I leave school in just a few months... and then do what? My children have to get a degree... where should they go? My students are counting on my advice on which university to attend... which one do I recommend? Tertiary education is no longer an option (except you are a brilliant entrepreneur or athlete), but a necessity for anyone seeking upward mobility. However choosing ‘the right institution’ can be an overwhelming task. Therefore, the students, parents, and advisors must ask themselves... Which learning environment gives the best value for money? Which institution’s curriculum caters to the academic, spiritual, social, physical, and personal development? Where can I become a good corporate and private citizen, and a more rounded individual?

 
A group of students on the campus of NCU

The answer to all of these questions is Northern Caribbean University (NCU). You may ask, what separates NCU from many other tertiary institutions in Jamaica? NCU is ‘set apart’ because of its unique curriculum and course offerings, inimitable campus culture, and rich Christian heritage and philosophy.

NCU is proud of its qualified and capable facilitators, and degree programmes, this, according to Dr. Paul Gyles, Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. He notes that these two variables help students to gain quality education which makes them employable around the world. This, he attributes to the university’s prominence locally and internationally, and Christ-centred curriculum.

 

A recent group of graduates

According to Dr. Gyles, the university’s “semester by semester scheduling” of courses is also worthy of note because it “has depth” and unlike its counterparts, it allows students to choose courses that best suit their needs and circumstances.  Information Science major, Andre Freemantle says the flexibility in course load options is one of the things he likes most about the university. “It gives you a balance... Also, students might not know their calling right away...so they can try a variety of courses based on their aptitudes and abilities.”

 

Microsoft Software Imagine Cup champions for the Caribbean and Latin America

Mr. Freemantle is of the view that the university, specifically the Computer and Information Science Department, is ‘set apart’ from its counterparts at other institutions because of the continual practice and invaluable hands-on training garnered. He went on to say that since enrolling he has developed a greater appreciation for information science and is even considering trying out for NCU’s Imagine Cup Team. It is evident that NCU students pay for more than the opportunity to ‘read for their degrees’ but rather the harnessing and development of their passions, skills and abilities through a rich Christ-centred education.


The Male dormitory at NCU

Male Dormitory (Cedar hall) Dean and Director of Social Development, Sefton Brown, beams that NCU’s campus culture is enviable and one worthy of emulation. He holds that NCU is “the only institution in Jamaica that offers so much sporting, and cultural activities” while maintaining such high academic and spiritual standards. This, Dean Brown believes makes NCU extraordinary and creates a balance in the lives of its students. According to Denese Brown, a junior majoring in Medical Technology, the campus culture “offers the opportunity for anyone to study and provides an alternative to many social problems our society faces”. NCU is proud to say that it is one of the only ‘drug free’ tertiary institutions in the Caribbean, and has some of the safest campuses in the country. This, Ms. Brown confidently declares “has and will continue to distinguish” the ‘beacon on the hill’ and make its graduates “cultured, affluent persons”.

Assistant VP of Student Services, Mrs. Beverly Henry, says that NCU students are taught to face life, and secure good careers and promotions easily, because “business people are excited to say ‘we have an NCU graduate working here’”. According to Mrs. Henry when persons see NCU they should see “dignity, refinement, honesty, discipline and reliability” because of the high morals and Christian philosophy the university upholds.

In the future Mrs. Henry says she would like to see continued and improved intellectual excellence. She also hopes to see the NCU graduate “building on the institution’s firm foundation...and continuing to set themselves apart as the hallmarks of greatness”. Northern Caribbean University is a university like no other. If you are still thinking ‘what should I do next?’, ‘where should I send them?’, ‘which institution do I recommend?’ Think somewhere different; think of a memorable experience; think of piloting your own destiny, think of the beacon on the hill, think NCU.

Written by

Jéan-Pierre Robinson