Andel Bailey, chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Engineering at Northern Caribbean University, receiving his award from Dr. Ethley London, executive director of the University Council of Jamaica.- Contributed photos

Each year, the Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE) and the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) give an award to the top student from each tertiary institution. This year, Northern Caribbean University's (NCU) top student is Andel Bailey, doctoral student and chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Engineering. Mr. Bailey received his award on Thursday, February 8, at the third staging of the JCTE/ UCJ Awards Ceremony.

'Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week'

The event took place in week that was being celebrated as 'Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week' and in a year when the UCJ is commemorating its 20th year of existence. The ceremony, held under the theme 'Transforming Tertiary Education to Meet Global Challenges', highlighted excellence.

One student from each tertiary institution, nominated by that institution as the Most Outstanding Student, was presented with a special award, while another award was presented to an 'Outstanding Educator', Professor Marlene Hamilton, pro-vice chancellor and chairperson of the Board for Undergraduate Studies at the University of the West Indies. certificates of registration and accreditation were also presented, and individuals representing these institutions of higher learning beamed with pride as they received certificates assuring the quality of their programmes.

The NCU delegation was especially elated because another member of the NCU family was acknowledged at the awards ceremony. Mrs. Noriel Jacobs-Grey, coordinator of NCU's hospitality management programme was presented with a certificate for being a new member of the Hospitality and Tourism Board of Studies.

Outstanding Student

NCU's Outstanding Student, Andel Bailey, is pursuing his Ph.D. in education, specialising in Leadership. Mr. Bailey has successfully defended his proposal and is now looking forward to his graduation in August. Throughout his programme, the scholar has maintained a grade point average of 4.0. Mr. Bailey, himself an educator, has exhibited creativity and scholarship, and as a result, has been invited to publish the paper on qualitative research he completed for a research class in The Journal of Research on Christian Education.