As Anguilla becomes preoccupied with feting and frolicking, on the serious side of life the UWI Open Campus on the island awarded 140 students in various disciplines of learning on Tuesday evening, July 30 at the Teachers’ Resource Centre.
Manager of the UWI Open Campuses in the Caribbean, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, who chaired the proceedings, said the various skilled courses taken by the students were part of the mission and vision of the UWI Open Campus. “As the fourth campus of the University of the West Indies, it was established with the goal of meeting the needs of the wider Caribbean and the non-campus territories,” the Anguillian Sociologist/Educator explained. “The Open Campus is the campus of the future to enhance our students’ experience in innovative and continuing professional education in under-graduate and post-graduate and local courses.”
Minister of Home Affairs and Education, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, said the multiple training programmes, offered by the UWI Open Campus in Anguilla, gave many persons, who do not wish to leave the comfort of their home and family, opportunities to pursue higher education on the island. “I am sure that whatever course you would have undertaken required significant sacrifice on your part to complete it successfully,” she told the graduating students. “I can assure you that the time spent was a worthwhile investment and your sacrifice will pay off.”
The Minister added: “If you are interested in developing professionally, further education is absolutely necessary. I commend all of you for recognising the value of education and for ensuring that you keep with your programmes. Commendations are also due to the Open Campus Anguilla team for their continuing efforts in increasing UWI’s visibility in the community.”
The Certificate Courses were as follows:
• Basic and Advanced Conversational Spanish tutored by Mr. Colin Johnson: 20 students.
• Basic and Advanced Supervisory Management facilitated by Mrs. Anunika Webster-Lake: 21 students.
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education, and Principles of Teaching Young Children – facilitated by Mrs. Ellenita Harrigan and Ms. Icilma Webster respectively: 12 students.
• Creative Writing –facilitated by Mrs. Vanessa Croft Thompson: 7 students.
• Foundation Maths 1 & 2 –facilitated by Mr.Darwin Hazell: 24 students.
There was one student, Ms. Glenneva Hodge, who obtained a Certificate in Transformational Leadership.
In addition, there were Certificates of Participation in two workshops. The first workshop was on Compliance & Tax Transparency Standards and EU Substance: Requirements, Reporting and Reinvention. The facilitators were Ms. Simone Martin, Ms. Marisa Harding Harding-Hodge and Mr. Lonnie Hobson. There were 41 participants.
The second workshop was on Employment & the new Labour Relations Act in Anguilla. The facilitator was Mrs. Aunika Webster-Lake of Oasis HR Solutions. There were 11 participants.
