New Fortress Energy, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company, has awarded $31 million in scholarships to 68 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students.

The students were presented with their scholarships at a handover ceremony held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, last Thursday (February 23). The scholarships will cover the 2022/2023 academic period for students from UWI, the University of Technology (UTech) and the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMU).

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, praised New Fortress Energy for their commitment to building the economy through the provision of crucial careers.

“New Fortress clearly shares our vision in increasing access to STEM education,” she said, adding that this requires many hours of “diligent study and financial sacrifice,” said Williams.

The Minister acknowledged the challenges facing many individuals, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, in pursuing tertiary education.

She expressed her pleasure at seeing companies such as New Fortress Energy “dedicating their time, effort and funds to ensure that they are playing a part in affording students the opportunity to pursue tertiary education and their career aspirations.”

Vice President of New Fortress, Verona Carter, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building a “robust and sustainable socio-economic nation, that is globally attractive and competitive.”

Carter explained that the scholarships will continue to support the “academic and overall growth of our young people.”

Shanelle Dale, a UWI recipient of the scholarship, expressed her gratitude for the support which will “ease the pressure” off her mother, and “opened up an opportunity for me to be on campus and be able to focus on my studies”.