UTech pharmacy student awarded $250,000-scholarship
THE Vernon Washington Robinson Sr Memorial Scholarship for 2018 has been awarded to Lori-Ann Webb, a third-year University of Technology (UTech) student pursuing the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme.
The scholarship, in the amount of $250,000, was yesterday presented to Webb at UTech’s annual Grace Allen-Young Memorial Lecture.
The funds will be channelled through the university’s College of Health Sciences and will assist with tuition, assessment fees, payment of student pharmacy association dues and other incidentals.
The Vernon & Leila Robinson Foundation, which sponsored the scholarship, seeks to empower Jamaican children and young adults through education, health and social service programmes.
Criteria for the scholarship award focused on academic excellence, leadership skills, professional discipline as well as community involvement. Candidates were also required to submit an essay on the topic: “How I can advance the pharmacy profession in Jamaica”.
Vernon Robinson Sr — a pioneer of Jamaica’s pharmacy profession for more than 50 years — made significant contribution to the profession’s public transformation. He also served as president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica from 1974 – 1979, and from 1985 – 1987. For his outstanding contribution to Jamaica’s pharmacy profession, Robinson was awarded the Order of Distinction.
The Vernon & Leila Robinson Foundation is a United States non-profit organisation established by the Robinson family in honour of their parents.
Yesterday’s award marked the first time that the scholarship was presented to a student at the University of Technology.