At first glance Devene Sinclair looks like any average student – she loves music and enjoys playing tennis. But, in reality, her ‘average’ qualities are few. This outstanding student came from Jamaica to Dal with clear goals of success, thanks to the $22,000 Richard and Melda Murray scholarship.

Born in the rural town of Frankfield, Devene began excelling at a young age. She achieved the “Young Leader” level of girl guides and was in her school’s environmental club. She was also active in the Interschool’s Christian Fellowship (ISCF) program.

There’s a strong sense of community in Frankfield that Devene still draws upon for support. Her community expects all of its advanced students to seek opportunities for post-secondary education. In fact, Devene’s sister chose to study medicine in Cuba.

Following her own path

Devene opted for a degree in bioengineering. She knew she wanted to help people and bioengineering seemed to fit the bill. Her choice led her to the Murray scholarship.

“The scholarship was established by the Murrays in 2010, specifically for students from Jamaica studying engineering at Dalhousie,” says Oluronke Taiwo, the head of the Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC) at Dal.

The scholarship is renewable every year of Devene’s undergraduate studies as long as she maintains a certain GPA, which shouldn’t be a problem. “I hold myself to a higher standard, and being a scholarship-holder puts you in the limelight. People expect you to live up to it,” she says.

Devene is actively pursuing her dream of becoming a bioengineer and making significant contributions to Jamaica and her new home in Canada, and she doesn’t plan on slowing down before achieving her goals.

“When I have an assignment or busy day I just think, ‘let’s get this done.’”