MoBay Community College savouring its excellence
Published:Monday | November 25, 2024 | 12:06 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Impressive pass rates across multiple programmes –including agriculture, social work, hospitality, and culinary arts – underscore the remarkable achievements of students at Montego Bay Community College (MBCC).
Tagged the ‘College of the Future’, the institution has emerged as a beacon of progress, consistently delivering excellence in education.
During last Thursday’s graduation ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James, Principal Dr Darien Henry celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of MBCC’s graduates. He pointed to Noella Brown, recognised as the most outstanding candidate in the Caribbean in humanities by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), as just one example of the college’s academic excellence.
“We boast a 94-per-cent pass rate in agriculture and environmental science, while year-two bachelor students have achieved a 100-per0cent pass rate with an overall pass rate of 93 per cent,” Henry said. “The hospitality and culinary arts programmes continue to shine, with students earning 100 per cent pass rates and dual certifications through industry collaborations, including with the American Culinary Federation.”
Henry also commended the achievements of students in social work and architecture, emphasising that MBCC’s commitment to practical, hands-on learning ensures that graduates are not only academically proficient, but also industry-ready.
Under his visionary leadership, the college, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, has positioned itself as a forward-thinking institution.
“With a firm commitment to educational excellence, MBCC embraces a bold vision that blends tradition with innovation, empowering students not only with knowledge, but with the skills and adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
He emphasised that MBCC is not just keeping pace with the times, but is actively shaping the future. He referred to the institution as a “hub of creativity, sustainability, and excellence”.
According to him, the world around his students is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with groundbreaking innovations reaching industries, communities, and lives.
“At MBCC, we prepare you not just to face change, but to lead it. We nurture forward-thinking minds that will challenge the status quo and explore opportunities that others may overlook.”
However, while acknowledging change, he was quick to point out that the institution remains deeply connected to its rich history and the values that have shaped its identity over the years.
“Tradition is a strong foundation,” Henry said, “but it is our willingness to adapt, imagine, and innovate that will propel us forward.”
This philosophy has not only shaped the academic environment at MBCC, but also nurtured a culture of continuous improvement among students and faculty alike. As a result, graduates are equipped with both the technical skills and the critical-thinking abilities needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world.
At the heart of MBCC’s mission is the desire to empower students to be change agents in their communities and beyond, as the college of the future.
“We honour our history, but we are committed to the future,” Henry explained. “Your journey at MBCC is just the beginning. The world demands agility, innovation, and vision. Carry the lessons you’ve learned here, but don’t be bound by them. The future belongs to those who can adapt, innovate, and create new possibilities,” he told the graduands.
Some 216 students participated in the ceremony for the presentation of graduates 2024, who listened attentively and gave a rousing applause to keynote speaker, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Dr Kasan Troupe, whose words filled the room with inspiration, hope and encouragement.
Underscoring the importance of embracing excellence in all their endeavours, Troupe reminded them that excellence was not a destination, but a continuous journey.
In today’s rapidly changing world, she urged the graduates to leverage technology as a powerful tool to enhance their personal and professional growth.
“Technology is upon us, and you will need to leverage it,” she asserted, highlighting how technological advancements are reshaping industries and creating new opportunities.
She stressed that education is not confined to the classroom or to formal programmes but is an ongoing process.
“You are not done with your education just because you’ve graduated,” she emphasised, encouraging the graduates to seek out new knowledge and experiences continuously.