Jamaican Revenue Investigator Tahje Wallen Wins ICCR Scholarship for Forensic Accounting Study in India

Tahje Wallen, who serves as a revenue investigator with the Revenue Protection Department (RPD), has secured the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship to complete a Master of Business Administration in forensic accounting and fraud investigation at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in India. Classes are set to begin in July.

Wallen graduated from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He will spend two years on the postgraduate course as part of his effort to build Jamaica's skills in financial investigation and public accountability.

The ICCR award opens doors for students from abroad to take up undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, while fostering cultural ties and academic partnerships between India and partner nations.

India's Government created the NFSU under the National Forensic Sciences University Act, 2020. The university holds status as an institution of national importance and concentrates on forensic science teaching, research and building specialist capacity to respond to rising worldwide demand.

A qualified accountant with over eight years of work spanning accounting, finance, education and youth development, Wallen said his current RPD responsibilities closely match the field he plans to deepen through graduate study.

The RPD probes fraud and corruption linked to Customs, along with cases touching other revenue bodies and levies such as General Consumption Tax, stamp duty, transfer tax, income tax and property tax.

On why he picked forensic accounting, Wallen said: "I chose forensic accounting because I want to assist in the detection, prevention, and investigation of financial crimes and corruption in Jamaica. There are too many financial crimes and corruption taking place, and I would like to be a part of the solution."

He expects the higher-level training to equip him to play a stronger role in national development. Over the next few years, he plans to come back to Jamaica and remain in public service, focusing on probes into revenue violations. Further ahead, he aims to set up a local centre to prepare professionals in forensic accounting and financial investigation.

Wallen has also taken courses in financial management and disbursement, supervisory management, investment and portfolio management, crime and security management, project management, investigating money laundering, taxation, supply chain management and scrum fundamentals, and holds the Scrum Fundamentals Certified credential.

His civic record includes launching the Youth Education Association in June 2020. The non-profit has aided more than 1,000 students through back-to-school drives, reading workshops, CSEC classes and work-experience placements.

He was immediate past president of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Youth Council and serves as treasurer of the National Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica, acting as a national youth adviser to the Government. He has also held positions with Generation 2000, the Caribbean Risk and Disaster Management Youth Platform and the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica.

In 2023, Wallen received the Prime Minister's National Youth Award for Excellence in the nation-building category and was named an I-Believe Initiative Ambassador under the Governor-General's Programme of Excellence.

UTech, Jamaica President Dr Kevin Brown praised Wallen's selection. "UTech, Jamaica is proud of our alumnus Tahje Wallen on his selection for the prestigious and competitive ICCR scholarship to pursue specialised knowledge in forensic accounting and fraud investigation, which are significant areas impacting national development.

"Wallen embodies the calibre of graduates we seek to produce at UTech, Jamaica's national STEM-focused university, graduates who are prepared to lead, solve complex challenges, and make meaningful contributions locally and globally. We look forward to welcoming him back to Jamaica, where the knowledge and expertise gained through this international opportunity will further support our nation's development."

Wallen is urging fellow Jamaicans to look into awards such as the ICCR programme, which he said can help people gain niche expertise and give back to the country's progress.