The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) kicked off voter education and empowerment efforts on February 20th by hosting part one of a two part series called “The People’s Forum- A Dialogue with Voters”. The first forum, where newcomers Jacqueline Haynes, Roy McTaggart, Wayne Panton, and Marco Archer, along with the incumbent Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Rolston Anglin, had a chance to address voters’ questions on corruption, transparency, good governance and accountability, generated tremendous buzz for days after.   Between the targeted, blunt questions about the Nation Building Fund and “vote buying” tactics used by candidates, and the sometimes equally candid and passionate responses offered by a few candidates, those who attended or tuned in were certainly left with much to digest.

“Thus far we have received very positive responses about the first forum,” states Director of Student Services Mr. Mitch Ebanks.  “We have been taking the suggestions, both from those who attended and those who tuned in from home, and we will be making some small adjustments that will hopefully only serve to improve the quality of the event,” he adds.

The second and final forum, which will be held on Wednesday, March 20th, 6:30pm at the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall at UCCI, will focus on the topics of youth, education, employment and crime.  “UCCI is a unique educational institution,” explains Mr. Roy Bodden, President of the University College. “We have young people as young as fifteen (15) on our campus, as well as mature learners who themselves have fifteen year-old children or grandchildren.  It is therefore fitting for us to host a forum that focuses specifically on these topics as they are certainly interlinked” he adds.

Invitations were sent to all independent candidates who had declared by February 21st, the United Democratic Party (UDP), the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), as well as all current Ministers. Participants for the upcoming March 20th forum will include independent candidates Mr. Winston Connolly, Ms. Tara Rivers and Mr. Stefan Baraud, PPM representative Mr. Kenneth Bryan, and current Minister of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr. Mark Scotland.  Mr. Ben Meade, Cayman 27 News Director, will moderate the event.

UCCI will once again be working in partnership with Cayman 27 and Radio Cayman to ensure that all voters, including those in the outer districts and the Sister Islands, have access to the information that will be provided at the event. The first hour of the forum will be broadcast live by Cayman 27, and the entire forum, scheduled until 9pm, will be broadcast live on radio by Radio Cayman.

Those who attend the forum will have a chance to ask the candidates questions directly or to submit questions in writing throughout the event.  However, UCCI has already started soliciting questions from its students and the community at large: persons wishing to put forward their questions can do so by emailing  [email protected] or by submitting questions directly on Facebook on www.facebook.com/officialUCCI . Both the email and the Facebook option will be open throughout the forum so that those watching/listening from home or the Sister Islands can interact with the candidates as well.

Tune in to Cayman 27 and Radio Cayman 89.9FM on Wednesday, March 20th at 7pm to hear “The People’s Forum” live.  For more information, log on to  www.ucci.edu.ky and click on the forum banner or email [email protected].

University College of the Cayman Islands

UCCI is an institution of higher learning that contributes to the Caymanian society by advancing knowledge and developing creative graduates, and through its cultural, social, economic and environmental activities. “We will admit all students with the potential and passion to learn. We will challenge students intellectually and prepare them for life in the global market place”.

The goals of the University College of the Cayman Islands are:

. To provide high quality education in career, liberal arts and transfer programmes;

. To encourage the maximum development of student potentials;

. To develop the competence of undergraduate students in basic skills;

. To prepare students in career programmes to meet the standards and competencies required for employment;

. To foster social and political awareness and involvement in the community through academic programmes and extra-curricular activities;

.To respond to the varied educational needs of the local community through a broad range of continuing education, career training and community service programmes;

. To develop new educational programmes in response to the economic development needs of the community in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Government, the

Chamber of Commerce, and other local associations;

. To provide a systematic process of review that assures the realisation of the mission and goals of the University College.