Capital & Credit Financial Group (CCFG) has long recognised education as the building block to the success of any nation.

"Capital & Credit invests in education as a significant means of nation-building because experience has shown that students often make the transition of excellence from the classroom into their other areas of disciplines or their professional lives," says Michelle Wilson-Reynolds, CCFG's senior vice-president for group marketing and corporate affairs.

In recognition of the role that education plays in nation-building, Capital & Credit has been promoting excellence through its scholarship programme. Since 1996, CCFG has enabled close to 90 Jamaican students desirous of furthering their education, but who lack the necessary resources to do so, to pursue studies through full-time scholarships at secondary and tertiary levels. All scholarships are granted based on academic performance and financial need, and quite often, support is given to students for their entire course of study.

The group believes that giving back to society is an important mandate of any company or organisation which prides itself on being a good corporate citizen and is committed to the people and country within which it operates. Furthermore, Chairman and Group President of CCFG, Ryland T. Campbell, a former teacher, asserts that "an investment in education is a solid investment for life". Hence, for 12 years, the organisation has provided and consistently grown its scholarship programme.

Benefiting the country

Wilson-Reynolds observes that those students who excel in their discipline often become leaders, mentors or role models for their communities and the wider society and these are much-needed human resources for Jamaica's future growth and development.

Tanto Campbell, a Capital & Credit scholarship awardee in 2006 and Jamaica's bronze medal winner at the Summer Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008, is just one example of a Jamaican student who continues to excel to the country's benefit.

This young man, who is also a gold medallist and a former world-record holder, has defied the difficulty of his physical challenges to medal at the Games and has displayed a determination to achieve his best academically, in spite of his financial challenges.

Another remarkable example is Gavin Wallace, a 2003 CCFG scholarship recipient who recently spareheaded Jamaica's victory over the Leeward Islands in the West Indies Cricket Board Four-day regional match on January 11, and who was also dubbed Gleaner's 'Sports Performer of the Week'.

Win-win situation

"This is why we do what we do and seize the opportunity to give towards education, because one never know the levels of greatness that can be achieved when an individual gets the support needed to realise his or her true potential," says Wilson-Reynolds. "In the long run, it's a win-win situation for all," she adds.

Last year alone, 34 scholarships, valued at just over $2.6 million, were awarded for the 2008-2009 academic year. Of the total scholarships granted, 16 are for new students entering the Capital & Credit scholarship programme, while the rest are continuing-education students.

The scholarships allow students to pursue various courses of study at secondary and tertiary levels. At the secondary level, 23 students have taken up scholarships that will cover the cost of school-related expenses over five years.

At the tertiary level, the Capital & Credit scholarships will allow 11 students to pursue diploma and degree courses at The Mico University College, the University of Technology, Bethlehem Moravian College, Montego Bay Community College, the College of Agriculture, Science and Education and the University of the West Indies.

The CCFG scholarship programme selects awardees in collaboration with organisations, such as the Jamaica 4H-Clubs, the Jamaica Cricket Association, Hope United Church and the St Andrew settlement programme for the Children of Majesty Gardens, the S.O.S. Children's Village in Montego Bay and the Jamaica Paralympic Association, among others.

LEFT: Chris Walters (right), vice-president at Capital & Credit presents Kia Smith with her award.
RIGHT: Ryland Campbell (right), chairman and group president, Capital & Credit, presents Tanto Campbell with his award.