Mico alumni donates $1m to needy students

NOLA PHILLIPOTTS- BROWN, a member of batch #146 at The Mico University College, recalled that as a student, a number of her colleagues dropped out of the diploma programme because of financial difficulties.

“As a result, we purposed among ourselves that we were going to try and make a difference, so that no student that we could help would fall out of their programme of study,” she said.

Added to that, they are aware of the challenges and hardships that college students continue to experience, especially in light of the negative impact of the COVID19 pandemic.

On Thursday, the alumni group handed over a cheque valued at $1 million to the tertiary institution.

Ten deserving students will receive $100,000 grants to offset tuition costs.

The student must have passing grades and will be selected on a needs-and-attitude basis from the college’s three faculties.

Another batch member, Hope Evans Wilson, said it was her hope and prayer that the recipients will continue to be impacted by the values of Mico.

“And that they, too, will go out and impact lives in such a way that they will contribute to the advancement of the welfare of the whole human race,” she said.

Evans Wilson shared that the funds were garnered through individual donations from batch members who are spread out across the world.

Mico President Dr Asburn Pinnock expressed his gratitude to the alumni group.

“The resilience of Mico is because of the generations of students coming back to support and to remind us that this is their institution,” he remarked.

The president said he could not minimise the contribution the alumni have made, especially during the pandemic when people are trying to reserve as much money because of the uncertainties.

“It is commendable and I know that our students will benefit and possibly return the support in years to come,” said Pinnock.