Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that a new university is expected to replace Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) in 2023.
He made the announcement during a Dominica Labour Party (DLP) rally held in Portsmouth recently.
After serving Dominica and the town of Portsmouth for the past 40 years, RUSM announced its departure from Dominica in August 2018 and began operations in Barbados in January 2019.
In an address to the nation on Friday, August 3, 2018, Prime Minister Skerrit directly attributed Ross’s departure from storm-battered Dominica, to the passage of Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria and insists that had it not been for these two weather systems, “there would never have been any consideration of Ross’s departure from Dominica.”
“We lost Ross [University] unfortunately but we will have a University back in Portsmouth come 2023 when we will receive the first set of students back in Portsmouth…,” Skerrit revealed.
He continued, “So the Lord is blessing us with a new university that will replace Ross University.”
According to the Prime Minister, everything is in place to commence classes in 2023.
Furthermore, he stated that a lot has been done in Portsmouth, “but we will all agree that a lot more needs to be done in Portsmouth.”
“Of course, we will be building a major government complex, because the reality is Portsmouth is the capital of the north of Dominica and so we will be building a massive facility here, an edifice that will house all of government offices into one building, uplifting the landscape of Portsmouth,” he noted.
Skerrit revealed that his government spent in excess of $2.5 million to provide accommodation for Clear Harbor to open a branch in Portsmouth.
He said that presently there are 300 people employed at that facility in Portsmouth.
“And they have said to me they can increase that to 800 once they can get people to employ under that facility,” Skerrit revealed.
He went on to state that the new Labour Party candidate for the Portsmouth constituency will continue from the foundation set by former Parliamentary Representative of Portsmouth, Ian Douglas.
“She will continue the revolutionization of Portsmouth,” Skerrit noted.
Meantime, the Prime Minister said his party wants to ensure a resounding victory on December 6.
Furthermore, Skerrit pointed out that as said on many occasions, “not voting cannot be an option in this election.”
“Voting is a choice each of us must make, but we always have to make the right choice,” he remarked. “We cannot sit back and say that Labour has won and I am not voting.”
He believes it is absolutely important that every vote is counted in this constituency and that the entire constituency says to Fenella Wenham, “You have our support, go ahead and do the work that you are to undertake.”
“It is important for us to go out and vote on election day,” Skerrit said.
He called on the residents of Portsmouth who are eligible to vote to come out in large numbers to vote for Fenella Wenham.
This is just another of Roosevelt’ s political ploy!
Ross left after forty years due to existing backward conditions on the island, such as Shakey air access into and out of the country. if that is correct, the owners of that so called institution, and the perhaps does not have any idea of what they are getting into.
Dominica is not unique, there nothing special in Dominica attracting medical school or students.
Here is an example, there is a small so called medical school which was formally owned by an African, and an Indian. The Indian got ill and die; since then, we don’t see any white foreign or Indian student flocking to Dominica to study at the medical school since.
Any so called intended to replace Ross, will be the one hope to be owned by the Dominican to whom a license to operate was granted, and that’s already: DOA (dead on arrival).
There is no university coming in 2023. Let’s re-develop that real estate into a Resort and call it a day.
“Sing dolphus sing, sing till the moon get high” Dr Dr Iv’e lost count of the number of universities that are coming to replace Ross; wake up jean “gwan-tance” enough is enough when are you going to stop this guy from pulling wool over your eyes.
I vow never to say anything negative about Skeritt anymore. I have been among all of you who jump on the opportunity to point out the wrongs that Skeritt has done and is “allowed” to do without fear. His lies bear absolutely no consequences whatsoever. So what’s the point we continue to talk about Ross University, international airport and all the pie in the sky which Skeritt has promised, knowing full well that these promises will never materialize. I have concluded sadly that we are equally responsible for the conditions and situations in which we have brought our dear country. We bark and make a force without anything to change the course of direction and to get rid of this corrupt labor government by any means possible. Thus, instead of inflicting myself with more quilt I will abstain from just talking and let the chips fall where they may. I don’t rely on any party of government for any kind of assistance. I work hard by the grace of God to sustain myself and family. Peace Out.
