The University College of the Cayman Islands is preparing for the next academic year with record student registration and a new crew to help steer the college on its vision of education for all who have the potential and passion to learn.
Since taking up the presidency in 2006, Mr. Hassan Syed has brought an innovative approach and focus to the university, ushering in a new era of learning. UCCI is evolving into a competency based learning centre that will help graduates gain meaningful qualifications that create a win-win situation for both students and employers, states a press release.
An advantage of competency based learning is that students practice the theory of what they’ve learned making them better prepared to apply their knowledge in the workplace.
Although he has spear headed the initiative of learning that embraces all those who have the potential to learn, those who deliver the university’s programmes and courses will be instrumental when it comes to inspiring and igniting a passion within its graduates.
A combination of new and returning faces has come together to create the most diverse and talented team in the history of UCCI.
‘In order to foster the necessary workforce required for Cayman’s future economic success, UCCI needs to offer the entire community the opportunity to learn,’ says Kathleen Jackman, UCCI’s Business Development manager. ‘In order to instil the competencies that the business community requires, we need professionals who can steer our students’ development.’
At the start of the 2007/08 academic year, UCCI is welcoming an exceptional group of people that will ensure that UCCI meets its mission as an institution.
‘I am excited to add so many bright and talented professionals to our already dynamic team. We have assembled an international team with tremendous academic and corporate experience that will benefit our student body in countless ways,’ said Dean Mr. Brian Chapell, remarks,
The Departments of Computer Science and Information Technology, Mathematics and Science, Arts and Humanities, Continuing Education and Professional Studies, and Business Studies are all welcoming widely experienced professionals to guide students to a brighter future.
Mr. Kwabena Asamoah brings a wealth of experience from the workplace and the classroom in computer science and information systems, including his project leader experience for Y2K compliance for the Ministry of Science and Technology in Canada. Mr. Alex Mathew, originally from India, brings extensive teaching experience from the Middle East to this growing department. Revathy Ravichandran rounds out the new recruits in the department, contributing to both Associate Degree and Certificate programmes.
Mr. John Frederick has an MBA with specialisations in marketing and finance. A former vice-president of Wachovia Bank, he brings valuable experience to the Business Studies department. With more than 15 years of corporate experience in Jamaica, Mr. Ansel Tempral will also join the Business Studies Department. His assets include accounting designations from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica, the USA, and the UK.
Ms Erica Gordon joins the Department of Arts and Humanities after spending the last seven years at Sam Sharpe Teachers College in Jamaica and Mr. Keith Jardim originally from Trinidad, has spent the last several years teaching at universities in Bermuda and Houston. As a literature expert, he will enhance language and literary studies at UCCI.
Mr. John Locke’s expertise in math and physics has been gained at universities in Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Ms Laurette McGregor brings experience from Illinois State University and Heartland Community College to UCCI students. Mr. Kevin Ruth has a wide range of academic and corporate experience and will teach a range of mathematics and statistics courses. He also carries qualifications in actuarial science and financial analysis.
Mr. Lennon Bhagwandin, an environmental consultant from Toronto, has also taught chemistry and organic chemistry in Grenada and is an ideal candidate to help develop chemistry and environmental sciences at UCCI.
In Certificate programmes, Fenslie Smith and Leroy Ferguson join UCCI from Heart Trust NTA in Jamaica. Their expertise in electricity and construction technology will form the backbone of the new competency based certificate programmes in these areas. Tony Nasr started out in physics but found that his true success came from teaching developmental mathematics.
Karry Stewart has enjoyed similar success teaching competency based English and Communications at community college in Canada.
Together, they will greatly enhance the literacy and numeracy of UCCI’s certificate students.
Among the familiar faces is Kevin Hudson who, having already undertaken some in-house training in Microsoft applications will join UCCI full time to continue with that as well as assisting with network support.
Deborah Chambers, former director of the UWI Distance Education Centre, is now a full time member of the Department of Continuing Education and Professional Studies where she will contribute to the competency based certificate programmes.
Linda Appelqvist, who has been teaching part time at UCCI since 2004, will now teach a range of classes in English and Spanish on a full time basis.
In addition to all of the new faculty and staff members, Lucille Kong assumes the role of head librarian after four years as library assistant. Lourdes Pacheco joins the library staff as the full time library assistant. Her love of books and her background in accounting and inventory control combined with Ms Kong’s leadership and experience should ensure the library is in safe hands.
Tracey Hargrave takes up that post of chair for the Department of Mathematics and Science, while Mr. Robert Weishan becomes Chair of the Department of Business Studies. Mr. John Thompson is the new director of Executive Training and Graduate Studies.
Related Videos
