Dominica State College Dominica - Agriculture
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C-EFE PROGRAM- INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTION’S PROFILE AND TERMS OF REFERENCE DOMINICA STATE COLLEGE DOMINICA - AGRICULTURE AUGUST 2012 REF: CAR-07 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 Institutional Mandate ...................................................................................................................... 2 Brief History ........................................................................................................................... 2 Strategic Plan Elements .......................................................................................................... 2 Priority Issues for the Next 2-3 Years ..................................................................................... 3 The Development of the College Agri-Business Program ............................................................. 4 Rationale ................................................................................................................................. 4 Goal ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 5 Contextual Overview .............................................................................................................. 5 Project Context................................................................................................................................ 6 Data and Statistics on Staff And Students ...................................................................................... 8 Dominica State College Organisational Chart ........................................................................ 8 Student Population of the Dominica State College by Faculty. .............................................. 9 Faculty Qualification ............................................................................................................ 11 Faculty Distribution by Gender ............................................................................................ 11 Program Sector Development for C-EFE ..................................................................................... 12 Supporting and Background Documenation ................................................................................. 13 CAR_07_Dominica_DSC_Agriculture Page i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This project proposal is for the consideration of the CARICOM Education for Employment Program (C-EFE). The goal of the project, for which the Dominica State College (DSC) is seeking assistance, is to increase employment opportunities for youth in Dominica by providing them access to quality training program in Agri-business Management. The purpose is to develop and deliver a CVQ Level 3 in Agri-business Management. The DSC is well placed as Dominica’s sole public tertiary educational institution to take the lead in changing the mindset of current and potential farmers and provide education and training to support such a paradigm. The need for a shift in training from general agriculture to Agri- business Management is noted by several leading professionals and organizations including the Government of Dominica and the Ministry of Agriculture. The experience of the DSC in the delivery of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) strengthens its capacity to deliver a CVQ qualification in Agri-business Management. But the College requires support to design an appropriate curriculum for a CVQ Level 3 program which includes, inter alia, standards, modules/units, assessment instruments, minimum tools and equipment and facilities. Additionally, assistance is needed to train teaching staff to use the Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) approach, and to create a pool of staff to conduct internal and external verification. The impact of this Project must not only be based on the attainment of the identified goal and purpose but will also be examined from the lessons learnt and recommendations. The Project can serve as a model for sustainable curriculum development and implementation at the Dominica State College, and Dominica by extension. CAR_07_Dominica_DSC_Agriculture Page 1 1.0 INSTITUTIONAL MANDATE 1.1 Brief History Dominica State College (DSC) is the country’s only public higher education institution and is responsible for educating and training the majority of citizens seeking access to higher education in Dominica. Founded in 2002, the institution has graduated over 3000 students with certificates and associate degrees in the areas of Arts and Sciences, Education, Applied Arts & Technology, Nursing and Health Sciences. The architects and founders of the College designed it to be a multi-functional institution, directly targeting workforce and economic development; serving the lifelong learning needs of its campus communities and assisting students to pursue further education opportunities through professional development courses, seamless articulation to undergraduate level programs and delivery of Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs in areas where the country’s needs are most acute. In order to accomplish these goals, the College must focus on the development and/or strengthening of its academic, technical, vocational and administrative programs; securing the required levels of funding, and aligning its programs and services more closely to the needs of its varied stakeholders and clients. 1.2 Strategic Plan Elements Beginning in the fall of 2012, the college is seeking to develop and strengthen its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Program in the area of Applied Arts Science and Technology, to both meet the nations need for skilled professionals and the developing regional TVET standards and programs. The college is also seeking to establish partnership arrangements with regional institutions, including the UWI Open Campus in Dominica, in its efforts to develop a strong TVET Program, while simultaneously minimizing cost. Technical Vocational Programs The Dominica State College currently offers associate degree programs in the following TVET areas: Agriculture Technology Architecture Technology Automobile Technology Building and Civil Engineering Electronics Technology Electrical Technology Mechanical Engineering CAR_07_Dominica_DSC_Agriculture Page 2 The following programs are offered at Certificate level: Auto Body Repairs Electrical Installation Plumbing Technology Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Safer Building Woodworking Below are the revised vision, mission and goals of the DSC. Vision To be a student-centered, dynamic and innovative, world-class multi-campus college. • Promoting excellence in teaching and learning • Serving diverse communities • Producing lifelong learners who can complete globally Mission To be the premiere educational institution in • Providing high-quality, affordable and accessible educational programs • Serving the needs of business, industry and the diverse campus communities, and • Facilitating the personal and professional development of its students, faculty and staff. Goals and Objectives The Recurrent Budget FY 2012 – 2014 states that, “The major goals and objectives should be focused on (a) effecting a smooth transition from the disparate system of operation at the college to an integrated, standardized articulated and transparent system of academic and administrative operations; to increase enrolment, create more open access and improve the quality, range and relevance of the campuses’ program offerings.” 1.3 Priority Issues for the Next 2-3 Years The Capital Budget FY 2012-2004 summarizes the goals and objectives of the DSC as follows: This period will see the development of a new infra structure at the Stock Farm Camps and the initiation of projects linked to SCG building and renovation project. It is being proposed that the funds allocated for renovation under this project be used to build a new Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre and new CAR_07_Dominica_DSC_Agriculture Page 3 workshops for Applied Sciences and Crafts program, the establishment of the Wide Area Network. This phase, which is projected to span 3-4 years, will focus on the development and introduction of technology solutions to serve the academic functions and operations of the college. As such, distance education resources, training and course development; provision of web-based system access for all students, faculty and staff, and library collection development and system optimization will be the focus of the capital budgets technology projects. In addition, the physical improvement of facilities and the introduction of new and modern equipment necessary to support the engineering technology, the Technical Vocational and crafts program will remain a top priority, together with the purchase of additional computers for student use. Request for Funding The need for Technical and Vocational Education and Training at the College level in Dominica is dire. The other higher education institution in the country, the UWI Open Campus, does not offer any TVET programs, consequently, DSC is the sole provider of training and education in the areas that are most needed in Dominica. The Government of Dominica has provided funding to renovate the buildings where the TVET Programs are housed. It is anticipated