Another election campaign promise. and Dominicans does still believe him wi! that is what i really cannot believe. Dominicans believing him and cheering and trying to convince others to believe him too.
American Canadian School of Medicine: http://www.ACSOM.edu.dm
We lost Ross [University] unfortunately but we will have a University back in Portsmouth come 2023 when we will receive the first set of students back in Portsmouth…,” Skerrit revealed.
What is the name of the school?
How many students are we expecting?
When is the first day of School?
How long has this University been operational?
Is it accredited?
How valuable is a degree from said University?
What scholarships and financial aid is available at said university?
The PM needs to stop talking out his behind. Come on PM give us the details! Dominicans are not as gullible as you believe. University coming 2023 another empty promise. This man is horrible.
Wait I got it! Hogwarts/Hogwash University debuting in Dominica on the 30th day February, 2023. PM shame on you!!! You’re no longer the king or deception, you’re PM Jester – a joke, a fraud and a desperate man. You’re the personification of – Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.
And the response is a big yawn !
Skerrit, the two weather systems had very little to do with Ross departure from Dominica. However, your ignorance, your bloody mindedness and your unwillingness to even talk to them about some issues, had everything to do with their departure. YOU and you alone are to blame for their departure in the same way that you are to blame for the demise of our country as a whole. We don’t buy your s..t any longer. Go away!
Another example that Skerrit is not fit to serve this country as PM. It’s only his personal agenda he is interested in. He doesn’t give a damn about the country or its citizens.
I think that Mr. Skerrit is mixing his words. He needs to give people the reality of the situation. The reality is that he will look for a NEW replacement university when he has time. He already found a New replacement that has yet to come therefore he will be looking again when he has time between running his ministry, constituency and his two baby sitting jobs.
That is maybe the 5th Ross replacement I hearing about.
And the students will come in via the international airport – the same airport you cannot speak about this election cycle because it has become the biggest joke in the Caribbean!
I strongly believe the PM needs to stop doing this to the people of Portsmouth. Respect people. We all know that no school is coming. You have failed Portsmouth and the entire Dominica in that respect. Ross University was a cash cow and it should never be allowed to leave through governmental negligence. Skerrit one day you will get these people really angry. It just unfortunate the opposition don’t know how to use these things against you.
The opposition can´t use anything against Skerrit because they are just as bad or even worse. Look at who the UWP elected as its leader! hmmm smdh
“He went on to state that the new Labour Party candidate for the Portsmouth constituency will continue from the foundation set by former Parliamentary Representative of Portsmouth, Ian Douglas.“
Mr Skerrit we know everything you said about Portsmouth is a big LIE whether is the Ross you lost (though most believe is the Ross you kicked out) the new university you can’t even mention by name or all your so called accomplishments in Portsmouth (in the sky but not on the ground), was just you taking a jab at Possie people you have fooled and now making a mockery of. To talk about foundation laid by Ian Douglas? Seems like you got to the point that you don’t even have any respect for Laborites of Possie nou. PM, what foundation Ian set in Portsmouth? A foundation of too jour soo? Boy Ian helped to breakdown all the foundations that he met. Ross kicked out, Whitchurch closed, Courts gone, the Australians had a underworld fisher thing with over 100 employees that too gone. Longhouse gone
But I realize the prolific liar and deceiver doesn’t talk about the international airport again. Is the airport near completion Mr Skerrit?
Mister is the Court’s Jester. You can’t be serious!!!! You really think Dominicans are that gullible. If Dominicans fall for your tricks well then… nous fini.
