Jamaica continues to benefit from the contributions of her locally trained tertiary education graduates, many of whom are educated at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), was the clear message emanating from recently held Jamaica Gleaner luncheon. The Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists President and NCU Board Chairman, Pastor Everett Brown, and University President Dr. Trevor Gardner along with Dr. Aston Barnes, a former professor in the History department at NCU, on Thursday May 17, 2012 sat down with the Honourable Oliver Clarke, Chairman of The Jamaica Gleaner the oldest Newspaper in Jamaica, and, Editor of the Overseas Publication, Paget Defreitas for an insightful exchange as Jamaica’s 50 years of independence is reflected upon from different vantage points. The team spoke candidly about the growth of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Jamaica, the development and contribution of NCU locally and in the region, and the impact that these entities can have on Jamaica.      

Dr. Gardner lilted about the impact that NCU can have on the nation through its graduates. “We prepare people in most disciplines to become nation builders and as we venture on the path of preparing the best graduates, we are currently asking employers to hold us accountable for the product that they get. If these employers are not satisfied with the product, we are suggesting that they send back these graduates for us to sharpen them and retrain where necessary,” Gardner posited.

NCU President Dr. Trevor Gardner makes a point during the meeting 

“We are not isolated from the world with the many challenges faced, but as far as it’s possible, we intend to impact the world in a positive way through our graduates and our various expertise.”

The Honourable Oliver Clarke quizzed the board chairman and the president on the growth and development of the SDA owned and operated university. Brown responded: “As head of the church in Jamaica, we work with NCU and our congregants in providing representation and assisting in building this nation as best as we can.”

Dr. Gardner continued, “we are preparing nation builders in all areas. We know that as an educational institution we are not immune from the activities that are affecting the world as we remain in this world. We are mandated to continuously impact the world in a positive way always.”

Pastor Everett Brown, NCU Board Chairman shares in the discussion 

NCU, the largest tertiary institution in central Jamaica, has within its realm the propensity to be an advocate for the population outside of metropolitan Jamaica. Dr. Gardner placed on record the mission of NCU to work at building an informed population by moving with alacrity to respond to the real concerns and challenges facing the nation and the world at large.

“We are not a boastful set of people, but whatever happens in Jamaica with our people we are actively involved armed with  problem solving techniques, without shouting; though the tremendous work that we do at NCU is continuing and the transformation process is ongoing,  successes are evident,” Gardner posited.

In the world of academia, the language of research is oftentimes not communicated to the population effectively, and though NCU continues to do substantive work in research in different parts of Jamaica and the Caribbean, the public is not always made aware of this work in a timely and effective manner.

Pastor Brown was asked to share on the proposed labour reform ‘flexi-time’ that has generated much debate among the religious sector in society. In responding, the Chairman of NCU board and president of the SDA church in Jamaica highlighted, “we as a Bible believing denomination believe that each individual should be given the opportunity to worship on a day of choice, hence we submit that within the ‘flexi-time’ arrangement, an individual should be given an opportunity to worship yet serve their country in an effective manner.”

There are many SDAs who work in the essential services who give of their time and resources in making the lives of those they serve more beneficial and meaningful. We as a church expect our members to be upstanding citizens who value and practise the moral principles which will distinguish them as children of the Most High.”

It was agreed that NCU as a tertiary institution  is a strong scholarly repository and with the SDA church as the foundation on which this education is taught, there is a considerable reach for all the entities involved to effectively create a rural development think tank to change the way people view the concept of rural development.