CB Group UWI 5K set for November 22

They are excelling in the classroom, breaking barriers in their chosen fields of study and, at the same time, making their mark on Jamaica’s sporting stage.

These are among the impressive young scholars who have benefited from the CB Group UWI 5K & Run With Passion Kids K, Jamaica’s premier university fundraising event, which returns for its 15th staging on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

The achievements of the scholarship recipients took centre stage at the launch of this year’s event on Thursday, when the UWI Regional Headquarters was filled to capacity with sponsors, students, scholarship recipients and other stakeholders eager to hear Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, chair of the CB Group UWI 5K, announce the names of the academically outstanding students selected for scholarships.

Among the recipients are students who are “at the top of their game” in sports while pursuing degrees in disciplines including banking and finance, medical and social sciences, software engineering, tourism management and other fields.

While The UWI and its generous sponsors continue to invest in their academic development, equal emphasis is being placed on supporting sporting excellence and Jamaica’s national sporting programme.

As a result, many scholarship recipients have gone on to represent Jamaica at the national level in disciplines including track and field, volleyball, basketball, football, cricket, discus, shot put and other sporting events.

The success of these young scholars underscores the powerful connection between education, sport and opportunity, and the impact investment in Jamaica’s youth can have on the country’s future.

Mona Access Programme

In his address at the launch, Professor Densil Williams, pro-vice-chancellor and principal of The UWI, Mona campus, delivered good news to students and stakeholders with the announcement of the soon-to-be-launched Mona Access Programme, an initiative aimed at helping to fast-track funding for more students unable to access tertiary education because of financial constraints.

“Our future heavily depends on human capital and we must make sure that our people have access to the highest level of education,” said Professor Williams.

He expressed concern about the number of students left behind each year because they are unable to finance their tertiary education.

Professor Williams cited the significant demand for places at The UWI, noting that approximately 16,000 students had applied for entry, with only about 3,000 being successful, underscoring the urgent need to expand opportunities for higher education.

While thanking the sponsors for their dedication to the cause, he emphasised that every contribution counts, noting that people do not have to be wealthy to make a difference.

“Whatever is given will help the cause,” he said.

The 15th staging of the event will take place on Sunday, November 22 on the UWI Mona campus, beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Race director Alfred ‘Franno’ Francis continues to share his passion for the event and also donates a scholarship in honour of his late sister, Claudia Francis Carnigan. This year’s recipient of the scholarship is Quacian Stewart, a student in the Faculty of Social Sciences majoring in economics.

Among the sponsors are CB Group, National Commercial Bank, CIBC Caribbean, I Print, Island Grill, NCB Foundation, the RJRGLEANER Group, Digicel Foundation, Salada Foods, Nationwide, Manpower & Maintenance Services, It’s Pixel Perfect, Jamaica Observer, Catherine’s Peak and Dunlop Corbin.

Registration is now open, with participants invited to register online at www.runningeventsja.com.

Registration fees are: adults, $2,000; groups of 25 or more, $1,500 per person; students, $1,000; and Run With Passion Kids K, $500.