The New Dominica State College, currently under construction in Stock farm, has been dubbed as a “model Tertiary institution unparalleled to any in the entire OECS region.”
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made the observation following a Cabinet tour of the facility on Monday.
“This facility I will say with the greatest level of humility is unparallel in the OECS as far as tertiary education is concerned,” Skerrit said.
The new State College is being financed with loan funds from the Chinese Government and is expected to be ready for use by September 2013.
Prime Minister Skerrit describes the project as one which will provide all the necessary facilities to ensure that Dominicans receive the highest quality of tertiary education.
“If we are talking about education we have to make bold investments in education. We have to improve the physical facilities to provide better tuition and a better environment for our students. In these facilities you have at least eighteen large classrooms and each classroom can seat comfortably at least one hundred students, you also have an amphitheatre with all the acoustic sounds and lighting which can seat 300-plus people. You have a computer centre which will seat about one hundred students. You have large offices for the president and the teachers. All these are major components of institutions of higher learning,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister said the college will be equipped with Wi-Fi internet access.
“On this site we will have complete Wi-Fi internet access. You will have 100 percent access to internet at any given time so students who have their laptops, blackberries, iPhones can sit anywhere on campus and access the internet to do their research and to study, and this is an important thing because at present we have students waiting to use the computer lab,” he noted.
He said the facility is a major investment in the future of young people in Dominica.
“We believe that investment will be for a lifetime and many succeeding generations will benefit from this. At the end of the day students will have no complaints in terms of the amenities, they will now be provided with all the things that they need to study and do well and to make their family and country proud,” he noted.
Meantime Dominica’s Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean, remarked that the state college project is in keeping with Government’s thrust at providing the support needed to guarantee that Dominican students excel.
“The state college really represents the quality of Education that this Government is delivering to the people of Dominica on all fronts from early childhood to primary, secondary and indeed further education. Having provided this kind of support, I think what we require now from our young people is a level of seriousness that is unparallel so that we here in Dominica can be competitive regionally and globally,” he said.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Information Technology, Kelvar Darroux, is optimistic that Dominican students will take advantage of the opportunities which will be provided at the new state college.
“This structure is a testament of Government’s investment in young people. We have seen Government spending a tremendous amount of money to ensure that we advance education to another level. I am sure that young Dominicans will take advantage of this opportunity,” he pointed out.
The new state college project when complete is expected to accommodate 2,000 students.
although the construction this new wing at the state college is at present the visable viable thing to do, however from a future point of view, it is a waste of money to further extend a college in stockfarm. it would be best relocated. not everyone may like my comment, but its the truth, and the truth a lot of times does not sound so good to hear.
I agree with your view and those who oppose are the very ones who, at the point of labour destroying the works at the winsor park cited poor location as justification. Today these very persons are praising the Chinese built stadium at the very same unsuitable location.
Model in terms of aesthetic or the programs it provides? You could look good but ain’t worth a damn.
Lets hope it has good research and development programs geared towards Dominican development. Then we can use the model label.
DNO
For us D/cans overseas let’s have more picture of these capital and infrastructural projects, that’s designed to take us to the next level.
We are just so very starved of photgraphic evidence of our country on the move!
Thanks
State of the art building. Nice. Boy do we love a shiny building. Do we have state of the art professors too? And what about the curricula? state of the art too specific to the needs of the country?
It appears that the electorate voted in Gods to govern Dominica instead of men. Apparently they can complete the entire picture with one stroke of the brush.
This Government cannot be said to be sitting on its laurels. This is great!
Of course there are many of us Dominicns who simply cannot stand the thought of Dominicans at home doing good so they will pick at straws, turn gold into straws, and pass hateful comments for the same reason some black tribes in Africa who found happiness in Allah also found happiness in selling us – their own race – as “infidels” into slavery. Same mentality of creating an US and THEM out of US mentality.
