Marubeni Power International’s latest educational investment underscores a strategic shift from traditional corporate philanthropy to targeted talent development, with nearly US$25,000 in scholarships awarded to five UWI Mona electrical engineering students positioned to transform Jamaica’s energy landscape.
Mo Majeed, managing director of Caribbean operations and chief operating officer of Marubeni Power International, distinguished this initiative from conventional corporate social responsibility during the ceremony at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus on Wednesday (May 28).
“At Marubeni, we do not view our scholarship program as charity. We view it as an investment in you, in this region, and in our shared future,” Majeed declared to the assembled recipients and dignitaries.
“As engineers in the power sector, your work will literally illuminate lives. This is both a tremendous responsibility and an extraordinary privilege. The energy challenges facing our region – from hurricane resilience to the excessive cost of imported fuels – are indeed global challenges. When you solve problems here, you develop solutions with worldwide relevance,” Majeed addressed the scholars directly, emphasising their global significance.
The partnership between the Japanese multinational and the UWI Endowment Fund represents a deliberate strategy to address regional energy challenges through local expertise development. Recipients Alician Lawrence, Theoden Ellis, Martin Gentles, Darren Passley, and Breanna Bisnott were selected through rigorous evaluation, including academic performance, professional references, and leadership interviews.
Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica Yasuhiro Atsumi reinforced the international dimension of this educational partnership, praising “Marubeni’s commitment to empowering the next generation of talented Jamaicans with engineering skills.”
The ambassador’s presence underscored Japan’s broader commitment to Caribbean development through strategic educational investments.
Dr. Venesse Morrison-Leon, project lead and transformation officer at the Ministry of Education, positioned the programme within national development priorities. “Marubeni is playing an active role in building a more knowledgeable, innovative and self-reliant society. The scholarship programme will assist the recipients in developing the systems, the technologies, and the solutions that our country and our region require,” she explained, before offering direct encouragement to the recipients: “To the five recipients, this moment should be a stepping stone for you, a reminder that you are seen, you are supported, and you are believed in.”
Carla Seaga, CEO of the UWI Development and Endowment Fund, demonstrated the transformative potential of such investments by sharing the inspiring story of Rochelle Stephen, a 2023 Marubeni scholarship recipient who became the first in her family to attend university.
“Education can change the trajectory of a life,” Seaga stated, illustrating how individual educational achievement creates broader social transformation and generational impact.
The collaborative approach extends beyond financial support to mentorship and professional development, creating pathways for graduates to contribute directly to Jamaica’s energy independence goals. Dr Lindon Falconer, deputy dean of quality assurance at UWI’s Faculty of Engineering, noted that Marubeni is “lighting the path” for future engineers, acknowledging the company’s role in bridging academic excellence with industry requirements.
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt gratitude from scholarship recipient Breanna Bisnott, who spoke on behalf of her fellow scholars. “This scholarship is more than just an award, it’s a vote of confidence in our potential,” she expressed, capturing the collective determination of all five recipients to honour this investment through their academic and professional achievements.
Majeed’s philosophy resonated throughout the ceremony as he articulated Marubeni’s long-term vision: “We recognise that the most valuable resource in the Caribbean is not bauxite or tourism or even sunshine – it is the brilliance and determination of the people.”
As these five exceptional students embark on their enhanced academic journeys, they carry with them not merely financial support but the hopes and expectations of a nation poised to achieve energy independence through its own intellectual capital. Their success will illuminate not just homes and businesses, but pathways for future generations of Jamaican engineers who will find that excellence, when nurtured and supported, knows no boundaries. In their achievements, Jamaica glimpses its own limitless potential.
Jamaica Highlights 