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Hiring? NMC may be worth a check
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Posted on Apr 14 1999
Board Chairman Manuel Sablan is asking the administration and the legislature to first explore experts working at the Northern Marianas College before seeking outside professional help.
He said it is frustrating to see government agencies recruiting anthropologist and professionals coming from University of Guam, Hawaii and from the mainland when the college has its own team of experts.
“We have the credentials out here. Why don’t we do these projects and pay us,” he said.
Sablan also wants NMC to take part in the Free Trade Zone project by gathering scientists and computer wizards to the CNMI.
Since he assumed the Chairman post last year, he has been seriously considering its campus on Rota as a regional research center for medicine and agriculture where these scientists can come in.
NMC officials has earlier approved the transfer of the Land Grant program to Rota and its move will help achieve the research center by the turn of the century.
Sablan hopes to link Rota to the nearby University of Guam and even Hawaii University.
“The concept is also good for the island of Rota since its officials are focusing on eco-tourism,” he said.
By creating a research hub on Rota, its student population will increase and help off-set the high cost of educating its present small group.
Currently, NMC is finding it hard to offer a full-blown academic program on Tinian and Rota because of low enrollment while the cost is high.
The Chairman is also emphasizing the need for NMC officials to work with the Public School System.
He said there are many ways where NMC and PSS can pool its resources together for a common goal. He cited the possibility for PSS and NMC to maintain a single personnel and recruitment office, procurement process, financial management system and information system.
“We need to look at common denominator and work with PSS,” he said.
The Board has met with Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos who has been positive over their future partnership.
