The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) has become the first and only institution in the Caribbean region to partner with Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK) to offer students pursuing a bachelors in select locations abroad, to complete their first year while remaining in the Territory. Photo: Provided

President of HLSCC, Dr. Richard Georges said that twenty to twenty-five years ago, it was not a norm for Virgin Islands students or HLSCC graduates to choose the United Kingdom as the next stop in their Higher Education journey. Photo: Provided

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the College held an official launching ceremony for the NCUK’s International Year One programme at its Learning Resource.

NCUK is a consortium of leading universities in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Canada and is dedicated to giving international students guaranteed entry into their worldwide network of universities.

During her presentation at the ceremony, Global Development Director for the NCUK, Ms. Maria McKenna stated that NCUK works with many partners globally and noted that the Virgin Islands (VI) is the first location in this region to be launching such a partnership through HLSCC - which she is very excited about.  

She also shared that she is hopeful that the programme can attract students from other islands in the region and give as many persons as possible an opportunity to start their studies at HLSCC and eventually embark upon a journey overseas.  

Ms. McKenna added that the NCUK works very closely with students in their network to give them as much information as possible about their study progression options.  This affords opportunities to match the desires and aspirations of young persons and chosen universities for an even more enriching experience.  

HLSCC Students now able to complete programs 

For the upcoming Fall 2023 Semester, the first cohort of HLSCC students will be able to complete NCUK’s International Year One programme in Business Management – a route that opens the door to popular university courses such as Finance and Economics, Human Resource Management, Marketing and many more.

President of HLSCC, Dr. Richard Georges said that twenty to twenty-five years ago, it was not a norm for Virgin Islands students or HLSCC graduates to choose the United Kingdom as the next stop in their Higher Education journey.

President Georges said, “Post 2022, what doors are opened to us have changed. A growing percentage of our graduates select the United Kingdom as their next port of call for baccalaureate studies and masters and doctorate education.”

“The College’s role in our community is really to provide access to opportunity - whatever that access may be. Our role isn’t necessarily to be the one at the finish line for everyone’s educational journey. Our role is to be the catapult.. the foundation... the launching pad. We are not at all a jealous institution. What makes us happy is seeing our students thrive and succeed,” the President added.

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro endorsed the partnership and emphasized the Ministry’s support of the College in its endeavor with NCUK.