Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Sharon Wolfe (left), university vice-president, addresses members of the media during the press launch of the Mico Biennial Gold Medal awards ceremony to be held March 17 at the Hilton hotel, New Kingston. Looking on are Hugh Morris (centre), president of the Mico Old Students' Association, and Dr. Burnett Burton, vice-president of Mico University College. The press launch was held at the Mico University College, St. Andrew, yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

The vice-principal of the Mico University College yesterday dismissed claims that the institution was not ready for university status.

"I wouldn't agree with them, because I think that the staff quality is comparable with those (at similar institutions) in Jamaica," said Dr. Burnett Burton, noting that 15 lecturers there possessed Ph.D. degrees.

The administrator spoke to The Gleaner following the launch of the Mico Old Students' Association's (MOSA) Biennial Gold Medal awards ceremony, held yesterday at the institution's Marescaux Road, St. Andrew, campus.

But critics, including some students, have argued that more resources should have been put in place before Mico, one of the oldest teacher-training colleges in the Western Hemisphere, dating back to the early 1800s, achieved university status.

Mico College was granted university status last July by an act of Parliament. The institution now offers a wide range of diploma, undergraduate and graduate degree, programmes.

Dr. Burton said the institution has established a new library, while steps are being taken to upgrade the others with approval already granted for the procurement of databases from other academic libraries.

Far from the truth

"So, to say Mico is not ready for university status, is far from the truth," said the vice-principal.

Some of the academic programmes the university offers are a bachelor of science degree in guidance and counselling, master of science in teaching, and a diploma in policing science.

Proceeds of the awards ceremony, scheduled for March 17 at the Hilton hotel, New Kingston, will be used to develop a digital information library at the institution.

Five Miconians - two local, two from overseas and the principal of the institution - will be honoured at the ceremony, which will be held under the patronage of Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall and his wife Rheima, also a graduate of Mico.

petrina.francis@ gleanerjm.com