Gov’t promises support for All Saints expansion

All Saints is said to be growing in student population
All Saints is said to be growing in student population

It appears that All Saints University School of Medicine is rapidly outgrowing its current location in Roseau and government is promising to support the institution as it sets eye on expansion.

“I understand as well that even this facility here may be getting a little bit constricted and you may need more room as you expand,” member of the university’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Clayton Shilingford, said at the institution’s 21st White Coat Ceremony over the weekend. “If you are going to expand with numbers of students and you need more room and more facilities, then you need as well to have a facility that is maybe much larger than this.”

Education minister, Petter Saint Jean, agreed noting that “something good” is happening at the institution.

“Recently I was advised that All Saints is at a point right now where they must move in a new direction. Student population here at All Saints is increasing at such an alarming rate that there is need for expansion,” he said.

He stated the government is willing to assist if the school seeks to expand.

“We are prepared as Government to ensure that this great thing becomes even better,” Saint Jean said. “I pledge the support of the Ministry of Education and that of the Government in the realization of this vision of this objective here at All Saints.”

At the ceremony Shillingford also mentioned that the All Saints has received accreditation from the health authorities in Canada, USA, and the World Health Organization (WHO) among others, and added that there has been diversity in student and staff population.

“We see more and more a drive for the institution to improve its outreach to people in the world who want to study medicine and to become part and parcel of this international service of health to our people around the world,” he said.

According to its website, All Saints is expected to construct a permanent structure in Grand Bay.

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38 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    April 20, 2014

    NKRUMAH KWAME if u read again,you will see that it was DR.Shillingford who made the statement and not Peter ST.jean

  2. April 17, 2014

    we in grandbay need the school this was a promise made to u by this government so please deliver it to us mr skirret if not u will pay for it in the next election :oops:

    • Ma Moses
      April 18, 2014

      If All Saints move to Grand Bay they will have to change their name to All Souls.

      • Anonymous
        April 20, 2014

        shame on you

    • Malgraysa
      April 20, 2014

      Don’t worry, you will have your promise. Promises cost nothing after all. They are like so much confetti. How many fellows have not promised a young lady not to make her pregnant! Malgraysa.

  3. NKRUMAH KWAME
    April 17, 2014

    Mr. St. Jean, as minister for education you must know that the World Health Organization is NOT an accrediting agency. Further, please indicate to the population WHICH health agencies in Canada and the USA accorded accreditation status to All Saints University. Moreover, you would be aware that the ONLY authorized entity in Dominica to speak to the QUALITY of medicine (human and animal) and dentistry IS the Dominica Medical Board which has NOT accredited the mentioned university. So I do not “overstand “why you insist on “playing smart with stupidness.” The day is not too far off when you will regret your untruthfullness.

    HOTEP!

    • Nonsense
      April 20, 2014

      Finally, someone with common sense.

      Not only is All Saints NOT accredited by the DOMINICA Medical Board, you are correct in saying the speaker needs to state which areas in Canada and the USA have accredited this institution. All Saints, while a necessary option for some, is NOT favorably looked upon by USA or Canadian Medical Institutions and making a blanket statement about its accreditation in these medically advanced countries is absurd and misleading to both the public and to future applicants to the school itself.

  4. Anonymouse
    April 17, 2014

    The proposed location by the agricultural Center in Grandbay is most suitable, nestled at top of the hill, tranquill, no traffic congestion, close to the station, health center, great view of the Sea and Geneva area. Just what a student needs to foster dedicated studying to accomplish their goals. Go for it All Saints.

  5. So it is?
    April 16, 2014

    Promise of assistance for expansion for All Saints, but in the same vein, a local Dominican Co., Public Works, is pushed out of the area, from which they have been operating for decades, and doing yeoman work in every nook and cranny. of Dominica.

    PWC cut mountains to build roads. Rehabilitate roads. Asphalt roads. During disasters, hurricane etc. they have displayed commitment, hard work in getting the place cleaned, clearing landslides, drains and culverts. Struggled in all kinds of conditions. Govt. has either sold, leased, or given free, the Public Works Compound to the Chinese to build Hotel.

    On top of that, Skerritt’s DLP Govt. signed a loan recently in China for the Chinese to build their hotel. Dominicans have to pay that loan back. Dominicans do not know if they have share in that hotel to be built on the Chinese property at PWC area.

