By Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterTHREE LAWYERS, a journalist and a dermatologist are this year's recipients of the British 2004/05 Chevening Scholarships.
The recipients are Cassandra Brenton, senior reporter at The Jamaica Observer; Narda Graham, executive assistant at the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Dr. Robert Sue-Ho, senior registrar at the University of the West Indies, Rolande Pryce, crown counsel at the attorney-general chambers and Lisa Palmer, deputy director of public prosecutions.
Phil Sinkinson, deputy British High Commissioner, said that the recipients had done exceptional as they were selected from some 300 applicants. "This year's competition was extremely tough. We had over 300 applicants and from those 300 we had to choose five and that was a difficult proposition but we managed it and we think that we have got five excellent candidates," he said.
A GOOD BALANCE
Commenting on the selection, Mr. Sinkinson said, "We think that we have found a good balance for this year's Chevening. We know that they will make a significant difference both in the United Kingdom where they are studying and indeed when they come back."
Dr. Robert Sue Ho, one of the recipients, who works with patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, told The Gleaner that the scholarship will afford him the opportunity to explore skin treatment for persons suffering from this illness.
"My main focus has been working with patients suffering from HIV/AIDS and a majority of patients have skin problems and we find that additional studies in that area would assist in giving more care to those patients," he said.
Dr. Sue-Ho will be studying for a diploma in dermatological Science at the University of Wales.
OPPORTUNITY
For Rolande Pryce the scholarship is an "opportunity to be in a place where there are persons from a lot of different cultures and (to learn) from some of the best specialists in these areas."
She will be doing a master's in public international law with a focus on trade. She has been working in the public sector since 1996.
"I am a patriot. I love my country and I really want to see it improved and I think you have to do something about that rather than talk about it."
Being chosen as one of the recipients of this year's scholarship is a "miracle" for Lisa Palmer. "It is something that I have always desired and I know that at the end of it I would have gained a tremendous amount of experience and I would have been better able to contribute to the development of my country and the ... government service."
Lisa will be doing her master's in human rights law.
Williams, education manager at the British Counsel, said that the Chevening Scholarship, which was revamped in 1997 "aims to improve the social and economic well-being of Jamaicans by targeting persons who demonstrate potential to have a higher positive impact in areas identified of being in need of development or improvement."