Wake up people! Open your eyes. If you continuallly cry down and diss your own, YOU also will be weakened by it. A house divided among itself cannot stand up to the rigours of life. You are destroying US ALL. Keeping us back while vain-glorying that you are being smart and informed.
Let us all support each other, encourage each other and put our backs to the wheel. I for one will vote for who I want to vote for, but will respect democracy and support whoever gets into power so as to help build not only a better country but a nobler and more empowered people.
i am very happy with what the chinnese is doing for the negative and positive people of dominica.but my question is can these building withstand and earthquakes like how they had in china couple yrs ago?or a hurrican?and i`m not aking this to be negative
Ok stay negative…
The new State College is being financed with loan funds from the Chinese Government..a loan is a debt evidenced by a note which specifies, among other things, the principal amount, interest rate, and date of repayment. A loan entails the reallocation of the subject asset(s) for a period of time, between the lender and the borrower. WHO SUPPOSE TO PAY BACK THEM LOANS. MY TAX PAYERS MONEY??? WAKE UP DUMBNICANS
Is that what your concerned about?
Tell us how else we should finance it? Get grant funding we sell the country get concessionary loans we get a breakdown of what loans are and called Dumbnicans, because we the tax payers will have to repay!!!
Gosh with you people…. how can one win eh??
a class u teaching na? a-a
Congrats PM on all these new improvements in DOMINICA’S. Not just having improvements, but sustaining them. We are educators and students who have moved to the US to sustain our own personal life’s. We hope we will be able to come back home to give back to our country. There are a lot of schools in New York City with no progress and had to be shut down, or attract other good educators. It is not just a building, but what goes in the building.
I come to Dominica every year, because I have a house and property there, but the salary cannot sustain everything I have. We hope the Government could do everything in their power to attract us back home. Everybody in life are always looking for the best for themselves and their family. I love Dominica, please do something to bring us back home. Keep up the good work, and we will all join in the improvement of our country. All UNITE.
PAP U need to visit universities around the globe. Swiming pool is not only for parties but to train students/athletes. A form of exercise. we have so many rivers n close to the sea. our students can swimming well yet we donot take part in swiming olympics. stop settleling for medeocracy n say wat we doing with swiming pool. u guys r tooo narrow minded n need to broaden u minds n donot just aim for the center of the rope but go further.
Good one DNO, you can get a better picture. we live out of Dominica, you can do better.
Yes, pretty building…but it will be even more “chack” than the one we’re in now…there is no recreational area for students…no where to casually study or sit and talk…no where to just sit on a bench and relax when school starts to stress you…so glad I won’t be in that place.
Why is everyone saying the PM, Is it a single handed government or a Team of people. I am confuse. Please explain
When things are bad it’s the PM when things are good it’s the government. We are not easy in Dominica our little bless island.
Think about it….when the US does good or bad its the president….same or every countty…the buck stops atthe top
If we follow your logic we should praise mr. Williams, our President for his efforts, not the P.M. Good!
now we have new state of the art building I am hoping that there will be a move towards offering more bachelors programs. I am looking for that day when the teacher’s college branch of the state college will improve and offer B Ed instead of just associate degrees
si e bon, di e bon!
It is so very important to have a large office for the president……..
slowly but surely d/ca is getting there love the vibz.
Good things are happening.
Oh geez more tooting of his horn.
Credit where credit is due. Not everything should be turned into a political football. This is the first part of the equation and the challenge now is to match the quality of the education with those of the new facilities and have our degrees universally recognized.
Amen and amen.
Tertiary Education; I wonder if that word is appropriate in the context in which it is used, seen that the word also means ” third rank importance or value.”
It can also relate to higher education; or also relating to or constituting the third strongest of the three or four degrees of stress:
It has many more different meanings; outside of that small conflict, I must agree that the project is indeed a master piece, I believe was well thought out and implemented.
My concern is if the institution remains unassociated with some major university within the Commonwealth of nations the degrees obtained will serve only in Dominica.
