Some 500 students in Clarendon and Manchester are set to benefit from Jamalco’s education assistance.. Read more
Grateful students, staff, parents and Jamalcoans turned out to participate in Jamalcoans in Motion (JIM).. Read more
Executive members from the seven Community Councils in Jamalco’s operating areas in Clarendon and Manchester.. Read more
In observance of Road Safety Month, Jamalco conducted road safety sessions at schools, in its.. Read more
Fifty wall fans were presented to twenty-four primary schools in Jamalco’s operating areas in Clarendon and Manchester. The presentation exercise took place at the Jamalco Sports Club in Clarendon recently. The fans were donated to help schools cope with the unprecedented temperatures currently impacting the children during classes.
Managing Director of Jamalco, Austin Mooney said when the company became aware of the impact that the adverse temperature is having on students through the many requests from our principals we never hesitated to assist. “With the record-high temperatures causing catastrophic consequences, there are concerns that the students may experience severe heat stress because so many schools lack adequate ventilation and cooling equipment in the classrooms,” Mr. Mooney noted.
During the past summer, global temperatures rose to the hottest on record, reaching 17.18 degrees Celsius, or 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit on July 4 – the hottest it has been in 125,000 years. Experts are predicting that the extreme temperatures are here to stay because of the warming effect of the El Niño weather phenomenon, coupled with increased carbon dioxide emissions from industry and human activities.
And with the record-high temperatures causing catastrophic consequences globally, the Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) in August said that Tropical Pacific and Atlantic Ocean temperatures should remain well above average for some time.
Mr. Mooney noted that “if we continue to experience these temperatures as predicted, we will explore how we can further support the schools with additional fans in 2024.”
In reiterating the effects of extreme temperatures on students, Corporate Services Manager, Donna Marie Brooks, says “Extreme heat poses a significant threat to the well-being and academic performance of our students. Research has consistently shown that high temperatures negatively affect cognitive abilities, concentration levels, and overall productivity.” The company is installing two wall fans per school, and it is hoped that this will support an atmosphere that promotes focus, concentration, and overall productivity of students in schools.”
The fans donated to the schools is one of many ongoing initiatives by Jamalco aimed at strengthening educational resources in its operating communities. In August, the company “donated 14 million dollars in scholarships to over 80 secondary and tertiary students and back-to-school supplies to some 300 primary and high school students.
Principal of Tollgate Primary and Infant School, Dr. Carol Brown-Clarke, was overjoyed to receive the fans noting that they will be placed in the Infant Department because the younger students are suffering the most. “We are grateful to Jamalco for their assistance and the fans will go a long way in bringing a little comfort to the students,” she explained.
In the meantime, the Principal of Frankfield Primary and Infant School, Tori Carty shared similar sentiments when she delivered the vote of thanks. “I must thank Jamalco for not wavering in their support to the students and the schools in the communities in which they operate. They have never faltered in their substantive work to provide much-needed resources and continue to be an essential partner as we continue to work toward realizing our visions for our schools.”
Community Council
Residents Receive Bee Keeping Training
Some twenty-five residents from the
Port, Railroad, Harmons Valley, South Manchester and Mile Gully Community Councils
got the opportunity to learn more about bee keeping at a training session held
at the Mile Gully Primary School recently.
The
training was conducted by Regional
Beekeeping Officer, Bodles Research Institute, Wayne Anderson. During the training session, the
residents were taught the fundamentals of bee keeping, which included bee
colony assembly and management, selecting location and honey extraction as well
as how to detect when bees are accessing pollen. Mr Anderson while delivering
the training encouraged the group to be diligent and committed as “beekeeping
though a low maintenance project, when properly managed can provide excellent
returns.
Senior
Community Relations Officer, Phillip Biggs, explained that all the participants
were grateful for the training which afforded them the hands-on expertise to
share information and manage their respective projects as well as it was a reinforcement
of what they already learnt. Mr. Anderson has consented to visit individual colonies
over the next 6 months as a follow up to the training and so ensure that all
the beekeeping projects are operating as outlined.
The
bee keeping projects operated by the Community Councils and sponsored by
Jamalco are income generating activities for residents in Jamalco’s operating
areas.
In
all, Jamalco has donated bee keeping equipment and materials to establish the Community
Councils bee keeping projects.
Jamalco Appoints New Managing Director
Marvin Jackson is Jamalco’s new Managing Director. His appointment became effective on March 26, 2024. Mr. Jackson has oversight responsibility for all aspects of Jamalco’s operations. The announcement was made by Century’s Executive Vice President, Global Operations, Gunnar Guðlaugsson.
Mr. Jackson is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the bauxite alumina industry. He has served in various key leadership positions at West Indies Alumina Company (UC Rusal WINDALCO) and UC Rusal Alpart in Jamaica. His tenure as a General Manager at Norsk Hydro Brazil and Vice President and General Manager of Operations at First Bauxite LLC and Subsidiary Guyana Industrial Minerals (GINMIN) underscores his exceptional leadership skills and industry knowledge. During his career, Mr. Jackson has honed expertise in managing both low-pressure and high-pressure alumina refineries and bauxite mines which should prove beneficial to Jamalco. His career trajectory and wealth of expertise make him a valuable addition to Jamalco’s leadership team.
