Eighteen-year-old UTECH 2nd year computing student, Francois Graham is the 2009 recipient of the Bruce Rickards Scholarship. The annual scholarship which is in its 8th year, is awarded by the Grace Kennedy Foundation to a KC student of outstanding academic achievement, in memory of the first chairman of the KCDTF, Bruce Rickards who was also a manager of Grace Kennedy and also a director of the Foundation. The Scholarship which is awarded to Bruce Rickards’ alma-mater, was first announced by the Chairman of the Foundation, Douglas Orane, at Rickards’ funeral at St Andrew Parish Church in 2001.
Graham entered KC in 2003 fresh out of Excelsior Primary. In 2008, he attained 10 CXC ‘O’ Level subjects and grade 1 in the following: chemistry, physics, biology, math, english, information technology, social studies, history and english literature. Rather than moving on to sixth form, Graham opted for university and entered UTECH to pursue a degree in computer science. According to him, he chose this route because he wanted to start a degree as early as possible. He hopes to be a lecturer in computer science.
Music is his hobby and he often plays the keyboard. A devout Christian, Graham is a member of the Jehovah Witness Movement.
The Bruce Rickards Scholarship alternates between UWI and UTECH and mainly covers tuition and can be extended to cover books, boarding and other costs depending on the circumstances of the student. Graham's scholarship is for three years at J$300,000 per annum.
This is the 8th year of the Bruce Rickards Scholarship and the other seven recipients who preceded Graham were:
2002-Greg Walcom: He studied law at UWI Mona and Cave Hill and obtained LLB Degree Upper Second Class Honours. He is presently in private practice.
2003-Dwayne Morrell: When he was awarded the scholarship, he was a third year Business Administration student at UTECH majoring in production and operations management. He graduated with a BBA degree in 2004/05.
2004-Dwayne Burrowes: The headboy of 2002/03, completed his BSc degree in mechanical engineering From UWI St. Augustine in 2005/06.
2005-Junior Gowie: The UTECH mechanical engineering student recently completed his 4 year degree programme at that University.
2006–Asad McKenzie: Completed his final year at Mona when he attained a BSc degree in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
2007-Andre Campbell: He is now a final year mechanical engineering student at UTECH.
2008-Roger Grant: Presently a second year UWI student in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
