HLSCC grappling with resource challenges - Dr Richard E. Georges
Dr Georges, who was appointed Interim Acting President of HLSCC effective October 22, 2019, said, "The most essential challenge for the institution is its access to resources - financial and human. I believe the College has come to a proverbial crossroads. Standing still is not an option. Positive action has to be taken to propel the institution forward."
Embracing the Digital Age
In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Dr Georges related that part of addressing the challenges, "includes developing our most viable educational products for international markets. These are our marine, maritime, culinary, and hospitality programmes and courses... In addition, we must embrace the digital age of education to ensure that we can compete on the global stage."
He said after that, the college has to implement measures to attract international students both in-person to the programmes mentioned as well as online. When questioned; however, about digital access by local students given the local bandwidth challenges, he said that the bandwidth required from students for the digitisation initiative is minimal.
"But, to that end, we will be engaging with service providers to make considerations for our students. One provider will be ready to go in the near future," he said while noting that negotiations are still ongoing.
Professional Growth
With the departure of Mrs Vanterpool, who officially resigned from her post on October 18, 2019, a new Presidential search has just commenced under the supervision of the Board of Governors at the College, Dr Georges said.
He noted; however, that he remains quite comfortable in his current role as VP even as he is serving as the Interm Acting President.
"I have been quite blessed in my career to have had a diverse number of enriching experiences. In addition to my work teaching and in administration at the College, I have taken advantage of opportunities to develop myself professionally," he said.
Dr Georges further noted that some of his experience and opportunities included lecturing in the UK and USA, taking leadership positions in international societies, serving on boards of other educational institutions, and lobbying for support for the UK OTs writers at the British Council and the Commonwealth Foundation.
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