The Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) and the Markonia Foundation recently formalized their commitment to supporting the educational pursuits of SJPI students by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, 13th, August, in the Media Resource Centre at the SJPI, marked an important achievement in the combined endeavors to empower young individuals in their academic journey.
The MOU, which is set to last three years and may be amended by mutual consent, outlines both parties’ specific roles and commitments to advancing the recipients’ educational opportunities.
Principal Ian Drakes spoke highly of Mark and Sonia Corbin during the signing ceremony. He praised the generosity displayed by the founders of the Markonia Foundation, who are both past students and past employees of the institution, describing it as exemplary of a family coming home.
“This is the family interest coming right home from the diaspora to the SJPI to say, here is your opportunity. We had our opportunity as students, we had our opportunity as instructors, we are citizens of this country, and we will continue to give back to the SJPI. We thank them tremendously.”
Under the terms of the MOU, the Markonia Foundation will offer the Annual Markonia Award of $900.00 to two first-year students entering the SJPI. Additionally, the foundation will provide representation from its local Advisory Board on the SJPI Scholarship Interview panel to determine the scholarship recipients. The scholarship funds will be remitted to the Accounts Division of the SJPI for disbursement to the successful recipients.
On the other hand, the SJPI has committed to advertising the Annual Markonia Award to prospective students, providing a link for students to make applications for the scholarship, and facilitating the interview process in partnership with the local Advisory Board of the Foundation and Guidance Counsellors of the Princess Margaret Secondary and Springer Memorial School. The institute will also provide reports to the Foundation at the end of each semester, along with recommendations.
Both parties have agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to foster an enabling environment for students that supports academic success.
In a statement following the signing of the MOU, Mark and Sonia Corbin, founders of the Markonia Foundation, they expressed their dedication to inspiring positive change and providing support to the young people of Barbados. They shared their vision of equipping young individuals with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of defining their future paths and enabling them to become effective contributors to their community.
“Today is significant for us, and as Mr. Drakes said, family, which I think is the right word, we’ve always felt that the SJPP, and now SJPI, is quite an important part of who we have become as people. When we reflect on our lives and where we’ve got to in terms of our careers, we always go back to the foundation of what happened in that period when we were students, not just at our secondary schools, Princess Margaret and Springer, but also that real foundation that went in here at the Polytechnic (SJPI). So, this is an important step for us, and it’s really essential for us to keep supporting the young people who will be the future of Barbados.”
The agreement also outlines the eligibility criteria for scholarship applicants, emphasizing the importance of citizenship, academic pursuit at the SJPI, and prior education at specified secondary schools.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of Barbadian youth in skills training and creating opportunities for them to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors. It represents a concrete step towards building a brighter future for the youth of Barbados and ensuring that they have the support and resources they need to thrive in their educational pursuits.