He succeeds Austin Mooney who demitted office earlier this month.
Jamalco Donates Computers to the Mile Gully High School
Computers valued at some $2m were officially handed over to Mile Gully High School under the company’s Computers in Schools Programme. The presentation exercise took place at the Mile Gully High School in Manchester.
In addressing the ceremony, Member of Parliament for Northwest Manchester, Mikhail Phillips applauded Jamalco for its commitment to Jamaica’s growth and development through consistent support of the community. The MP encouraged other donors to examine the needs of the community and target the development of human capital within communities.
In his remarks, Jamalco’s Managing Director, Marvin Jackson, urged the students to regard these computers as “instruments of empowerment and enlightenment. Let them ignite your curiosity, fuel your ambition, and propel you toward a future filled with promise and opportunity,” he stated. He commended the teachers, for their passion and dedication in shaping the minds of the students and noted that the donation of computers will support their effort at nurturing the next generation. “Together we are united in our commitment to education, innovation and the collective growth of our young people.”
Education Officer for Region 5, Sophia Brown-Sinclair, who represented the Ministry of Education, thanked Jamalco for “the excellent partnership which has resulted in the company equipping students for the technological era.” She also explained that this donation is in keeping with the Ministry’s Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) initiative which is designed to revolutionize the country’s educational system by improving performance at all levels of the education system.
Board Chairman, Miss Simone Scarlett, expressed gratitude to Jamalco for recognizing the needs of the school and showing foresight and vision by investing in the technological future of the students and the school.
Acting Principal of Mile Gully High School, Claudette Robinson-Shaw, expressed gratitude on behalf of the school for the gift of computers and a multimedia projector. She explained that the external examination pass rate will only get better for students sitting subjects such as Electronic Document Preparation Management (EDPM), AutoCAD as well as Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing because of this donation.
Jamalco’s Computers in Schools programme began in 2016 and since then Jamalco has donated 200 computer tablets to 28 primary schools within their operating areas. In addition, many schools and community organizations have benefited from the programme which has also offered basic computer skills training to residents in its operating areas.
The Mile Gully Primary School and the Mocho Police also benefited from computer donations during separate presentations in the community.
Jamalco and Century Aluminum Awards Over $22 Million in Education Assistance
Some 500 students in Clarendon and Manchester are set to benefit from Jamalco’s education assistance valued at over $22 million during the new academic year. The back-to-school assistance is awarded to students at all levels of the education system. The announcement was made at the company’s annual scholarship awards presentation exercise held at the Wembley Centre of Excellence recently.
In his remarks, Guest Speaker, and Secretary General of the Jamaica Teachers Association, Dr. Mark Nicely, encouraged the students to embrace this period of learning while being extraordinary. “Do not be ordinary and fit into the crowd. Break records and seize opportunities,” he charged. Continuing, Dr. Nicely also appealed to the students to conduct themselves with high level of morals, values and decency, and also encouraged parents to support and invest in their children.
Managing Director at Jamalco, Marvin Jackson, in his remarks, reinforced Jamalco’s commitment to building the capacity of students in its operating areas through education. Mr. Jackson told the students that the assistance from Jamalco is not financial aid but an investment in their future “a vote of confidence in your potential to excel and make a positive impact in society,” he stated. Mr. Jackson also reminded the students of the value of their education, “it is the key to unlocking your dreams and transforming your lives. I encourage you to focus on your studies, strive for excellence, and aim to meet the 3.0 GPA requirement to benefit from this scholarship each year. Your academic success is crucial, and we believe in your ability to achieve it.”
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, Century Aluminum, Rob Hoffman also reiterated Century’s commitment to helping to educate the nation’s children. He announced the continuation of the Century Aluminum’s High Achievers Award for the 2nd year. The company awarded scholarships totaling $5.25 Million to 15 students. Each student will receive $350,000. “This generous support is a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent, fostering academic excellence, and empowering our students to reach their full potential, “ Mr. Hoffman said.
Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Donna Marie Brooks, while congratulating the recipients, outlined that the company allocates about half of its community budget each year to education. “Our commitment to education is serious business and we are dedicated to empowering people and building their capacity,” she stated. Ms. Brooks outlined that nine Jamalco mentees will receive a scholarship valued at $2,250,000 while there are twenty one special grants totalling $2,520,000 and forty students will receive scholarships at a value of $8,000,000. In addition to the 70 tertiary students, there are 10 GSAT/PEP students who will receive bursaries valued at $40,000 each. Another 385 students from operating communities in Clarendon and Manchester who attend basic, primary, and high schools will receive book grants valued at some $3.85 million.
Student of G.C. Foster College and recipient, Briana Daley, in a testimonial outlined her challenging circumstances which could have inhibited her from continuing her education. She thanked Jamalco while explaining that “this support from Jamalco has strengthened my resolve to make the most of my education, to achieve my goals and to give back to my community of Mitchell town in a meaningful way.”
Jamalco’s education assistance programme began in 2008 and will continue for each student until the end of their tertiary education once they adhere to the criteria.
