17 Bermudian Students Graduate From NEIT

Madam President, you may recall on April 27th, I released a press statement advising that 17 Bermudian students would be graduating on May 3rd from the New England Institute of Technology [NEIT] thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] signed between NEIT and the Department of Workforce Development. At that time I advised the students would be graduating in various courses – from Information Technology [Cyber Security] to Occupational Therapy Technology, to Auto Body, among many others.

Madam President, the majority of these students received sponsorship from the Department of Workforce Development as well as financial awards from NEIT. The general intent of the MOU is for both organizations to cooperate in education and training initiatives which will further develop the skilled labour force of Bermuda through developing and accessing educational programs.

As relating to the funding, there are generally six quarters for each degree [Associates or Bachelors] program. The Department of Workforce Development pays for the first, second, fourth and fifth quarters and NEIT pays up to a maximum of $5,000.00 for the third and sixth quarters. In the fiscal year 2014/15, the Department funded a total of 29 students at approximately $139,731.00 at NEIT.

As a reminder, the graduates last weekend included the following individuals:

Tyree Armstrong [AS] Auto Body
Jevon Baker [BS] Information Technology, Network Engineering
Barak Bremar [AS] Electrical with Renewable Energy
Raymeisha Butterfield [AS] Occupational Therapy Assistant
DaJon Carey [BS] Automotive Service Management
Patrick Chapman [BS] Automotive Service Management
Zi-ne Franklin [AS] Information Technology / Networking
Jelania Hassell [AS] Criminal Justice
Jasmine Hendrickson [AS] Graphics/ Multi-Media/ Web
Jabari Hollis [AS] Auto Body
Riley McLaughlin [AS] Electrical with Renewable Energy
Irving Outerbridge JR [AS] Information Technology / Networking
Tiffany Samuels [MS] Masters in Science Information Technology
Regino-Che Smith [AS] Information Technology / Networking
Ronald Smith [BS] Architecture Building Technology
Lacie Williams-Hill [AS] Nursing
Stefan Lambert [AS] Auto Body

Madam President, my Permanent Secretary, Mr. Randy Rochester, the President of the Bermuda College, Dr. Duranda Greene, and the Training Manager within the Department of Workforce Development, Mrs. Pandora Glasford, attended the graduation to support the graduates as well as took part in some of the official events.

The Bermuda contingent also had opportunity to hold discussions with many of the faculty of NEIT…and were pleasantly surprised with hearing the NEIT faculty expressing sheer delight at the quality of the Bermuda students who they considered to be family.

Mark Seltzer, the Director of Admissions for International Students stated, “Our 75th commencement was the highlight for another fine group of Bermudians who joined the long tradition of hundreds of NEIT graduates from the island. This year was even more special for us as the Bermuda students once again broke new ground as being the first from the island to receive the following degrees from NEIT:

An Associate in Science Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant,
A Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing; and,
A Master of Science Degree in Information Technology.

Mr. Seltzer went on to say, “NEIT is proud to be part of a strong working partnership with the Government of Bermuda’s Ministry of Home Affairs through Workforce Development. Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry is our roadmap for providing technical education opportunities to the citizens of Bermuda. NEIT’s relationship with Bermuda has never been stronger. We are currently working on a new initiative with Bermuda College, a long and valued partner of ours which will strengthen the opportunities for Bermudians far into the future.

The Bermudian students that I have worked with have all been a pleasure to have on campus. They are extremely willing to help plan and participate in various events. Many Bermudian students have participated in the colleges 6 vs. 6 soccer [football] tournaments and have been one of the leading teams in most tournaments. Many have also become involved in student clubs on campus and have developed leadership skills and have formed new friendships.

Many have shared their Bermudian family recipes, which lead to the college’s food service provider in creating a Bermudian lunch day for the entire campus to experience. Many have shared their kite making traditions, which also lead to a campus wide kite making activity. Our Bermudian students enhance the college community.

The group that just graduated has been excellent, academically and socially. A few of them developed their innate leadership skills to become active in campus activities and in the community…a true pleasure to work with this group of Bermudian Students.”

Truly Madam President, the sentiments expressed by Mr. Seltzer should make Bermudians feel proud indeed. And I would personally like to congratulate the NEIT graduating class of 2015 – as well as thank their families and friends who have supported them along their respective journeys.

Madam President, as I conclude, I would like to provide a few quick facts about NEIT as follows.

They have been helping to educate Bermuda students for over 15 years

They also reached out to industry on the island to provide training to current and future employees

They have strong relationships with the government and private schools on the island

They have an articulation agreements in place with Bermuda College

There is a long lasting and strongest partnership with an MOU first through the NTB and now the Ministry of Home Affairs through Workforce Development. Currently close to 35 Government sponsored students on campus

There have been close to 325 Graduates on the island broken down as follows:

Over 250 Associate of Science Students who have attended
Over 72 Bachelor of Science Students who have attended
1 Masters of Science Student [with more to come]

Thank you, Madam President.

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