The Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) handed over 20 desktop computers to the T. A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) valued at US$23,754 in support of a Distance Education Centre for the Grenadian tertiary institution.
The hand over took place at a short ceremony on May 27, 2008
Speaking at the ceremony, Grenadian Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell, said that higher education is one of the keys to national and regional development and success in the 21st century.
“When we look at where open and distance learning has been applied globally, it has effectively increased access to education speedily, economically and to greater numbers of people than could be accommodated by traditional means.
“In Grenada and across the region, we are faced with increasing demands for tertiary level education and we are constrained by a shortage of fiscal, human and physical resources.”
As the CARICOM Head with responsibility for Science and Technology in the Region and under whose scope the CKLN falls, he told those gathered that educational processes had to be reformed to make access to learning easier.
“The incorporation of technology into the educational delivery process is the remedy and the CKLN is the mechanism to make it a reality.”
Candia Alleyne, CKLN project coordinator, lauded the Grenadian prime minister for his lead in ensuring that CKLN has steered the course in executing its work across the region, has continued to develop and attract donor resources. She also mentioned that TAMCC had been steadfast in the pursuit of getting its distance education programming off the ground.
With funding made available by the European Union (EU), CKLN was able to make the computer contribution to the College, towards strengthening that institution’s capacity for delivering distance education.
“CKLN is trying to support the development of tertiary institutions in the region towards increasing access to adult and tertiary education for all potential students of CARICOM countries that participate in the CKLN network,” she said.
Further to this she explained that collaboration among countries and institutions is central to the success of the CKLN programme in the region.