As part of its commitment to the development and empowerment of the business community and future business leaders in Anguilla, the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) has made financial contributions to two notable educational institutes on the island, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla and the Comprehensive Learning Centre (CLC). The donation ceremony took place on Monday, April 29th at the ACOCI Conference Room.
ACOCI President, Ms. Sandra Lovell shared the delight of the Chamber to be able to offer financial assistance to the two organisations. She commended the UWI Open Campus for their high involvement with their students and providing a well-rounded student experience and applauded Mrs. York Gumbs as an ‘unsung hero’ within the education sphere and Anguillian community. She further reaffirmed ACOCI’s commitment to the growth of the business community and its members.
A sum of US $2200 was donated to the UWI Open Campus Anguilla towards the establishment of a grant for a new or current business student. The grant will be available for the Academic year 2019/2020 and is open to students who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement and financial need.
Dr. Phyllis Fleming Banks, Manager – UWI Open Campus BOT’s, expressed her excitement and gratitude for the donation and the positive impact it will have for the recipient of the grant and the community. She stated ‘The Chamber has rightly identified a very important need to develop the business sphere and to support young people interested in pursuing careers in business and entrepreneurship. We love the energy we see from our young people. Their ideas are innovative and they are bold and brazen enough to take them to the next level. We are happy that ACOCI recognises the knowledge and skillset that UWI Open Campus can provide to these students towards making their businesses a success.’ Dr. Fleming Banks also shared her pleasure for the opportunity to take the partnership to the next level. The donation follows a recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations.
A second donation of US$3000 was presented to Mrs. Sandra York-Gumbs, Managing Director of the Comprehensive Learning Centre (CLC). The donated funds will assist with the development of a Science Lab. Mrs. York Gumbs expressed her joy and appreciation for the unexpected donation. She shared that while they have experienced challenges in setting up the lab, they are delighted to announce that CLC will be offering Physics and Human and Social Biology for interested students and at present there are 15 students enrolled in the Science Lab including high school and adult students.
Mrs. Felicia Hill, Treasurer of ACOCI, noted that the Comprehensive Learning Centre (CLC) has been very bold in expanding their horizon to offer science courses and more so to create a science lab. She further highlighted that the CLC is filling an important gap in providing students interested in the science field with a second opportunity to pursue their dreams.
The donated funds were raised at the ACOCI Starry Night Dinner and Dance held last June.
