz Brown, Jermaine Brown, Janelle Walker, Petagay Facey, and Sheniele Grant.

“Before I applied for the scholarship I was a little bit doubtful, so I took a while before I finished the application; and then coming here and seeing all these brilliant people, I did not think I would end up here, so I am just grateful,” she says.

Ms. Foster, who resides in the community of Riversdale in St. Catherine, praises her aunts and her mother for the supporting role they have played in her life over the years, pointing out that “they have definitely been a strong backbone to me”.

Already decorated with a Master of Science degree in Economics (MSc) (Distinction), UWI; and first-class honours, Bachelor of Science (BSc), Banking and Finance, UWI; and an Associate in Business Studies, St. Jago High School, Ms. Foster plans to pursue an MPhil in Economics when she takes up her scholarship at Oxford University next year.

Prior to the announcement, the Governor-General congratulated the candidates on their achievements and wished them continued success in their various endeavours.

“We hope there’s a way that you all can form an association which will impact Jamaicans, and let them learn from you because you are indeed models for the rest of youngsters in Jamaica,” he said.

Jamaica’s Secretary to the Rhodes Trust and Secretary of the Jamaican Selection Committee, Peter Goldson, said it was extremely difficult to select a winner, as all the candidates were excellent.

He said Ms. Foster stood out as the winner as she is very intelligent and very thoughtful.

“She has many thoughts about education in Jamaica, about its economic problems, about the IMF programme and the way forward, and I think she is someone who will make the Rhodes Scholarship Programme extremely proud,” Mr. Goldson said.

scholarx2
Jamaica’s 2017 Rhodes Scholar, Shakeba Foster (left), is congratulated by 2017 Rhodes Scholar candidate, Sheniele Grant, following the announcement ceremony at King’s House on November 17.

Ms. Foster’s awards and accomplishments include top student, MSc Economics graduating class, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, 2016; valedictorian nominee, UWI, Mona graduating class 2014; best performance in the Faculty of Social Sciences (highest GPA), UWI, Mona graduating class, 2014; best performance, BSc Banking and Finance, UWI Mona graduating class, 2014; Pan Caribbean Scholarship

Awardee, 2012; first-year prize, first-year student with the highest GPA, Faculty of Social Sciences, UWI, Mona, 2012.

Her leadership and co-curricular activities include President, Faculty of Social Sciences Honours’ Society, UWI, Mona, 2013-2014; Administrative Assistant, National Children’s Auxiliary,

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Ja. Inc., April 2012-present; Regional President, National Youth Department, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Ja. Inc., April 2016-present; Youth

President, Riversdale Pentecostal Church, January 2014-present; Member of Irvine Hall’s Female Football Team, UWI, Mona, 2012-2013; and Member of Irvine Hall’s Female Hockey Team, UWI, Mona, 2012-2013.

The Rhodes Scholarship is presented from the Rhodes Trust, which was established by British diamond magnate and imperial statesman, Cecil John Rhodes.

Last Updated: November 18, 2016

Skip to content