It has to be associated with perhaps the UWI, perhaps Cambridge or some other for such degrees to be good in America there must be affiliation some large accredited university in the United States, which recognizes the curriculum of the Dominica State collage, wether it is a four or two year institution.
I know I am in hot water because of my opinion here, however, one must be reminded that only California recognizes some degrees obtained from the UWI.
They are recognized in England, but remember the first Chancellor was an old lady born of Royalty in England.
In any event it is something good, something that all of us Dominicans should feel happy about, regardless of the colors red it is painted.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
It seems to me we just cannot do anything nationally without using one of three colors of paint; that red, blue, and green; those are the colors that blind people, destroy unity , and keep our people divided.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Some updates, the state college is affiliated with the Wheelock College in Boston which recognizes our Early Childhood program and very soon we are hoping to offer a bachelor program in early Childhood education. Wheelock has accepted 63 transfer credits from our early Childhood Associate degree Curriculum which is great news for our Early Childhood program.
Well that is good news relayed to me, at least I find one person who is educationally informed and knows what this Wesley kid is talking about, I am not however, familiar with institution you mentioned, therefore I am going to do some research to find out if they are an accredited institution.
I thank you all the same for your contribution on the subject matter, I am sure that you are better educated than all the smart people who have given me the thumbs down.
I would yet advised that we seek to establish some relationship with an institution such as Harvard, Notredam , and the likes, but at this time anything is better than nothing for a start!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
You talk about division well man yr tounge u use it to divide and destroy yr country with yr crap talk. There are french students from Martinique and Guadeloupe in the state college for the school year. In September 2013 some of them will go to FRANCE or back to MARTINIQUE for the 2 yrs master degree so MR GRAND JEAN please shut up if u dont have any thing to say. You are a GRAND PARLEUR please get a PARLOIR that will suit u. Stay where u are leave us alone but dont forget u are a born Dominican.
CHECK the history of how the 1st world nation universities started, Dominica has to start somewhere. we have to first set up our college to meet global accreditation standards. there are several steps in the process to accreditation and sometimes its done by individual programs. we are too quick to compare a 34 yr old nation to names that that 300yrs old
The State College is on the path to regional and inter nation accreditation, it just doesn’t happen overnight..
look at their history.
This part of your comment that states that only California recognizes some degrees from UWI is definitely untrue. I went to the UWI Cave Hill in Barbados(pursued an undergraduate degree) and I am currently enrolled in a prestigious New York university and my degree from the UWI was accepted in order that I enroll to do my graduate degree.
While the Pm said that it will b the best, there is no mention of a well equiped library, a library, a language lab, science lab, sports centers, recereational centers, a swiming pool, student lounge, mechanic workshop, well equiped classrooms with projectors or teachers` resources. Now if u want to b competitive technology is the way. the chalk and board that d/a is using is nolonger effective. In the 21st century children r more visualize than wat they used to b back in the days. I know u guys r making an effort but teaching skills need to b upgraded. The old method needs to go. I use to b a teacher in d/a n now i am a student in the US.
In other words just be negative
Its not being negative but u guys r too narrow minded thats why everything is a wow for u all. visit other universities n see. common now. educate urself. i just think new school needs new teaching methodology n better resources for teachers. remember we r nolonger competing against the OECS countries but against the world. so our standards must be raised to meet expectations.
have you seen whats inside the builing it is not only chalk board, and what are you doing with a swimming pool at school is it a party. come on man STUPESSSSSSS
U need to visit universities around the globe. Swiming pool is not only for parties but to train students/athletes. A form of exercise. we have so many rivers n close to the sea. our students can swimming well yet we donot take part in swiming olympics. stop settleling for medeocracy n say wat we doing with swiming pool. u guys r tooo narrow minded n need to broaden u minds n donot just aim for the center of the rope but go further.
That only proves one thing: “You are never too old to learn”!
