History
July 18, 2022 2023-08-23 14:49History
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About Turks and Caicos Islands Community College - A Brief History
The establishment of a Community College in the Turks and Caicos Islands was visualised and vocalised as far back as 1989. The rationale was based on the desire to advance higher education, in particular where the establishment of a local College would ensure that more persons had access to tertiary education. In 1992, Chief Minister, Hon. Charles Washington Misick of the PNP Administration, publicly stated his government's intention to develop a Community College. Subsequently, the Minister of Education, Hon. Arabella Smith, set up a task force to conceptualise the idea of a Community College. Discussions were organised with the general public to obtain feedback on the establishment of a College.
In early 1993, Mr. Kurt Johansen, Regional Education Adviser to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, was contracted to do a study on the feasibility of establishing a College and the possible location for such an Institution. In late 1993, Dr. Jacob Bynoe did a study that outlined further steps that needed to be taken for the establishment of a College.
In early 1994, the Government sought assistance from the Caribbean Development Bank to fund a study for the development of the Community College in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Dr. Alfred Sangster, then President of the University of Technology in Jamaica, did an in-depth study on the establishment of the College, and on the basis of his analysis, concluded that there was an urgent need for a Tertiary Institution (Community College) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He further recommended that the administrative centre of the Community College should be located in Grand Turk, with a secondary Campus in Providenciales; the College in Grand Turk should be started in rented premises to be followed by relocation to a permanent sight to be constructed at the Education Department site.
On 2 September 1994, the Ordinance establishing the Community College as a Statutory Body came into effect and on 18 September 1994 the College was opened in Grand Turk, using temporary facilities at the Helena Jones Robinson High School with a branch in Providenciales using the facilities at the Clement Howell High School. A Board of Governors was established and held its inaugural meeting on 21 October with Mr. Carlos Simons, Attorney at Law, as the first Chairman of the Board. The Board members were: Mr. Sterlin Garland as Deputy Chairman, Mr. Glennevans Clarke, Ms. Marjorie Simms, Dr. Rosita Butterfield, Mr. Hartley Coalbrooke as the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Julia Williams as the Permanent Secretary for Education and Dr. Jacob Bynoe the Principal. In attendance was also the Hon Arabella Smith, the Minister of Education. The College's Office was staffed by Dr Jacob Bynoe, a Guyanese national, as the first Principal and Ms Deborah Dickenson, an indigenous person, as the Secretary/Administrative Officer and Secretary to the Board.
There was a change in Government in January 1995 and the Hon. Clarence Selver, the newly appointed Minister of Education in the PDM administration, proceeded with the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC). An official opening was held on 4 March 1995, at which time the College was housed in rented premises at Harbour House in Grand Turk. A year later, the secondary campus, the Provo Campus, moved into rented facilities at Butterfield Square in Providenciales. In 1995 the College held its first institutional development workshop with Mrs. Norma Holder, Principal of the Barbados Community College, Dr. Keva Bethel, Principal of the College of the Bahamas, Dr. Leyton Thomas of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Dr. Kevin Lillis of The British Development Division and Dr. Alfred Sangster of the College of Arts Science and Technology (now University of Technology), as advisors for the development of the College. It was recommended that the Campus in Providenciales should be developed into a Hospitality Training School with some Technical/Vocational programmes being offered. All other programmes at that time should be offered at the Grand Turk Campus. In late 1995 and into 1996, Hon. Selver led consultations and discussions regarding a suitable location for the College, as it was evident that the space which was allocated at the Department of Education Compound was very inadequate and serious attention was given to the use of the former - naval facility in Grand Turk, once refurbished, to be used as The College.
