Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter
The impressive Viv Logan portrait smiles down on Mrs Hyacinth Chen and her son Michael Lee Chin, at the opening of the nursing school named in her honour at the Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester, on Sunday, August 10.
Most men seem to have a soft spot in their hearts for their mothers. Don't quite know what it is, but it is usually a kind of unconditional love that surpasses all.
In September 2006, Michael Lee Chin, chairman of the National Commercial Bank (NCB)/ executive chairman, AIC, donated $142 million to Northern Caribbean University (NCU) to build a world class nursing school, to be named in honour of his mother, Hyacinth Chen. Construction commenced in March 2007.
Lee Chin gave an additional $105 million for the completion, furnishing and equipping of the building last February. Of this amount, $35 million helped to subsidise the cost overrun, which included building materials and labour costs, while the remaining $70 million was used for furnishing and equipment.
On Sunday August 10, much to the delight of the NCU family, Lee Chin and his family witnessed Hyacinth Chen officially cut the ribbon to open the doors to the school of nursing at NCU.
Mrs Chen also witnessed the unveiling of a full-length portrait of herself done by artist, Viv Logan. The impressive portrait is located on the building's facade.
Fire of ambition
Lee Chin credits his mother for lighting the fire of ambition in him and told the opening ceremony that his greatest joy was seeing the school named in her honour. "Like many of you here I have been blessed with a great mother," he said.
Having received an offer at 18 years, when he was a baby to study nursing in England, she gave it up because she could not bear to leave her son.
In appreciation for his mother's sacrifice and hard work, Lee Chin further said in his tribute, "Mom, I always said that when I grow up I want to be just like you. I haven't got there yet, but I am still trying.
"Our contribution to this building is really an investment in young Jamaicans who ask solely that we provide opportunities for their advancement. I can never forget when the Government of Jamaica stretched out its hands to me, a poor student, enabling me to complete my university degree in engineering," Lee Chin said.
The grand blue and aquamarine building situated on a 21,000-square foot area of land, overlooking the serene countryside of central Manchester, will facilitate the relocation of the existing nursing department, which will now have more offices. In addition, classrooms, nursing labs and an anatomy and physiology (A&P) lab will also be housed within the building.
Equipped
Each lecture room in the new school is equipped with a built-in multimedia centre which includes a 65-inch high definition flat screen LCD television and a 7.1 surround-sound theatre-like speaker system, connected to a PC for educational presentations and a DVD player for visual presentations.
Currently, the university's nursing school has a population of 400 students; however, the new school can and is expected to accommodate 800 nursing students doubling the department's current student population. Some 30 students entering the school, who have been successful in the prescribed exams will be offered scholarships valued at US$3,500 each, dubbed the NCB Foundation/NCU inaugural scholarships.
A radiant yet humble Hyacinth Chen not only expressed gratitude to her son but also to NCU for their example of faith, hard work and perseverance.
"I thank my son Michael for generously making this venture possible. I am forever proud of his kind giving spirit to give back to community and country. I am thankful to my family for they have been my comfort and support for all my adult life. And most importantly, I thank God for all the blessings that he has bestowed upon me," she said following the opening.
Stirring episodes
She spoke of the many stirring episodes of her life, and as her children, grandchildren and well-wishers surrounded her, Chen sent a strong message to incoming students to the school.
"There were times when I virtually had nothing, but I never stopped dreaming and working," she said.
"Your success is inside you, only you can make yourself fail. If you have a dream for yourself, don't let others take it away from you. Don't get side-tracked or frustrated, be focused, work hard, avoid vain and artificial things, believe in yourself and have faith in God," she concluded.
Guests included: Ambassador and Mrs Richard Bernal, Custos . Gilbert Allen and wife Georgia, Hon Margarett Best, Patrick Hylton, Herbert Thompson, Patrick Allen, Paul Gyles, Joy Little, Heather Fletcher, Daniel Fider, Michael Coombs, Nadeen Campbell Brown, Basil Sturrup, Andrea Chisolm, Marilyn Anderson, Rhoma Tomlinson and Kimberley Whyte plus scores more.
It's a family affair as members of the Chen clan come out to celebrate the opening of the Hyacinth Chen Nursing School at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester, last Sunday. From left are: siblings Michael Lee Chin, Richard, Colin and Charles Chen; parents, Gloria and Vincent Chen, Lisa Stultz, as well as Robert, Jeremy, Jody and Wayne Chen - photos by Keisha Hill
