Education Minister Endorses Newly Launched NRJ Foundation

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, has welcomed Thursday’s (March 28) launch of the National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ) Foundation at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

She said the Foundation is an excellent example of corporate social outreach, which reinforces the importance of partnerships in the education sector.

“Charity foundations have played significant roles over the years in enabling bright and ambitious students to reach their goals with the financial support provided at critical times in their lives,” Minister Williams stated.

She said the Foundation’s objectives are in perfect alignment with the Ministry’s priority policies and programmes, inclusive of a strong focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programmes.

“These are areas of emphasis in the transformation programme, now under way. As you know, in today’s globally competitive environment, where skills and certification are hard currency, we see TVET as an essential conduit to supplying the job market with highly competent and productive citizens who can help to increase Jamaica’s participation in the modern industrial, and information and communications technology revolution,” Mrs. Williams stated.

The Education Minister also welcomed the Foundation’s inaugural scholarship, valued at $500,000, to be awarded to two students.

The scholarship targets students who are pursuing or about to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of the West Indies, Caribbean Maritime University, or University of Technology Jamaica in the fields of agriculture or engineering.

For his part, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., also welcomed the scholarship programme’s launch.

“That focus is something which is instrumental… your support through the scholarship and the support to the communities; what it is doing and what it will do is going to shape lives and change the trajectory and possibilities for persons,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Director, NRJ Foundation, Martha Miller, said that in 2021, National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ) recognised the pressing need to empower communities across Jamaica.

“From [this] recognition, the Foundation was born. We are not just any Foundation. We are a passionate force for change and a non-profitable organisation that has been weaving threads of compassion and support since our inception in April 2023,” Ms. Miller said.

“Our Mission is crystal clear – ‘to bolster Jamaica’s future by strengthening its communities’. Education is at the core of our mission. We firmly believe that by investing in the minds of our youth, is investing in the very future of Jamaica itself,” she added.

The Foundation is NRJ’s philanthropic arm, and was incorporated to spearhead engagements aimed at advancing community development through education, healthcare, and infrastructural development.