by Curlan Campbell
- Andrew Abraham, new TAMCC principal appointed on 1 September 2024
- Instrumental in developing ICT curriculum for Caricom region
- Plans for TAMCC include enhancing infrastructure and aligning curriculum with industry demands
Andrew Abraham, the new principal at T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), has outlined his agenda to improve the quality of education at the institution. His plans include enhancing infrastructure and aligning the curriculum with industry demands in areas such as agriculture, ICT, digital literacy, and sustainable development.
“A critical priority is also fostering strong partnerships with local, regional, and international stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the marine sector, and the hospitality and tourism industries,” he said.
Abraham also shared his long-term vision of positioning TAMCC as a regional centre of excellence in higher education, with a strong emphasis on vocational training and skills development. “This vision includes diversifying our programme offerings, expanding access to higher education through technology, and significantly increasing our role in research and innovation, particularly in the areas of climate resilience and renewable energy. Furthermore, we are exploring cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the performing arts, with an overarching goal of transitioning TAMCC into a full-fledged university.”
Abraham was appointed on 1 September 2024 to the position previously held by Dr Ronald Brunton.
However, as TAMCC continues to explore opportunities for integrating artificial intelligence into its curriculum development, Abraham said it is paramount to ensure that the institution incorporates cognitive and critical thinking skills across all subject areas. “Changes are essential in our curriculum development to ensure that we are not only keeping pace with but also anticipating the evolving demands of the job market,” he said. “We need to integrate emerging technologies, prioritise sustainable practices, and place a strong emphasis on essential soft skills like critical thinking, communication, financial literacy, and leadership across all disciplines.”
As the new principal, Abraham aims to create an innovative learning environment at TAMCC. His vision is for students to graduate with strong theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Achieving this goal will involve improving infrastructure, increasing access to digital resources, and forming partnerships with industries to provide real-world learning opportunities. He stated that TAMCC’s programmes will be closely aligned with national development goals to ensure the institution supports the country’s overall vision for progress.
Research indicates that as technology has become more prevalent in our lives, our ability to think critically and analyse information has declined. Abraham agreed that while many students are able to pass exams, they still lack the critical and emotional skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. Despite critical thinking being available as an elective course at the college, Abraham believes that TAMCC should integrate it into all aspects of college life. “While academic success is important, it should be supplemented by the development of critical thinking and emotional intelligence to adequately prepare students for the working world. At TAMCC, we are actively seeking to incorporate these essential competencies into the core curriculum and integrate them into our overall teaching approach.”
He explained, “This means promoting critical thinking across all subjects, not just in elective courses, through methods such as problem-based learning, collaborative projects, and reflective assessments. Additionally, we aim to expand internship and in-service training programmes across all areas of study, ensuring that students gain real-world experience and apply the skills they learn in the classroom to practical situations. By doing so, we can better prepare our students to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and emerge as adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and financially literate professionals.”
Abraham has extensive experience and has been instrumental in developing the Information Communication Technology (ICT) curriculum for the Caricom region. He has held several positions at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St Kitts. In addition to lecturing in Information Communication Technology, he also served as the Dean of the Division of Technical Vocational Education and Management Studies (TVEMS) and was the long-serving President of the institution.
Abraham, who was born and raised in Dunfermline, St Andrew, attended St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School and St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School before moving on to St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School. He spent his childhood roaming the cocoa, banana, nutmeg, and canefields of Dunfermline Estate and also dedicated many hours to playing tennis.
After completing his secondary education, he pursued further studies at Grenada National College. These formative years he said instilled in him the values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of community, which have greatly influenced his approach to leadership and education.
