Applications for Cuba/Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship Close Today

Applications for the Cuba/Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship will close on Friday, October 14.

The full scholarship helps successful candidates pursue graduate and post graduate studies in the medical field in Cuba.

It is a long-standing programme between Jamaica and Cuba spanning as far back as the 1950s and is managed by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

Director of Workforce and Planning at the Ministry, Donovan Leon, told JIS News that the scholarship was put on hold after 2019 due to the pandemic.

He explained that, generally, six persons are selected for the scholarship to study medicine and nursing.

“Typically, it is four undergraduate spaces usually for the medical sciences. We have seen in the past that we have one for nursing and then two for postgraduate studies. For the postgraduate studies, this is for persons who would have also graduated from a Cuban medical programme as well,” Mr. Leon said.

Persons who apply for undergraduate studies must demonstrate high academic performance in their Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

“You must be below the age of 25 and have CAPE 1 and 2 in Biology and Chemistry and another subject, probably Physics or Mathematics. It’s for seven years. Your tuition and medical expenses, etcetera, are covered in full. You get a stipend from the Cuban Government and counterpart stipend from the Government of Jamaica, but airfare to and from is the responsibility of the applicant,” Mr. Leon noted.

Other criteria for selection include community involvement and an ability for the applicant to demonstrate where he/she sees himself/herself in the development spectrum of Jamaica. Successful candidates are bonded for five years to the Government of Jamaica.

Mr. Leon advised suitable persons to apply, as it is a great opportunity.

“It’s an opportunity to advance themselves. Cuba has some of the best trained doctors in the world. It’s an opportunity to experience their culture and represent Jamaica as a scholarship recipient. You’ll also return and transfer some of the knowledge and skills that you would have gained from our Cuban colleagues,” he said.

Applications for the Cuba/Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Application forms are available online at mof.gov.jm/scholarships.