Dr. Rhodd Urges University Graduates to give back to Their Communities

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, Dr. Donald Rhodd has called on University graduates to give back to their communities. “I urge graduates to return to their communities and give back as you have received,” Dr. Rhodd said.
He was speaking at the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) first anniversary and Founder’s Day celebration, yesterday (January 17), at the University’s Worthington Avenue campus in New Kingston.
Dr. Rhodd pointed out that a large percentage of graduates from the rural areas chose to stay in the urban areas to work after leaving school, and they could contribute much if they returned to the communities to assist in their development.
He commended the university, which came about as a result of the restructuring of Institute of Management Sciences /Institute of Management and Production (IMS/IMP) last year, for providing access to quality and diversified programmes.
The State Minister also praised Founder of the university, Winston Adams for his insightfulness in creating the institution. “I commend Mr. Adams for his vision and translating the vision into positive action,” he said.
“Access to tertiary students has increased significantly over the past, due to the influx of overseas universities. Your role in national development cannot be understated,” he added.
The UCC currently operates in conjunction with overseas universities, such as the University of London (UOL) and Florida International University (FIU), to provide full time and part time degree and diploma programmes for students.
In his address, Mr. Adams, who is also Chairman of the University, highlighted the growth of the institution in one year, and noted that there was much work to be done towards training the workforce at a global level.
“The recent report of the Task Force on Education shows that there is much work to be done. Our workforce has to be trained at a global standard,” he said.
Frank Trocki, President of the University revealed plans to regionally expand the institution. “We have plans to expand the UCC to Trinidad and the Turks and Caicos Islands. We want to import as well as export students,” he noted.
The UCC has four other campuses. They are at Oxford Terrace and Old Hope Road in Kingston; Montego Bay in St. James; and Ocho Rios in St. Ann.