Community colleges expect increase in scholarship applications

The umbrella organisation that represents community colleges in Jamaica is bracing for an increase in the number of students applying for scholarships.

Executive Director for the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ), Dr Donna Powell-Wilson, said there was a sharp increase in the number of students who applied for scholarships during the 2018/2019 academic year and she said the CCCJ was expecting applications to increase going forward.

“We really hope that the word will now be out in institutions and persons will be enthused to apply,” she said, adding that applicants must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average to qualify," Powell-Wilson told JIS News.

Several students were presented with scholarships during the just-concluded CCCJ international conference held at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel and Spa in Montego Bay, St James. 

In the meantime, the CCCJ executive director said more research is now being done by community colleges.

“Most of the research [findings presented during] the conference came from [community college] faculties. This means that in the colleges, we are paying more attention to research, which is good,” she said.

Powell-Wilson further stated that the CCCJ recognises the importance of empowering the support staff in community colleges, noting this was a key focus area for discussions during the conference.

“We recognise that they are the first point of contact in our institutions and our students need to know that the support staff is there to aid them,” she noted.

Powell-Wilson said the CCCJ has endorsed the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s thrust to ensure that all students are able to earn at least an associate degree, adding that the organisation is “committed to [aiding] in the fulfilment of [this] vision.”

The conference, which was held from January 9 to 11 under the theme: ‘CCCJ: Forging Pathways for Future Empowerment’, brought together key stakeholders and practitioners for discussions on best practices for retooling and up-skilling the Caribbean labour force.

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