The NCU Concert Choir wowed the audience with a classical piece entitled, 'I Saw My Land in the Morning', composed by Noel Foster-Davis. The piece was specially arranged for the Independence Day Ceremony by Andrew Marshall, chair of NCU's Music Department and director of the NCU Concert Choir.

The College of Business and Hospitality Management at Northern Caribbean University is responding to the need for industry-related degree programmes and courses in the island's north and south coast tourism belts. The bachelor and associate of science degrees in hospitality and tourism management can now be pursued at any of the university's campuses in Mount Salem, Montego Bay, Salem-Runaway Bay or Kingston. Many high-school graduates, persons seeking to start their own businesses and those already working in the tourist industry will be able to take advantage of the programme during the day classes. Online plans are afoot for these degree programmes, allowing easy access to tertiary education from anywhere in the world that has Internet access.

Northern Caribbean University is the only tertiary institution that offers the Bachelor of Science degree in resort and spa management in the Caribbean and has been doing so since August 2004.

Noriel Jacobs-Grey, hospitality and tourism management programme coordinator in the college says "Our offerings in the hospitality and tourism management programme are relevant and dynamic, and our graduates are employed with not only major local tourism players, but also international ones as well."

Renowned for its one-on-one interaction between faculty and students, the students enroled in the programme are required to do 1300 hours of work experience of which 600 is for the practicum/work experience requirement.

The remaining hours are for additional work experience which makes students more rounded and grounded in their field.

Additionally, students are required to plan and execute conferences and tours before they graduate.

NCU students, Clayton Brown, Hysathea Hyatt and Kadian Brown, having been accepted by Courts Jamaica Ltd to participate in the Courts Junior Management Programme (JUMP) for 2009, were successful in acquiring scholar-ships from the organisation. The scholarships were presented at an awards ceremony held recently in the Grand Caribbean Suite of the Knutsford Court Hotel. On hand to support these scholarship recipients were NCU representatives, Susan Long Gordon, director, alumni relations and student aid, and Angela Mattis, internal communications officer.

The New Students' Orientation, now referred to as First Year COMPASS (Campus Orientation and Mentorship Program for Academic and Social Success) recently welcomed new students into the university family at the university gymnatorium on the main campus in Mandeville. NCU is known for its signature nurturing and mentoring environment.

The First Year COMPASS is a programme that facilitates the transition of new students from high school or other tertiary institutions into a higher educational Christian environment. The COMPASS programme ensures that the appropriate avenues are utilized to attain not only social and academic edification, but personal and professional excellence as well. The programme is planned and coordinated by the department of Freshman Advisement, Recruitment and Retention, in collaboration with various university departments which play integral roles in the develop-ment of the NCU student.

Jamaica Public Service Company recently presented $8 million in grants to financially challenged students studying at the three major universities in Jamaica and the St Patrick Foundation, at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

The funds received by the JPS are to be administered by the universities to students seeking financial assistance. Dr Herbert Thompson, president of NCU, in response to JPS, expressed his gratitude for what he called a tangible expression of care and corporate responsibility. During these harsh economic times, the JPS and NCU will continue in their shared campaign to impact the lives of students facing financial difficulties in attaining higher education.