GoodHeartwork | UWI scholar Joseph Udoudo shines at GK Scholars’ Awards | Life-style

When Joseph Udoudo heard his identify referred to as a second time on the GraceKennedy (GK) Foundation 2025 Scholars’ Awards Ceremony, a large smile unfold throughout his face. Making his technique to the entrance of LT-50 on the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, he admitted later that this was one recognition he hadn’t anticipated.

His identify was already within the programme because the winner of the 2025 GK/Douglas Orane Scholarship, having superior from a advantage awardee within the Jamaica Scholarship class final 12 months. But the night held one other shock. He was additionally one among three students recognised for excellent educational efficiency, incomes a particular award for attaining a GPA above 4.0.

“It was pretty unexpected, but I am grateful for it,” the 19-year-old instructed GoodHeartwork of the particular award.

Udoudo was among the many 90 college students honoured at Thursday’s ceremony. For him, the second he obtained the decision that he had been chosen as this 12 months’s Douglas Orane Scholar felt like a full-circle expertise.

“Honestly, I was at home and I saw the call but I didn’t recognise the number. Anyways, I picked up the call and heard that I won, and I almost jumped out of my chair,” Udoudo shared, laughing in the intervening time. “It was really exciting because I was really stressed during the whole thing, like from the interview prep and the waiting period so it was a relief to get the call,” he added, noting that the award eases an enormous monetary burden.

The Douglas Orane Scholarship is awarded to a scholar pursuing research in STEM on the University of the West Indies, Mona or UTech and is valued at $500,000 yearly. Udoudo, now in his second 12 months at UWI, is majoring in pc science with a minor in electronics. When requested why he selected that subject, his reply was easy: he believes “that a lot of problems we have in the world can be solved through tech”.

“Over the summer for a [regional] competition I made a bus tracking app because at the moment in the JUTC system a lot of people are waiting around and not knowing where the bus is. I was able to recognise that as a problem because I experienced it for seven years in high school. So through the power of tech and computer science, I was able to create something to solve an everyday problem,” Udoudo defined, including that whereas the app isn’t formally out, he hopes to develop it additional sooner or later.

When it involves inspiration, the volunteer GK tutor stated his friends and associates encourage him each day, emphasising the significance of surrounding your self with like-minded individuals. As he spoke about his passions and the assist he receives from his dad and mom, his father, Precious Udoudo, stood close by, watching with quiet satisfaction.

“The dream of every parent is to see their child or children in this atmosphere. It’s more than money, it’s the joy…it’s my joy, my dream. Seeing someone coming from my [blood]…” Precious Udoudo paused, chuckling, “… being honoured gives me satisfaction and that’s why I encourage him and I support him. The sacrifice I’ve made, I know he deserves it.”

This 12 months’s ceremony additionally marked the introduction of the inaugural GK/Don Wehby Scholarship, introduced to UWI medical scholar Justin Preddie, whereas Alva McGrath obtained the advantage award.

rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com