Contributed
Northern Caribbean University's doctoral graduates for 2006 from left: Gloria Barnes-Gregory, Victoria Gordon, Lola McKenzie, Jennifer Yee-Sing.The doctoral programme was recently accredited by the University Council of Jamaica.

Northern Caribbean University (NCU) received a big boost with news the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) has accredited its Ph.D. degree in education. The news came last week, as the university prepares the third batch of candidates for graduation from its first doctoral programme, which was introduced seven years ago.

"This is a great day to which we have come," said an elated Dr. Herbert Thompson, president of NCU. "The accreditation has particular significance at this time. The fact that we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our founding makes it even more significant. It took us all of 100 years to try to get it right at the highest level of academia and I am delighted that we are celebrating it at this time."

Good position for NCU

The president said that the accreditation has put NCU in a position to further satisfy the needs of the hundreds of persons from Jamaica and the wider Caribbean who desire to pursue terminal degrees in order to better address the needs and challenges of the nation and region. There are over 80 persons currently enrolled in the Ph.D. programme, with dozens of others who are waiting to be enrolled, once they were assured of accreditation.

Chairman of the NCU board, Dr. Patrick Allen, explained that this was the first SDA university in the Inter-American division to receive state accreditation for a doctoral programme. He said: "The new areas which are currently being charted by NCU are phenomenal, and the institution is making great strides for a university that was chartered only eight years ago. We commend the work of its president, administrators and faculty on reaching this significant milestone."

Preparations for the Ph.D. in education, a four-year programme, started in February 2000 and underwent a few leadership changes until September 2000 when Dr. William Green, a former chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Administration for 10 years at Andrews University, along with his wife, Dr. Rita Henriquez-Green, gave leadership to the programme. He is currently the dean of the College of GraduateEducation and Leadership, which offers the programme.

"It started with the recruitment of 15 to 20 persons each year," said Dr. Green. "Then in 2002, we started the master's in education programme, which was accredited by the UCJ in 2005. In 2004, the Adventist Accreditation Association gave us permission to offer the Ph.D. in education after studying us for two years."

When asked how he felt about this achievement, Dr. Greene said: "I feel relieved on hearing of the granting of accreditation by the UCJ. It feels good to know that the hard work has paid off in this way because it will help us to go forward in a more confident manner."

Six graduates

So far, six students have graduated from the programme, two in 2005 and four in 2006. At this year's commencement exercises scheduled for August 10 to 12, three students will graduate, with another five slated for the December graduation. Persons who have been, and will be, involved in the programme come from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Bermuda, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and from the diaspora of New York and Washington, D.C.

"I am extremely delighted," said Andel Bailey, the university's most outstanding student for 2006 and one of the three persons who will graduate from the programme in August. "It is an indication that the UCJ recognises the effort of NCU and the College of Graduate Education and Leadership. I am also happy because, as a graduate of the programme, it is a great feeling to know that my degree is recognised by a national accreditation body," he added.