THE Mico University College will host its annual research symposium tomorrow at its Marescaux Road base in Kingston.

The symposium forms part of Mico Week of activities and will be held under the theme 'Institution Building Through Research: Responses in a Time of Crisis'.

A number of outstanding speakers, including educators, academics and professionals from a wide cross section of institutions, the private sector and civil society, will share their wealth of information and experience, and make presentations based on the theme.

Among them is executive chancellor of the University College of the Caribbean, Dr Herbert Thompson, who will give the keynote address at the opening ceremony Maxine Henry-Wilson, executive director and CEO of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission and former education minister, will open the evening session. Henry-Wilson is a former education minister.

The theme for the conference will form the basis of most of the presentations and panel discussions. Sub-themes include 'Developing a Knowledge-Based Economy Through a Research Culture'; 'Citizenship Education: Giving Voice to Communities'; 'Human Development: Environment, Safety and Security Implications for Education'; as well as 'Institution Building through Public and Private Partnership'.

Among the panel of speakers are Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of Jamaicans for Justice; Rev Claude Ellis, vice-principal of Ardenne High School; Robert Gregory, management consultant; Assistant Commissioner of Police Dormah Harrison; and Elva Williams-Richards, vice-president of finance at the Port Authority of Jamaica. Presenters include Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee, director of Mona GeoInformatics Institute at the University of the West Indies; Dr Andrea Baldwin, College of Business and Hospitality Management, Northern Caribbean University; and The Mico's own Professor Arnoldo Ventura, from the Institute of Technological and Educational Research.

Mico President Professor Claude Packer said that the institution continues to embrace a culture of research as it transitions to a full university.

"Our mission is to transition to a research-based university to enhance the pedagogical knowledge of our student teachers, so that they will be equipped to confront and solve issues which impinge on educational performance and empower future students in their charge to achieve excellence, and thus lead to national development."

Research Day is a part of Mico Week celebrations designed to, among other things, highlight the legacy of the 177-year-old institution.

Among the sponsors are Scotiabank Limited, Digicel, COK Sodality Credit Union Limited, the JTA Co-operative Credit Union, University Council of Jamaica, First Union Financial Company Limited and The Mico Foundation.