As a member of this high profile Jamaican delegation, the Hon. Michael Henry, Minister of Transport and Mining, announced that the Jamaican Government (GOJ) will be awarding ten Chinese students scholarships to study at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) in Jamaica. 

“This marks an important juncture in the Jamaica – China relationship and it is an important element for the development of CMI as a new University. The CMI has been able to place 98% of its students in quite important jobs and ones that enable them to earn at a higher level. The maritime industry is one of the proud areas of development for the Caribbean and all of Latin America,” remarked the Minister.

Jinghui Liu, Secretary General of the China Scholarship Council (CSC); Li Meng, Deputy Director of CSC’s Division for American Affairs; JullietMair, Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Mining; Hillary Robertson, Senior Technical Advisor to the Minister of Finance and Cherett Campbell, Minister Counsellor at Jamaica’s Beijing Embassy were all on hand to witness the announcement.

China has extended government scholarships to hundreds of students across the Caribbean and Latin America. To date, the Jamaican Government is one of the first countries in the region to return the favor through this inaugural scholarship program. In addition, under the previous administration, technical assistance was offered to four Chinese students who are currently participating in a two year programme at Jamaica’s GC Foster College of Sports. In 2015, six Chinese coaches were also trained in sprinting techniques at this renowned Jamaican institution.

CHINESE STUDENTS GET SCHOLARSHIPS FROM JAMAICA: The Hon. Michael Henry Minister of Transport and Mining (centre) shares lens time with Jinghui Liu (left), Secretary General of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Li Meng, Deputy Director of the CSC’s Division for American Affairs. Occassion was the announcement of the Jamaican Government's decision to award Chinese students scholarships to the Caribbean Maritime Institute in Jamaica.

The five-year CMI scholarship programme will cover the tuition costs amounting to US$500,000 (US$10,000 annually per student). The first year will be devoted to English language instruction as well as Jamaican and Caribbean cultural studies.

Interested students may select from the following Bachelor’s degree programmes:

• BSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management

• BSc International Shipping

• BSc Cruise Shipping and Marine Tourism

• BSc Port Management

• BSc Customs Processes, Freight Forwarding and Immigration

• BSc Marine Transportation

• BSc Security Administration and Management

• BSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

• BSc Marine Biotechnology

• BEng Industrial System

• BEng Marine Engineering

• BEng Mechatronics

• BEng Automation

It is well known that the Caribbean Maritime Institute is internationally recognized as a centre of tertiary maritime education in the Western Hemisphere. It was established through a joint partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the Kingdom of Norway to train professional seafarers. The institute has extended its reach globally and has received several international certifications and accreditation some of which are authorized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The scholarship announcement is in keeping with the Jamaican Government’s commitment to facilitating the joint development of both countries. This comes fast on the heels of the recent purchase of the Alpart Bauxite-Alumina Refinery by Jinquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO)located in China’s Gansu Province. Through both direct and indirect investment, JISCO is prepared to inject approx. US$2 billion into the country’s economy. It is also estimated that some 2,800 jobs will be created once the facility is in full working order. The JISCO signing took place during Minister Henry’s visit to Beijing in 2016, with a follow up meeting last week with JISCO’s head Mr. Chen Chunming.