In June 1996, Mrs. Julia Williams, the then Permanent Secretary for Education, was seconded from the Government service as Principal Designate and appointed as the first indigenous Principal in February 1997. In September 1997, Mr. Carlton Mills was appointed as the first Deputy Principal, resident in Grand Turk. In October 1997 the Further Education Development Project was launched, with the objective of strengthening and expanding the capability of the TCICC to provide improved and increased opportunities for post-secondary, adult and continuing education.Through the modification, rehabilitation and upgrading of the former naval base in Grand Turk, along with the provision of equipment, furniture, instructional materials and technical assistance for institutional strengthening and project management,the Grand Turk Campus operations were realised. The Project was financed by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, and implemented with APEC Consultants of Jamaica as the consultants and Kee Chanona of Trinidad as the contractors. The first phase of a Master Plan, which provided a rationale physical plan for the timely and orderly development of the facilities at Lighthouse Road, North Point in Grand Turk, to accord with the aims, objectives, academic vision and future plans of the College, was completed on 12 June 2001. With its formal dedication on 31 May 2002, the College moved into a spacious Campus in Grand Turk.
In September 2001 Mr. Carlton Mills, the Deputy Principal, was transferred to Providenciales to coordinate the branch in Providenciales, while Mrs. Claudia Smith was appointed as the first Dean of Academic Studies, resident in Grand Turk. Mr. Samuel Forbes was the first Dean of Technical Studies, who later served as Vice President and administrative head of the Providenciales Campus. In 2003, as numbers increased, the Providenciales Campus was relocated into more spacious rented accommodation. In 2015, once again, the swelling numbers and new programmes forced the College to consider yet another move. There were plans to construct a purpose-built College Campus in Providenciales, with advanced facilities for Sciences, Hospitality, Technical and Vocational Studies, to complement its current Arts and Social Science offerings.
Originally, the TCICC was on the quarter system. However, in August 2004, the College transferred to a semester system similar to other regional and international institutions of higher education. The College continues to exhibit steady growth. It has linkages with several UK, North American and Caribbean institutions whereby credits are easily transferred. New programmes continue to be developed in keeping with the College’s mission statement.
In 2012, following the retirement of President Rev. Julia Williams, Emeritus Professor Mr. Lee Ingham assumed leadership of the College until August 2015. Dr. Hubert Fulford, former Academic Dean, then took on the presidency, succeeded by Clara Gardiner, Interim President, after his retirement in September 2021. Dr. Candice Williams, previously Chair of the Faculty of Education and Training and Assistant to the Vice President, became President on 1 October 2022.
In 2015, Dr. John Mubenwafor became the Dean of Academic & Student Affairs, later succeeded by Suzette Creary, former Chair of the Business Administration faculty, in September 2022.
In 2021, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, of the PNP government, transferred the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme to the TCI Community College from the Department of Education. On 1 July 2021, TVET was integrated into the TCI Community College, with Kevin Baxter appointed as the inaugural TVET Dean. This step underscored the government's dedication to nurturing human capital. Also, during this year, the PNP government sanctioned a comprehensive organisational review of the College. Dr. Barbara Ambrister led as the primary consultant, supported by Dr. Allister Hinds. This review led to a complete restructuring of the College, strengthening its governance and institutional frameworks.
The restructuring introduced new positions, including Quality Assurance Manager, Curriculum Development Specialist, Assessment and Monitoring Officer, Workforce Development Officer, Marketing and Communications Officer, IT Manager, Student Support Officer and Human Resource Manager. Nomenclature changes included Vice President Finance, Executive Vice President, Campus Manager, and Finance Manager and a two-year temporary Provost position in Phase 1 of the restructuring. Phase 2 will come into effect during the 2023/2024 fiscal year and sees the introduction of a Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Operations, College Counsellor, and an Assistant Registrar.
Upon assuming the role of President, Dr. Candice Williams spearheaded the development of a new College vision, mission, and core values. These foundations are integral to the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College's aspiration to become the first choice for education and training, both within the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond.
The assuming the role of President, Dr. Candice Williams spearheaded the development of a new College vision, mission, and core values. These foundations are integral to the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College's aspiration to become the first choice for education and training, both within the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond.
