Chevening scholarship broadens Jamaican graduate’s vision for education reform
Key Points(5)
- The Chevening/JN Oliver Clarke Scholarship has helped Jamaican education professional Najae Murray broaden his understanding of education policy and strengthen his ambition to contribute to the country's education reform efforts.
- After completing a master's degree in education and international development at University College London's (UCL) Institute of Education, Murray has returned to Jamaica, where he works at the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).
- He is applying the research, analytical and policy skills developed during his studies to discussions on higher education reform, graduate effectiveness and the future of learning.
- Murray received the inaugural Chevening partner award in 2024.
- The scholarship was named in honor of the late Oliver F.
The Chevening/JN Oliver Clarke Scholarship has helped Jamaican education professional Najae Murray broaden his understanding of education policy and strengthen his ambition to contribute to the country's education reform efforts.
After completing a master's degree in education and international development at University College London's (UCL) Institute of Education, Murray has returned to Jamaica, where he works at the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).
He is applying the research, analytical and policy skills developed during his studies to discussions on higher education reform, graduate effectiveness and the future of learning.
Murray received the inaugural Chevening partner award in 2024. The scholarship was named in honor of the late Oliver F. Clarke, former chairman of The Jamaica National Group and The Gleaner Company.
Initially apprehensive about adapting to a new academic environment in the United Kingdom, Murray said the diversity he encountered in London helped him feel at home.
"I surprisingly felt at home because there were so many diverse groups of people. It reminded me of home - 'Out of Many, One People,'" he recalled.
The academic transition also tested his confidence. While awaiting the results of an assignment, Murray questioned whether he could meet the demands of his new learning environment. Receiving a good grade, however, gave him a renewed sense of confidence.
"I called my family back home and said, 'Wow, I finally made it. I finally cracked the code,'" he said.
With a background in communication and professional experience at the UCJ, Murray had developed an interest in education policy and planning. He pursued the master's degree to better understand how education systems could support development in Jamaica and other low- and middle-income countries.
His studies exposed him to different approaches to educational challenges and the importance of understanding the social, economic and political circumstances in which policies are implemented.
An assignment examining the role of private school education in South Sudan was particularly influential. It demonstrated how educational concepts could carry different meanings across countries and why policymakers must understand local conditions before recommending solutions.
"It taught me that listening is much more important than responding, and that you have to understand how people themselves define education before you can try to offer solutions," he said.
The programme also strengthened his research skills, helping him examine issues more rigorously and consider different perspectives before reaching conclusions.
Since returning to Jamaica, Murray has increasingly applied those skills to discussions beyond his original areas of communication and public relations.
One example was the UCJ's Dennis Irving Distinguished Lecture, which he planned and organized under the theme "Quality by Design: Strengthening Higher Education Institutions for Graduate Effectiveness."
The event reflected his growing interest in how higher education institutions can better prepare graduates for a changing workforce and society. He said his experience at UCL helped him recognize the importance of incorporating international discussions about education quality and effectiveness into Jamaica's policy conversations.
Applying new skills beyond the workplace
Murray's efforts to apply his international experience in Jamaica also extend to community initiatives.
Working with members of his 2024-2025 Chevening cohort, he helped secure more than £12,000 through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Chevening Alumni Fund for a climate resilience education project.
The initiative, now in its implementation phase, will establish a programme to develop climate resilience ambassadors in six primary schools across Jamaica, with two schools in each county.
The project aims to help children understand and respond to climate-related risks, particularly following Hurricane Melissa and its impact on vulnerable communities.
Murray also wants young people to have a greater role in national education policy discussions. He argues that youth participation should go beyond token representation, with students' perspectives meaningfully informing decisions.
As the youngest person in his department, he believes his relatively recent experience within the education system gives him insight into the challenges students face. He hopes to use that perspective to help institutions develop policies and programmes that better address the needs of learners and communities.
Planning the next chapter
Murray credits the Oliver F. Clarke Chevening Scholarship, awarded through the JN Foundation, with influencing both his professional and personal development.
Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said his experience demonstrated the value of investing in individuals committed to contributing to Jamaica's development.
"Najae's journey demonstrates the value of investing in people who are committed to using their knowledge and experiences to advance Jamaica's development. Through the Oliver Clarke Chevening Scholarship, he gained more than an international qualification; he broadened his perspective, strengthened his research capabilities and deepened his understanding of how education can drive national progress," she said.
Allen added that the foundation was encouraged by his involvement in higher education policy discussions and community initiatives, describing his ambition to contribute to a more responsive education system as reflective of the leadership the scholarship programme seeks to nurture.
Looking ahead, Murray hopes to begin doctoral studies by 2028, focusing on education and innovative systems. He wants to explore how education policies can adapt to emerging technologies, new teaching approaches and the changing needs of learners.
His broader ambition is to see Jamaica take a more proactive approach to educational change rather than simply responding to developments as they arise.
"I have now found a passion in something far greater than myself," he said. "And I want to do the required work to ensure that I'm able to sustainably contribute to my country."
