PRO-CHANCELLOR of The Mico University College, Professor Neville Ying, says the teacher-training institution is far advanced in its plans to become a full university.

He said that two meetings have already been held with Senator Ruel Reid, education, youth and information minister, to move the process forward.

“We put our value proposition to the education minister, and then we took the initiative and actually drafted the bill in December (2017). We put the bill to him along with our seven building blocks (towards university status) and he was very impressed,” said Professor Ying.

Other initiatives undertaken by Mico towards full university status include attaining accreditation from the University Council of Jamaica for all programmes and courses offered.

“So we are organising our work through faculties and special schools, paying attention to research and publication, and the offering of programmes that are consistent with what the Government is trying to promote,” Professor Ying pointed out.

He was speaking following the presentation of a cheque to Mico by Kemtek Development and Construction Limited at the institution’s Marescaux Road campus on January 8.

Kemtek donated $6 million to Mico – $5 million towards a gate-upgrading project, and $1 million for the provision of scholarships for students from the Science and Technology Faculty.

Kemtek’s Managing Director Sylvester Tulloch said the Mico Foundation, of which he is chairman, is widening the entrance and exit points to the campus in order to improve the flow of traffic, particularly during peak hours.

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund has pledged to provide $12 million for the project, which is estimated to cost $22 million.

Meanwhile, Tulloch said that four students will benefit from scholarships from the $1 million provided.