The Anguilla Community College moved a step forward in its organisational structure with the formal installation of a Board of Directors at a ceremony, in the Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building on Tuesday evening, April 28, ably chaired by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett.

Board of Directors and Ministry Officials: Front row: P.S. C. Petty-Barrett, Mrs. R. Brooks, Mr. E. Reid, Mrs R. Richardson-Roydon, Mr. M. Rogers. Back row: Mr. C. Rogers, Mr. V. Brooks, Mr. C Richardson, Ms. V Richardson, Mr. E. Hughes and Mr. O. Proctor

This followed the recent passage of the enabling legislation, putting the development of tertiary education in Anguilla on a solid footing. Addressing the gathering of Government, education officials and members of the community, Minister of Education, Evans McNiel Rogers, said the Government had “every confidence in the capacity of the members of the Board to nurture and direct the development of the Anguilla Community College from this embryonic stage to full maturity.”

Mr. Rogers, who named the members of the Board, said that as required by the Act, they represented various areas of expertise. He went on: “Mrs. Rhona Richardson-Roydon (Chairperson) and Mr. John Christopher Richardson represent industry and the interests of non-Governmental organizations. Mrs. Rosena Brooks (Vice Chairperson) represents expertise in curriculum development. Mr. Orris Proctor represents expertise in education management. Mr. Elvet Hughes brings expertise in education planning. Mr. Carlyle Rogers brings expertise in finance and business. Mr. Vanburn Brooks has expertise in project management. Ms Vernette Richardson brings legal expertise and last, but by no means least, the use of technology allows us to have on the Board expertise in tertiary education management provided by adopted Anguillian Mrs. Bernice Critchlow-Earle (of the Barbados Community College).”

The Board members, appointed for three years, were installed and given their commission by Governor Alistair Harrison.

The Minister of Education said the Board had been installed at a challenging period in Anguilla’s social, economic and political development. “While we battle to combat and prevent social decline, try to find new means of generating revenue and reducing expenditure and prepare for constitutional change, this Board must provide opportunities for our people to advance intellectually,” he stated. He urged the Board that while being familiar with the local context, it must also be cognisant of the global context in which the College must operate.

“I charge the members of this Board to always remember the three basic principles of access, partnership and responsiveness which are the foundation of the institution you are to build,” Mr. Rogers told them, in pledging the support of the Government for the Anguilla Community College.

Former Minister of Education, Eric Reid, spoke of his early involvement in the plans for the establishment of the College and about the number of persons involved, including Anguillian Dr. Arthur Richardson and Dr. Bevis Peters of the University of the West Indies who drew up the Master Plan. He was pleased to see the installation of the first Board of Directors and said that the College was of much importance to Anguilla. He said that their appointment was a red letter day for Anguilla; they had a great task ahead and he expressed his confidence that Anguilla would be proud of their work.

The feature address was delivered by Mrs. Dulcie Richardson, OBE, a retired and outstanding Anguillian educator in St. Kitts. She spoke on the topic “Tertiary Education: A Catalyst for Socio-Economic Development,” and expressed the hope that the programmes to be delivered by the Anguilla Community College would serve as a catalyst for the social and economic transformation of the island.

After noting the global economic situation impacting Anguilla, Mrs. Richardson observed that this might be the best time for officially establishing the Community College beginning with the installation of the Board of Directors. “Some experts theorise that a dwindling economy actually helps to stimulate student enrolment and that it rises as the economy falls,” she observed. “If that is so, then the opening of the College at this time will see a larger number of students enrolling in the various programmes that would normally have enrolled in a booming economy.”

Mrs. Richardson said that a more educated populace would qualify for more profitable and more socially responsible employment; the potential for development initiatives would increase; and areas of health, education and welfare, would have an additional impact on living standards. The entire country would therefore benefit from this increase in economic activity, but with a more socially responsible direction.

Mrs. Rhona Richardson-Roydon spoke on behalf of herfellow Board Directors each of whom she praised for their expertise, while pledging to commit herself to the task of leadership with their dedication and support.
“I know that we face serious challenges ahead,” she continued. “We wouldn’t be Anguillian if we didn’t. But as our beloved author and historian (Colville Petty) reminds us, our forebears persevered through far worse. Who are we then to complain? “She thanked the Minister of Education, Mr. Rogers, Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, Project Director, Mrs. Dawn Reid, and her staff, for their confidence in the Board of Directors. “I pledge on behalf of the Board of Directors, with God’s help, to do our best and to make you and our island home proud,” she added.

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