OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

Community colleges in Jamaica are planning to implement changes that would see them become more effective institutions.

Over 300 representatives, comprising principals, lecturers and students, attended the annual Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) conference held over three days at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios. It was held under the theme 'Community Colleges Envisioning and Implementing Change: Ensuring Student Success.'

Noel Stennett, executive director of the CCCJ, explained that while good-quality processes were needed, the ultimate aim would be to have students gain mastery of their area of study and further expand on it to become true professionals.

Eight institutions were represented at the conference - Moneague College, Excelsior Community College (CC), Knox CC, Portmore CC, Brown's Town CC, Bethlehem Moravian College, Montego Bay CC and College of Agriculture, Science and Education.

Overseas and local presenters

There were a number of overseas and local presenters, speaking on themes such as 'The Impact of Institutional Culture on Students', 'Success in Community Colleges', 'Community College Education - What Can We Learn from the Voluntary Sector?' and 'Exploring Organisational Culture to Meet Coming Challenges.'

Guest speaker at the opening, Dr Hixwell Douglas, expounded the virtues of service and of change.

According to Douglas, in every community college in Jamaica there was immense possibility for growth and success. He called upon those in the system to commit to giving quality service to self, student and country.

Regarding change, Douglas said: "We must be willing to change our thinking and our attitude; we need to transform our thinking in order to transform our minds. He who rejects change is the architect of doom."

Transformation

Douglas said the results the country was getting showed the need to focus on the transformation of the education system. He said individuals must focus on personal transformation.

He said there was a challenge as students had to "search in the dark" for role models to emulate.

The CCCJ recognised the work of 14 individuals (12 retirees) who have contributed to the development and expansion of community colleges in Jamaica.

Among them were brothers Othneil and Quince Chambers, who both served as groundsmen at Excelsior Community College for 27 years.

The complete list reads: Honourees - Sandra Shirley, immediate past chairman of the CCCJ and George Roper, past board member. Retirees - Cecil Allen, Cynthia Dias-Chambers, Nerline Haye, Shirley Russell (Portmore Community College); Othneil Chambers, Quince Chambers, Daisy Daley, Patricia Ricketts (Excelsior Community College); Eeda Burris (Moneague College), Winsome Ewart, Jassett Levy (Bethlehem Moravian College); and, Gladys McKain (Brown's Town Community College).