Artistes inspire their listeners through their music, but it is few of them who inspire through their actions. Having aspired to higher education, deejays Tanya Stephens and Jeffrey Campbell, aka Assassin, are opening the eyes of others to the value of education.

In a time when some entertainers are involved in somewhat shady deals, lyrical warfare and a fast and loose lifestyle, it is not common to find an artiste with their head firmly in place. In 2006, Assassin was awarded a scholarship to study by Resource Development International (RDI) to pursue a degree online and this year, Tanya Stephens was awarded the same scholarship.

Both deejays are studying at the University of Sunderland in England, where they pursue degrees in Business Management through Internet-based classes. However, the likelihood that both scholarships (which are offered to one recipient each year) should be awarded to entertainers is a coincidence says Aldain Reid, regional director of RDI, North Caribbean.
 

The RDI is the world's largest independent provider of UK university distance learning education. According to Reid, RDI is a marketing firm that provides opportunities for students to study abroad. The programmes focus on management, information technology and education and azal institution, RDI looks for non-traditional students to promote the programme and inspire others. In Assassin and Tanya Stephens they found two intelligent public figures who have the potential to do just that.

Scholarship recipients have to qualify for entry academically in the first place.

However, seeing that it is likely both entertainers could easily afford to study on their own, the question is always asked why were they chosen? According to Reid, "we came up with the scholarship to expose as wide cross-section as possible to opportunities of higher learning. We looked for persons who were excelling in whatever field they are in, people who others know about. Persons who were looking to study might be inspired by these persons. So far Jeffrey (Assassin) is doing very well. I think he has shown people that if Assassin shows the need to go back to school than maybe there something there for me too. He has been so good, going around to schools and talking to kids".
 

However Reid emphasises that it is not a reggae scholarship; both persons were chosen and given the chance to accept or decline and both accepted. Reid testifies that having the two as recipients of the scholarship has sparked more interest in the programme by the general public.

Both entertainers are also ecstactic for the opportunity. In a previous article entitled 'Tanya Stephens thankful for scholarship', Stephens said "I have tried to apply to many places and I have been told that I have to be there 90 per cent of the time. And 10 per cent can't pay for the course".

She said that the set-up was ideal for "not just artiste, but people who have to hustle and not just sit out at the airport waiting for people like me. I have already begun to work. I enjoy a good challenge and I have already begun to rise to it. If you think local artiste stupid try come do some business with we. We shrewd. We a formalise what we know. This is a good step for artistes, good step for our culture, good step as role models".

Assassin has also been a standard bearer in promoting higher learning, telling the press that having a degree will not affect his street credibility but he is flattered to be offered the opportunity. At the end of his first year, he is top of his class