The pied Piper has his chosen team of new people who will go along with whatever he says and wants. His main goal is to amend the constitution to allow him to become a powerful president rather than what obtains currently with the help of the “ayes have it” goons hand picked for the onslaught on the way things are currently done in the country. This obsession is a way to try and avoid prosecutions in the future for criminal and roguish acts by the double doctorate dude. How many more times will Skerritt tell lies to the citizens of Dominca? He continues to make numerous promises and the red “mouton Batalie” just soak it up in euphoria. Fool the rest of us once shame on him, but to try and fool us again and again, no way Hosey. Lies about electoral reforms, lies about new school of medicine, lies about international airport, lies about Cruise ship port, lies about new deep water port, lies about new roads etc . I don’t want to hear any more lies.
I suspect all the lectures and students of the Skerrit new university will be liars, deceivers, cults, thieves, corrupt people running from international justice and lawless
So since Skerrit calls it The new University “ let’s name it after him The Skerrit University sincei is his type of people alone will enter that university LIARS
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, repeat that again Prime Minister, repeat it to them every year that a new university is opening! The sad thing is that after twenty plus years of voting Labour in Government, Portsmouth really has nothing to show for it, and that is really sad!
that is for you Portsmouth voters to consider………..empty promises
We’ve heard this several times already, usually before elections. Skerrit is a notorious liar and he even isn’t ashamed to tell the same lie several times!
This promise by the Mastermind of lies is unsurprising. Any time it comes around the ‘silly season’ lies and empty promises flow from Roosevelt’s mouth like water from the Amazon River.
I just read title. The crazy thing is he is there are people who sit listen and believe. What is even crazier is there are supporters who love being lied to. Some university need to come do a research on political stupidity in DA.
Dominicans are very easily to be fooled.
How do l know that, because Skerrit told me so.. each time he goes to bed, he laughs so much… that he can’t understand why the people don’t put on their critical thinking cap….
Since you are not college-material, I don’t expect you to believe anything the PM says.
You, ds, got all your thermometer degrees from a landfill university. How dare you try to disparage the man’s intellectual prowess? Dimwit!
How dare you to say that I got my degrees from a Landfill that is full of trash and dead creatures? You have insulted my intelligence and downgraded by intellectual prowess. At least, give me a hand-clap and 5 stars on the cuffs of my pants.lol
@Braindamage
When Roosevelt speaks and people believe him, he, himself is shocked.
You won’t see that one your liar. That is desperation you must go and you will go.
Dominica will also be getting it’s first 50 story sky scraper building that will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean. Dominica astronauts will also be landing on the moon in our very own moon mobile. They will harness the moon and bring it back to Dominica, paint it red, place it on a silver platter as a tourist attraction. And we shall all eat red pie in the sky.
Just brush up on your Physics and we will take you to the moon, first Dominica woman Astronaut. How about? We pray there won’t be any bird strikes in the air.
He went on to state that the new Labour Party candidate for the Portsmouth constituency will continue from the foundation set by former Parliamentary Representative of Portsmouth, Ian Douglas.
And what exactly is this foundation, pray tell? Scratching my head…
Another University coming to Possie again?
Ebeh ebeh ebeh well thats about 5 so far since RUSS left so Possie people bread very well buttered papa 
If that is the case why was Ian fired? After all he must have been directly involved so why not let him have oversight on the start up? SMMFH! You that Symbort-Gwan-Movemant doh tired lie? Garson from now on I will change your name to LIEONNEL (pronounced Lionel) because no one, I repeat no one globally can tell a straight face lie like you.. But doh worry your lieing self jean bawi will handle you appropriately.
Which number is this? Between universities and airports how many do we have now?
Govt spend 2.5 million to get Clear Harbour to cometo Possie and thats a plus? Other countries get paid to bring in foreign investors. What a failure.
Roosevelt’s portfolio should be Minister of empty Promises. He promised electoral reforms, geothermal energy, accounting of the missing 2.5 missing CBI billions, international airport, new cruise facilities, agriculture boats, replacement universities for RUSM (a thousand times), etc.
As I listened to his latest attacks on a member of the opposition, (a parliamentary representative), this diseased LIAR is a trashy, nasty, filthy, loathsome, empty-headed, thuggish IGNORAMUS.