Ahwa, If you put the old method in the new building it will look nice. It’s the building that matters. If you make any other suggestions they will say you criticizing. But It would be nice to have a new plan and how children get into the college as well.
It’s like a bandage on a sore.
well its time for Dominicans like yourself to donate. you will notice that at your university, several buildings and facilities are named after someone or a family or a group of families.
Those institutions receive significant funding from their alumni, we all have a roll to play..
the rest is left to us. Now start write those cheques and get a lab named after you. you’ll be recognized for your donation.
we need to give back…. we like to compare our poor nation to wealthier once, but what we ignore is the fact that the citizens give back and develop there nation. we all seat back and expect the govt to provide it all, then we still complain about taxes when we have some of the lowest tax rates. Dominicans don’t even pay property taxes…
Strange, Just bring in the money and we will put Utopia there, too.
Onething MY PM TRYING EH !
…oh yes, very trying!!
your pm try god first,skerrit is not god.
Mule talk
The New Dominica State College deserves an applaud from every citizen on the island. No doubt, we ought to encourage and emphasize the importance of educating our people for a better future. Hope everyone is proud of the project when completed. Thanks for the grant from China.
Sorry! It’s not a grant. Therefore, I stand corrected due to your other article that clearly stated the avail loans funds made to D/ca for the State College. A “GRANT” is a gift for a particular purpose; act of granting is not a loan. Totally misleading eh.
I must congratulate the government for taking this iniatives. It is a giant step in the right direction. It is important to follow up with action – programs etc that would not render another white elephant.
We must work to build this institution to one that will attract regional students to begin. In my opinion the most meaningful project undertaken by this administration.
Very very good Job I must say
Dno you can get the picture of the state house,but you cannot get the picture of the college, DNO is an ARTist impresion of political sides.
you send dem and get a picture wii
What point of reference are you using to make such a Statement Mr. PM, is the college up and running ? is it operational ? Are you judging the quality of a Tertiary institution by the looks of the buildings that it is being housed in?. I would suggest that you wait, till the facility is operational, before you make such statements.
In other words PM, USA is telling don’t speak…shut up…let me USA do the talking
i agree
Idiot!!!
Sounds ok Thus far, we need some competitive salaries also on an ‘OECS’ level as an incentive 2 attract the best educators out there… also Mr.PM I would not be so quick to say that students can’t complain as this is what you will need for finishing-touch purposes, We are a democratic state so we have a right to speak. Bless
Well done Mr PM.Hope when it’s commendable work like this you also get the praise.
Last time I checked a building doesn’t give education. Staff do
I’m very glad that the government has taken the initiative to expand the Dominica State college. I hope that they continue by making sure that the institution becomes an accredited place of higher learning. I also hope that competent staff are added to the existing staff and these staff members receive a fair wage. There’s no point in making such a bold step and stopping. Go all the way.
The teacher do but students must have a place that is conducive to learning or the teachers’ efforts are wasted. the two go hand in hand.
For once I agree with you Anonymous. Qestion is, How the hell are we going to pay for all that??
Eddo have you seen that yet??,
Must admit, this beats a non-functioning fountain anytime. Fair is fair.
thanks to the efforts of the government on this project… 2000 students means 2000 jobs to provide every year.
It could also mean 2000 entrepreneurs. lets be more innovative and expect leaders to graduate from our college.
we all need to start thinking entrepreneurship, being employers and not employees… that mentally is limiting our GDP growth.
Stop looking to be employed and be an employers…
You seem to be praising the government on the one hand and then on the other hand appear to be infering that they may not be able to provide jobs for 2,000 graduates. Well everything can’t be done at the same time. There is an old saying that “Rome was not built in a day”. But by the way, although I cannot boast to be a student of demographics or population trends, I am almost certain that it would not be 2,000 new jobs because people die and create vacancies which must also be figured into the equation.
God bless D/ca and all her students! God bless everyone in the island in the name of Jesus. Thank You Lord for Your helping Hand. Let everyone say, Amen !
Amen!!
Amen