Mico president calls for more financial support for needy students

President of The Mico University College, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, has called for increased private-sector support for education through the provision of scholarships and bursaries to benefit young people from financially challenged backgrounds.

Pinnock said that education is expensive but is key in breaking the cycle of poverty in many families across the island.

Pinnock, who was speaking at a donor appreciation reception at Mico’s Marescaux Road campus in Kingston on Monday, said increased involvement of the private sector can add to a more prosperous and stable society.

“Businesses rely on the stability of a country, and results have shown that a stable nation is a much more prosperous country. We believe that education can help to solve some of the issues of crime,” he said.

“So, by investing in education and creating more opportunities for persons… we reduce the likelihood of persons moving into deviant and antisocial behaviour,” he added.

Dr. Pinnock told the donors that students at the institutions who benefit from grants and other financial support are giving back to their communities by volunteering at early-childhood educational institutions and participating in other efforts.

The reception was held to thank alumni and corporate companies that have provided support to Mico over the years, and to hear the testimonies of those that have benefited and continue to benefit from the contributions.

Mico receives $4 million each year in scholarships, which is credited to the accounts of second- to fourth-year students to complete their degrees.

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