Mr. Eustace Bird
First Secretary/Manager of the Jamaica Developers Association
The bursary given to students of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of Technology Jamaica. It is named after Mr. Eustace Bird, the first Secretary/Manager of the Association who served 22 years from 1969 to 1991.
History of the Bursary
Exploration
In February 1996 the JDA began to explore the possibility of teaming up with the University of Technology to assist students pursuing a Course in Construction Management.
Establishment
The award became a reality in February 1998 when our representatives presented a cheque in the sum of $250,000.00 to the President, to be managed by the U-Tech Foundation – the interest from which would be used to fund a Bursary – the “Eustace Bird Bursary” in honour of Mr. Eustace Bird, the first Secretary/Manager of the Association who served 22 years (from 1969 to 1991).
Disbursement
The 1st award was made in December 2004. The Bursary was then valued at $50,000.00.
Bursary Value Increased, Criteria expanded
The value of the Bursary was increased to $75,000.00 by 2010 and to $100,000 by 2012. The criteria was amended to include 3rd year Degree Construction Engineering Student who also maintain at least a ‘B’ average.
Criteria Expanded, Bursary Value Increased
The criteria was expanded to include Diploma and 4th year Construction Engineering Degree Students.
The value of the Bursary was increased to $150,000.00.
Criteria for Bursary
The Award, which assists with tuition, is given to students in the Faculty of the Built Environment who fit the following criteria.
- Completed 2 years of a 3 year course in
- Construction Management, or
- Construction Engineering
- Diploma and 4th year Construction Engineering Degree
- Maintained at least a ‘B’ average.
In addition to the criteria above, at the interview the candidates are assessed based on:-
- Academic performance (50%)
- Financial need (25%)
- Performance at interview (15%)
- Co-curricular activities (10%)
