BCC takes steps to gain regional, international accreditation

“We are hoping to fast track that process by putting some more work in this year. We are working on our newly revised strategic plan as well, which is all part of putting measures in place in order to achieve accreditation status.

“We also have in place a number of [MOUs] with colleges [and] universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, We also have  [MOUs]  with our local tertiary institutions like the University of the West Indies as well as the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute for Technology where we are looking at having articulation agreements where students at BCC could complete two years in their associate degree and then complete their [bachelor’s] degree in two years or in some cases one year.”

Alleyne added that the aesthetics of the campus were being improved and over the past three years eight labs were refurbished and upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities and other buildings that were considered to be health and safety risks were addressed.

She said that some of the buildings were repainted such as the administration block, the Liberal Arts Department, the Division of Commerce as well as a few on MorningSide, noting that in the next financial year the college wanted to repaint more buildings.

The BCC principal also said that over the past five decades, the campus has produced outstanding professionals in society such as principals, politicians and even high ranking officials in the clergy.

During the service, the Anglican Bishop of Barbados Michael Maxwell, who is also a BCC alumnus, said that a good educational foundation was the key to success but it did not guarantee it. He said that one should not expect a job to fall into their lap but rather they must get up and seek out employment opportunities.

On the spiritual side, Maxwell said that as Christains, showing up for service, paying tithes and singing songs of praise and thanksgiving were not enough to serve God. He said God required his followers to live by justice, to help rectify the inequalities in life, such as hunger, abuse, discrimination and violence, that cause people to suffer and to strip them of their basic human rights.

He said it was important to help the elderly and provide opportunities to the disadvantaged.

Noting that it was necessary for the church to meet people where they are, Maxwell said God also required his people to show mercy, having mutual respect and displaying acts of kindness, love and forgiveness.

He added that God was calling worshipers to walk a certain path and act in a way that He would respond to things in the world. (SZB)