St. George's residents Jamiilah Linton and Yolande Newton are recipients of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) of Grenada /University of the West Indies(UWI) Scholarships for 2004.

Resident Tutor of UWI Beverly Steele made the announcement during a ceremony held at Marryshow House on Tuesday.

The two are presently pursuing degrees in Business Management at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.

Linton's scholarship which will be for a period of two years is worth $40.000 while Newton will receive $60.000 for her three years at the University.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director Daniel Roberts disclosed that the Scholarship is available only to Grenadian nationals pursuing or intending to pursue a first degree in Business Management/Management Studies, Information Technology, Economics, Marketing, Finance and Accounting.

He pointed out that the funding which is granted for up to three academic years, is available due to the increasing cost students, especially from non campus territories, must meet to attend a Campus of the UWI.

The Managing Director stated that the advent of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) will create myriad career possibilities and it is important that young people be given every opportunity to equip themselves adequately in order to compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace, not only in Grenada but throughout the region.

Education Minister Claris Charles in her remarks at the ceremony encouraged NCB officials to consider making similar scholarships available not only to business students but those who are involved in education as well.

She was high in praise for the initiative taken by the bank, noting that brilliant people are unable to get help to pursue their studies due to a lack of finance.

The Education Minister reminded the recipients that they must continue performing well since their achievement will not only be an asset to themselves but the country on the whole.

Recipient Yolande Newton thanked NCB for providing the scholarship, noting that it is a valuable contribution to the development of the human resource capital of Grenada and the Caribbean on the whole.

She used the occasion to encourage other businesses to endorse the initiative of NCB and make more scholarships available to Grenadian nationals.

Newton promised that both herself and Linton continue to work hard and excel in their different areas of study. The NCB Scholarship was launched 10 years ago as the bank's way of giving back to the communities in which they operate.

NCB said it has decided to increase its scholarships to two this year as part of activities marking its 25th anniversary.

Funding for the scholarships were made available under the "Power to Make a Difference Programme" which the bank launched in March 2004.