Roosevelt is EMINENTLY UNQUALIFIED for the post he now corruptly holds. The man is the brightest NUMSKULL as prime minister on the globe. I hereby challenge anyone of his red Kool-aid supporters to challenge this.
Quick question how many times have this been said before? , Is it called the China Friendship University?
I was about to ask the same question. Nothing new….all recycled soundbites that the masses jump and cheer for and never come to fruition. Pathetic.
He doesn’t mention the name of the university because it’s a new CBI institution that doesn’t actually exist yet. This PM is completely full of rubbish.
American Canadian School of Medicine . But u are correct another CBI institution, never heard about school in the world and just before elections to butter the masses in portsmouth .. Why cant we get a foreign well accredited University ? Because no business finds it profitable to come portsmouth . We , Dominicans need to open our eyes and stop think with money driven ways and campaign tricks . Portsmouth has nothing happening in years . changing the Parl Rep is not going to help .The head of the party is the same . Mark my word next election portsmouth is still going to be the same boring , non excited , no malls , no cruise village , no night life place cause Dominicans are blind mice lead by a leader with a big piece of poison cheese
Constructive criticism to ADMIN:
An unbiased journalistic approach to this article would be to provide us with a list of all RUSM “replacements” which never came to fruition and why. I am not even asking for dates as their proximity to elections may be construed as being biased against the government.
Ignoring facts doesn’t mean they do not exist.
ADMIN: We do take in your feedback and will keep in mind the notion of providing additional context within the same article (we have taken this approach before).
“Ignoring facts doesn’t mean they do not exist.”
We acknowledge this statement yet ignoring our articles does not mean they do not exist.
We have published several articles revealing the history on pronouncements about possible replacements for Ross. This point has already been demonstrated by commenter Channel 1 who posted the following links:
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/pm-skerrit-says-four-parties-showing-interest-in-utilizing-former-ross-campus/
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/pm-skerrit-says-investor-secured-for-medical-school/
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/pm-skerrit-reported-to-have-signed-contract-for-new-university-in-dominica-during-recent-trip-to-pakistan/
Here is another article that may provide additional context:
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/st-joseph-university-headed-by-dr-curvin-ferreira-to-begin-operation-in-september/
Thanks ADMIN:
Your response is greatly appreciated. Nonetheless, please forgive me for “misinterpreting” the article as DLP campaign propaganda. My bad.
ADMIN: No forgiveness needed – we appreciate and need constructive criticism.
It is only the senseless destructive kind of criticism that is not needed nor helpful to anyone.
Skerrit deceiving Portsmouth people and laborites just as the devil deceiving people.
Every year Skerrit has a university coming to replace the same Ross that he kicked of Dominica but nothing on the ground.
Let me give you at least four reasons why I know no university is coming to Dominica just as no international airport coming:
1. He gave year but no month. Why not not give an idea of month? Liar
2. If you going to bring a university to replace Ross then why not meet with those who own apartments around the school so they coutget ready . After all next year is a day from tomorrow and no meeting with those apartment owners? Another lie!
3. The name on the school is Canada/ American university. Skerrit, we know you don’t want an American presence in Dominica which is one of the main reasons for forcing Ross out. You bringing an American/ Canadian school? Lie that
4. The owner of this new school is Russian and has a beach in Russia. You think with the invasion US will…
What happened to those four investors he said (back in 2018) were interested in the Ross campus site to establish a new university? https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/pm-skerrit-says-four-parties-showing-interest-in-utilizing-former-ross-campus/
What happened to the Dominica University of Medical Sciences? https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/pm-skerrit-says-investor-secured-for-medical-school/
What happened to the Rawal International University Dominica? https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/pm-skerrit-reported-to-have-signed-contract-for-new-university-in-dominica-during-recent-trip-to-pakistan/
So the sign they put up in October 2022 outside the Ross entrance bearing the name – American-Canadian School of Medicine – is the latest school that coming eh?
Is that the name of the university; The New University?