Dr Claude Packer (third left) with Billy Heaven (left) Dr Esther Ying and Hugh Morris at the Mico University College alumni luncheon last Thursday.

Despite the threatening rain, alumni of the Mico University College came out to support the association's quarterly luncheon. Held on Thursday, at the Alhambra Inn Hotel, old friends got a chance to catch up before getting down to the meat of the matter.

The guess speaker was Dr Claude Packer, principal of Mico University College. He notes that Mico is the only institution in the world that started as a normal school that is not currently a university. "It has been offering diploma/certification programmes for 173 years. But, a diploma in teaching no longer has currency across the world," he said.

Mico's vision

Miconians (from left) Majorie Henry, E. Juanita Campbell, Claris McDonald and Lileth Bryan came all the way from Clarendon to support their alumni's quarterly luncheon. - Photos by Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer

He pointed out too, that the Government's vision and the current education system, must form part of Mico's vision. He noted that in September, the institution will be admitting its first batch of full-time degree students at the bachelor's and master's levels. Come August, the institution should be offering another 20 degree programmes.

Dr Packer also pointed out to his fellow alumni the vision of the institution. "The Mico University College will be the college of choice in the Caribbean for students pursuing degrees in teaching by producing critical thinkers and problem solvers who embrace life-long learning, to contribute effectively to an improved quality of life at the personal, national and global levels."

Ruthlyn Nicholson (standing) hangs out with old friends Jennifer Martin (left) and Pansy Porteous.