St Mary Education Trust commits $3.3m to education

The St Mary Education Trust (SMET) has allocated $3.3 million in scholarships and bursaries for the 2026 academic year, supporting students pursuing tertiary studies in fields ranging from healthcare and social sciences to engineering and agriculture-related disciplines.

The funding will be distributed through two programmes administered by the trust: the Sydney A. Phillips Scholarship Trust, which supports students from St Mary, and the Ernest Johnston Memorial Bursary, established by Jamaica Producers Group to assist students pursuing studies related to agriculture, shipping, manufacturing and business.

Established in 2020, SMET oversees a number of educational support initiatives, including a bursary programme for Jamaican students studying agriculture at EARTH University in Costa Rica. Recipients receive annual support subject to academic performance and programme requirements, including maintaining a grade-point average of at least 3.0.

This year, the Ernest Johnston Memorial Bursary allocated $900,000 to Rafique Reid, a third-year chemical engineering student at the University of Technology (UTech). The bursary, now in its 33rd year, will have provided more than $7.9 million in cumulative funding following this year’s award.

The Sydney A. Phillips Scholarship Trust allocated $2.4 million to three students: Toni-Ann Cain, a third-year midwifery student at UTech; Dahmoi Dozovado, a final-year social work student at The University of the West Indies; and Machel Wilson, a second-year psychology student at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. The scholarship programme is now in its 32nd year and has invested more than $30.3 million in tertiary education.

Reid said the bursary represented more than financial assistance.

“Being a recipient of this scholarship is deeper than simply receiving funding towards my education. It shows that an organisation truly believes in me as a person, in what I’ve set out to build in my career and in the dreams I carry for my future.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, SMET chairwoman Lisa McGregor-Johnston said the scholarships and bursaries were intended to support students as they pursue their academic goals.

“Here at the St Mary Education Trust, we believe in the future of Jamaica’s brightest minds; trust is not only in our name, but in our actions. We have the utmost faith in the recipients of our scholarships and bursaries, and I have no doubt they will all go on to do great things.”

She added: “To all the new recipients, our support is not intended to add any additional pressure during the school year, but to remind you that we are here for you. Never forget that you sit here today as recipients not by chance, but through your hard work over many years.”

Elizabeth Phillips, chair of the Sydney A. Phillips Trust and a director of SMET, said the programme continues to provide opportunities for new cohorts of students.

“To see new faces as recipients each year is truly heartwarming. The impact the Sydney A. Phillips Scholarship continues to have on our university students highlights how committed we are to supporting the youth of Jamaica, and we will continue to do so. Huge congratulations to all our new SMET recipients! We are extremely proud of you, and we look forward to your continued academic excellence.”