Jerome Garwood to pursue Master’s in Construction Economics and Management at University College London 

University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) alumnus Jerome Garwood has been awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, one of the United Kingdom’s most competitive and distinguished international scholarship programmes. 

The scholarship will enable him to deepen his expertise in construction economics and management and apply this knowledge to Jamaica’s development, particularly through more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable infrastructure delivery.

Beginning in September 2026, Jerome will pursue a Master of Science in Construction Economics and Management at University College London (UCL), ranked among the world’s leading universities and internationally recognised as the number one institution for Architecture and Built Environment studies.

Jamaica’s continued investment in infrastructure makes expertise in construction economics, project management and sustainability particularly important. As the country seeks to develop infrastructure that can withstand increasingly severe weather events while making the best use of limited resources, the young scholar hopes to contribute to projects that are resilient and responsive to Jamaica’s long-term development needs.

Jerome, who currently works as a Quantity Surveyor for the Government of Jamaica, was raised in rural Hanover as the youngest of three children by a single mother.  His early education was marked by significant financial challenges.  There were times when attending primary school consistently depended on receiving transportation assistance and school lunches through the support of caring teachers.

After leaving high school and spending a year working a minimum-wage job, he made a life-changing decision to pursue higher education. “I realised the value of higher education after missing out,” Jerome recalls. “I made a promise to myself that if I ever got the chance, I would make the absolute most of it.”

That promise became a reality.  Jerome excelled academically and immersed himself in student leadership, earning a full scholarship to the University of Technology, Jamaica, where he was named valedictorian and graduated from the Faculty of the Built Environment with a remarkable Grade Point Average of 3.79, earning him First Class Honours in 2024.

Since graduating, he has received national recognition for both academic excellence and community impact. His latest achievement, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, marks another significant milestone in an already inspiring journey.

At UCL, Jerome will build on his academic foundation and professional experience in quantity surveying by developing expertise in construction economics, project management, and sustainable engineering. His goal is to lead the delivery of infrastructure projects that are “not only efficient and cost-effective but also sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change.”

Following his studies, Jerome intends to return to Jamaica to contribute to national development through infrastructure leadership, policy development, research, and higher education. He also hopes to mentor and inspire the next generation of construction and engineering professionals, sharing, “my goal is to nurture a new generation of professionals who are technically skilled, ethically grounded, and responsive to Jamaica’s unique development needs.”

Reflecting on his achievement, Jerome shared advice that has been shaped by his own experiences:  “I was told by a teacher in high school to be realistic after mentioning some of my goals. My advice to anyone reading this: never be realistic. Believe in your wildest dreams until they become your reality.”

Jerome also credits his faith as a guiding force throughout his journey, drawing inspiration from Ephesians 3:20–21:  “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”