Eight university students from Jamaica will leave the island in August 2016 to pursue their education in medicine via the Cuba-Jamaica Cooperation Program for the 2016-2017 academic year. The students are Nicholas Campbell, Sanja Bonnick, Shanize Shanna-Kay Stewart, Brittnie Dahlia Paul-Ann Lee, Sheldon Fitzgerald Antonio Brown, Shannoy Powell and Dr. Marlon de Wayne Brown. Pursuing post-graduate studies is Dr. Tanisha Trusty. The students were selected from more than 300 applicants during a process implemented by the Cuban Embassy. The scholarship studies program, which covers tuition, accommodations, food, clothing, study materials, medical care and an allowance, will last for seven years; the first year will be focused on studying the Spanish language. The chosen students expressed their gratitude for receiving the scholarships. Dr. Ray Fraser, senior medical practitioner a Annotto By Hospital, was one of the first graduates of the program back in 1976. More than 55,000 students from some 134 nations have graduated from universities in Cuba under the program since its introduction. According to Dr. Fraser, the newly admitted students will gain knowledge in the field of medicine and participate in a “well-rounded and culturally rich experience” at the same time. Dr. Kevin Harvey, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, stated that Jamaica and Cuba will continue their good relations through this program.