THE ST VINCENT and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), has partnered with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to launch an initiative geared towards enhancing the college’s online teaching and learning capacity, as part of COL’s Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC).

The project is expected to span two major phases, the first focusing on pedagogy, course design and development, and the second, on the development of eLearning policies and procedures, the college said in a release.

At the launch on Monday, February 6, 2023, Dr. Mairette Newman, Education Specialist with responsibility for VUSSC, said the initiative will offer faculty training for SVGCC lecturers, support in policy development, technical training, as well as aid in the establishment of a culture of learner-support.

According to Newman, at the end of the project the SVGCC will be better positioned to reach students, in the event that the students cannot physically be present at the various campuses of the SVGCC. Newman said “If the student cannot come to the SVGCC, then the SVGCC comes to the student”.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who also spoke at the project launch said in addition to what the Commonwealth of Learning is offering, he is hopeful they also assist in helping the college and the country better coordinate its existing e-Learning structure in a more comprehensive manner to allow for greater use and access. He also reassured on the commitment of the newly established Ministry of Post-Secondary and Tertiary Education, for which he serves as Minister, in advocating for better policy development.

By June, 2023, 30 lecturers will be trained through this project and undergo instruction in courses such as Foundations of Assessing Learns Online and Effective Learner Support in the Online and Distance Learning Environment. The SVGCC currently operates its own Moodle platform.