Nine students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, will benefit from $3.5 million in scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year provided by housing developers Gore Developments Limited.

Gore Developments has granted the scholarships for the sport of tennis, for six students at the undergraduate level and three students who are pursuing Masters of Science degrees at UWI, Mona.

The students are Antoinette Harris, Corey Lindner, Shavonique Morrison, Oswald Robinson, Theophilus Nelson, Serena Harjani, Sherona Forrester, Rushaine Goulbourne and Shelly-Ann Wilson. The areas of study for the recipients are economics, tourism management, banking and finance, management studies, accounting and medicine and surgery.

Among the awardees are recipients of the first tennis scholarships to be awarded at UWI, Mona - Serena Harjani, pursuing economics and accounting double major; and Theophilus Nelson, in medicine and surgery.

"I am so thankful for this opportunity and I can't express how much I appreciate this as it has taken a huge load off myself and my parents financially," admitted Harjani.

motivated

"I am very happy that Gore Develop-ments decided to take the initiative in supporting tennis because it doesn't get the attention and push it requires just like the other sports. This was a huge step and it has definitely motivated me and given me more confidence in tennis here at UWI, Mona, as well as tennis in Jamaica," she added.

Morrison, who is majoring in tourism management, said: ""I had no doubt that I was going to attend university, I just wasn't sure how I was going to afford it. I am very grateful to Gore Developments Limited for their support."

Professor Archibald McDonald, UWI's pro vice-chancellor and principal, lauded the effort.

"It is applaudable that we have companies who believe that the gift of education goes a long way in developing a nation. This gift is a representation of Gore's commitment to developing Jamaica," said McDonald.

Chairman of Gore Developments Limited, Phillip Gore, encouraged the scholarship recipients.

"With so much to struggle for in Jamaica, we look to these nine scholarship recipients to be a beacon of hope for the next generation of our nation's leaders. We look to them to be an example that with hard work and passion, anything is possible, and that holding yourself to a standard of excellence can be the path to your dreams."