    • April 16, 2014

      stupesssssssssssssss

    • Razor
      April 17, 2014

      “Dominicans do not know if they have share in that hotel to be built on the Chinese property at PWC area.”

      What idiocy!

      BTW, do you know what kind of assistance the government will give to All Saints or are you simply speaking from your you-know-what? The blue grass has surely gotten to this one.

      • sharp
        April 17, 2014

        Sold? For how much, nuh?

  6. Anthony Ismael
    April 16, 2014

    Opportunities like these give us a chance to decentralize. Roseau is very congested. This location can be better utilized for something else.
    I think Grandbay is a great choice for All Saints University. This could be a mini economic boom for South City.

    • JoJo
      April 20, 2014

      Anthony I happen to be fond of Grandbay but at the same time must do a reality check. Do All Saints have a say in this? Would their staff and students want to relocate and live in Grandbay by choice? That is my brain talking, not my heart and All Saints will make a business decision on that for sure.

  7. watching
    April 16, 2014

    Just a suggestion…why not Londonderry where Saint Andrews used to be…lovely place to set up a university…lovely environment..quiet and peaceful for study..why not share the cake..it is high time for the North East to enjoy a piece.

    • Get this !
      April 17, 2014

      plus the proximity to airport.

      • Get this !
        April 17, 2014

        plus assist in the development of marigot hospital

    • Razor
      April 17, 2014

      Great idea.

    • Bogoroy
      April 17, 2014

      Sounds like the perfect location…picturesque, near the airport, in the heart of our agricultural belt, many hardwokring and educated folks are nearby….

  8. Kylie
    April 16, 2014

    great news

  9. Anonymous
    April 16, 2014

    So where does that leave Ross University?

    • Too Hard Too Long
      April 16, 2014

      in Picard

    • ?????????
      April 16, 2014

      Meaning?

    • Anonymous
      April 16, 2014

      Whats wrongs with Ross University did they say they going to kick them out or something. Ross have it’s connections All saints have theirs that means more visitors more job for the country, that’s what i’m seeing.

      • Bogoroy
        April 17, 2014

        Nicely said.

    • Anonymous
      April 16, 2014

      Just where they are ! Still at the very top/

  10. aye
    April 16, 2014

    Decentralize and remove the congestion from the city. Relocate the school to the east coast. Encourage economical activities in other parts of Dominica.

    • ?????????
      April 16, 2014

      I agree… laplaine have tons of flat land!!

      • JoJo
        April 19, 2014

        Sorry guys but Laplaine too far and the road there needs to be improved and widened first. Completing that section between Rosalie and Petit Soufriere would be a good start. So far that egg still not hatched.

  11. grandbay boy
    April 16, 2014

    We need an International Airport to move the masses of students of Ross and All Saints.

    • Anonymous
      April 16, 2014

      No you dont , airlines are into making money not losing it. This route not profitable.

      • Get this !
        April 17, 2014

        why is it not profitable? isn’t dominica a saleable product? u can see profit until you sell your product.

      • Get this !
        April 17, 2014

        can’t

    • Bogoroy
      April 17, 2014

      How have we been “moving” them since Ross has been in Dominica, even with its expansion?

      You all just keep thinking that an international airport is the win all toy: JUst “get one” and magic happens!!

  12. ?
    April 16, 2014

    i not taking it from you nuh Petter St. Jean.
    i will wait till i hear it from your Supremo Commandante
    Because i want to know what kind of assistabce is government looking to make?
    offer dem land to build?
    offer to do de construction? with which contractor?
    research and design?

    Ross University doing everything on their own. even our local contractors find it difficult to get a contract there.
    concrete should be pouring soon

    do not put all you self in tings that government should not involve itself. Dem people have all their money and resources

  13. Anonymous
    April 16, 2014

    SO promise for all saints and no permission for a local dr. Dr F

    • moving ahead
      April 16, 2014

      THAT’S EXACTLY HOW I WAS LOOKING AT IT. Its high time they approve Dr Fer superior ob-gyn medical school and let st joseph get a slice too.

    • Get this !
      April 17, 2014

      we could not have a 3rd medical school, but we can assist to grow the 2nd. Mr Minister, would the increase in student create the same scheduling and drain on hospital resources as you cited when u denied permission for 3rd medical school?

      the truth is now clear to our eyes. You people discourage your own and bend backwards forwards for others. shame,

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