The Mico Graduation Class of 2020 Programme.Pdf
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THE MICO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CEREMONY FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES 2020 The Mico University College “Do It With Thy Might” The listing of names and degrees/diplomas/awards to be conferred, appearing herein, is subject to such changes as may be necessary to conform to the final and Official Records of the The Mico University College. THE MICO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CEREMONY FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES 2020 PRESENTING: The Mico University College eginning in 1836, four teacher training of teachers for secondary schools training institutions and to cover the entire range of secondary hundreds of elementary schools education. By then, it had become the were established in the British Colonies in institution, which was training the largest the West Indies, Mauritius and Seychelles number of secondary school teachers in by the Lady Mico Charity. This followed the country. the successful efforts of Sir Thomas In this same period, the Government Fowell Buxton to direct the resources of started training teachers for children with the Charity to the education of the children special needs, as well as funding for the of the ex-slaves in these British Colonies training of teachers for these schools. (in the West Indies, Mauritius and Consequently, The Mico was selected by Seychelles) where slavery was in the the Government as the college to offer this process of being abolished. In an era training. By the 1980s, The Mico was not where denominational education was the only providing such teachers for schools in norm, the defining feature of the Mico Jamaica, but for the entire English- institutions was that they were of Christian speaking Caribbean. In addition, through influence but non-denominational. assistance from the Government of the Except in St Lucia, most Mico Netherlands, the College established The elementary schools did not survive the Mico College Diagnostic and Therapeutic discontinuation of the Negro Education Centre (The CARE Centre); to diagnose Grant in 1846 which was provided by the the learning challenges of multiple British Parliament (which ended in 1846). handicapped children and design Those that survived were overtaken by the individualised instructional techniques for twin forces of denominational education these students. This centre is the only one and the entry of the Government of the of its kind in the Commonwealth Colonies into providing elementary Caribbean and has gained international education. The elementary schools in St recognition. Lucia survived the longest until the 1890s. The Mico and the University of the The only teacher training institution to West Indies (UWI), pioneered a survive into the 21st Century and that relationship in the area of special remains until today is The Mico in education in which the bachelor’s degree Kingston, Jamaica. Its founding in 1836 in Special Education was jointly taught at makes it the oldest teacher training the college using the facilities of the institution in the Western Hemisphere and CARE Centre. Through this arrangement, one of the oldest in the world rivalling the Mico became an affiliate of the University famed Battersea College in England. of the West Indies and gained the experience of offering programmes at the The survival of The Mico in Kingston is degree level. rooted in four characteristics of the institution. The record of achievement, in successfully taking on new challenges has First, remaining true to its character as a earned for the college the reputation of Christian but non-denominational being a leader in educational development institution. in Jamaica and the Caribbean. In seeking Second, its capacity to respond to the to meet the current challenges of Jamaica changing developmental needs of the and the Caribbean, The Mico has Jamaican and Caribbean society. substantially increased tertiary education Third, its ability to attract able and enrolment by offering degree programmes to greater number of citizens. It is no ambitious students and to provide them with high quality education. surprise therefore, that in 2006, the Ministry of Education by an Act of Fourth, the performance of Mico Parliament upgraded The Mico to a graduates in society. University College and mandated it to The Mico was founded as a co- make the majority of its offerings degree educational institution. After the cessation programmes in teacher education and of the Negro Education Grant, when it was related areas. determined that it was more economical to The Mico University College now train native teachers, Mico transformed offers undergraduate degree programmes itself into a single-sex male institution through our three faculties: (1) Education; training elementary native school teachers. (2) Humanities & Liberal Arts; and (3) In the 1950s, it became co-educational Science and Technology. again and remains so. When the Additionally, The Mico also offers five Government of Jamaica expanded (5) masters programmes through its secondary education in the 1960s, the Graduate School of Education in junior secondary schools were introduced. collaboration with its Institute of The Mico included in its portfolio the Technological and Educational Research training of teachers for the junior (ITER). secondary schools. By the end of the 1970s, The Mico further expanded its 2 THE MICO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CEREMONY FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES 2020 THE CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2020 raduating Class of 2020, you are to be congratulated, having triumphed despite the many challenges associated with the completion of your programmes, and the adjustment to the new dynamics associated with a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us new insights in how connected we all are, in our communities, in our country, and in the world. The pandemic has laid bare our vulnerabilities, our dependence, our isolation, but it has also highlighted our dedication, our commitment and our sacrifices in our fight to overcome this scourge. As graduates of The Mico University College at this unique time in our history, you will be challenged to truly think outside of the box; to be open to change, and be adaptable; not to be paralysed by fear or failure; to exemplify The Mico’s values of Integrity, Excellence in Performance, Leadership and Service to others More than ever, this is your moment, your opportunity to contribute to the shaping of your world. You have benefited significantly from your sojourn at The Mico, and much will be expected of you wherever you find yourselves, whether in the humblest of circumstances or in prominent positions, as the human need remains great and will require your talent and service. The Mico has provided you with the knowledge, skills and disposition to be able professionals and practitioners in your respective fields. You have been tested and found to be competent, but competence must be combined with ethical standards to be transformative and redeeming. So graduates, go forth from here not just celebrating your personal success but embracing a personal responsibility to contribute to the world in which you live, and being a change agent. You cannot be responsible for how you found the world, but you must accept responsibility for how you leave the world for the succeeding generation. I, therefore, encourage you to set new goals, seek new horizons, continue to make a significant difference in your world, do The Mico proud in all that you do and never forget her. God bless you in all your endeavours. Roderick Karl James, CD, EdD (Honoris Causa) 3 THE MICO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CEREMONY FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES 2020 THE PRO-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2020 raduating Class of 2020, you are graduating in unusual times with the world in a crisis, caused by a novel coronavirus, but graduating in interesting times, as all crises bring opportunities. Therefore, this virus cannot mar your success, as you have triumphed despite its challenges. You have prevailed and successfully completed your programmes of study, which augers well for you personally as well as for the community. 1. Personally, your success indicates that you have achieved the requisite academic standard, which should be accompanied by a proficiency in various skills including life skills, and a strong positive attitude. In addition, this accomplishment can not only boost your confidence and provide a sense of achievement but also indicates your competence to pursue more advanced studies. 2. For the community, your success not only indicates your capacity to advance academically, but to enter the world of work. Your training and inclination should enable you to make a valuable contribution to your community, country and perhaps the world, and to have an important role in “advancing the welfare of the whole human race”. You have had the privilege of studying at the most prestigious teacher-training institution in Jamaica, and would have undoubtedly benefited tremendously from all that the institution has had to offer in terms of its infrastructure, resources (human and otherwise), as well as its remarkable legacy. You are not the same persons who walked through the doors of The Mico at the start of your programme. You have gained not only knowledge, but how to think; you have gained skills, insights and abilities, especially the ability to cope. To whom much has been given, much is expected. Therefore, your community (whether local or overseas) and the world await you with high expectations of you making a useful contribution and giving your service with respect to building and transforming your environment, and being innovative and a problem solver. You are The Mico’s Ambassadors, so “go and do it with thy might”. CONGRATULATIONS!!! May God continue to bless, guide, protect and inspire you wherever you live and serve. Ryland T. Campbell, CD, FIMCJ, PhD, MA 4 THE MICO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CEREMONY FOR THE PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES 2020 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2020 lass of 2020, congratulations! This stage of your life’s journey is at an end, and while much has changed in the recent past with a global pandemic, and acclimatization to the new conditions, your potential remains strong with an awesome future ahead of you.