The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) recognised over 29 children of staff members who were successful in the 2013 GSAT Examination at an award function held in commemoration of the UDC’s 45th anniversary on September 20, at the Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC). Each student received a contribution of $10,000 towards their educational development.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth and Culture, The Honourable Lisa Hanna, said “All of you have the potential to become legends and in order to achieve this, you need to always speak the truth, you need to have courage and always pursue excellence”. She also encouraged the students to be courageous throughout high school and to refrain from following the crowd, if the crowd is not heading in the right direction.
Also speaking at the event, Desmond Malcolm, UDC’s General Manager said, “As we honour you this afternoon, we recognize in you, students, the bright shining possibilities for tomorrow. You are here this afternoon because already you have demonstrated your capacity for achieving the very best. We encourage you to continue in this fashion as the current world we live in demands only the best.”
The UDC has been making a contribution to the nation’s education sector since 1978, when the Corporation provided social facilities for eight newly developed communities including three infant, three primary and two secondary schools at Naggo Head, Waterford and Bridgeport. The UDC’s involvement with education continued throughout the 80’s and 90‘s under the Comprehensive Rural Township Development Programme (CRTDP) which resulted in the construction and upgrading of several facilities islandwide. The UDC also made a contribution to the education sector in the parish of St. Catherine during 2000 when 1.3 billion was spent to construct 10 schools in a mix of basic, primary and secondary at Angels, McCauley Pen, Chedwin Park, Friendship, Silverstone and Cumberland. During 2002, the UDC collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Culture to implement the North Western School’s Programme which resulted in the construction of 17 schools in the north western end of the island at an approximate cost of J$3.8 billion.
This year the UDC celebrates its 45th anniversary. The Corporation was created by the Government of Jamaica in 1968, through a special act of Parliament to ensure that planned and orderly development takes place when and where it is need in Jamaica within the framework of national priorities.