Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MONTEGO Bay Community College, which was founded in 1975, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and, like good wine, it is definitely getting better with age.
The institution, which will be one of the participants in the Montego Bay Expo 2005, offers individuals the opportunity to get qualified in the hope of meeting the challenges of a demanding yet competitive job market.
Operating under the motto, 'The end crowns the work', the institution is located on Alice Eldemire Drive in Montego Bay, and is popularly known as 'Com C'. The college is headed by principal Dr. Angela Samuels, and offers five bachelor's degree courses as well as additional degree courses that are completed at either the University of the West Indies (UWI) or the University of Technology (UTech).
In addition, the institution, which offers persons who work in the days the opportunity to further their studies via evening classes, also offers seven associate degrees as well as professional and para-professional diploma and certificate courses. A dynamic team of women heads most of the departments, except for two.
ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS
At present, construction work is being done on the building to add an additional 12 classrooms to the school. The institution is also very proud of the school's Lorna Nembhard auditorium, named in honour of a former principal. The auditorium is one of the popular venues for social events in western Jamaica.
In a recent interview with The Gleaner, Joan Johnson, the acting head of the outreach and development department, said the school's participation in the expo is a simple means of promoting the institution
as "one that has changed the face of education in western Jamaica."
The institution, she says, has brought a lot to education and she promised that the expo will showcase the school's accomplishments, as well as what the institution has to offer students who may want to join the student body in the future.
