Mandeville, Jamaica…[Byron Buckley/IAD]
The president of the Adventist Institution Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica, Dr. Herbert Thompson, received the Manchester Parish Development Committee (MPDC) Excellence Award for his contribution to the field of Education during a ceremony at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville on Saturday March 27, 2004. The ceremony was part of an event at creating more public awareness about the MPDC, which provides governance from a community level.
Dr. Thompson was among five other individuals who was honored for his contribution to various sectors of society. A number of community organizations were also recognized for service to their respective communities.
Responding on behalf of those commemorated, Dr. Thompson noted that he was pleased that the organizers recognized those who served while they were still alive. He said the gesture was particularly rewarding because it came from people who saw and probably benefitted from the work.
Keynote speaker, retired Ambassador to Japan Dr. Earl Carr, hailed those being awarded for their invaluable contribution to the development of Manchester. He said that many items produced in the parish are in great demand in several parts of the world including Japan. Dr. Carr encouraged the stakeholders in the parish to harness these products and do whatever is necessary to promote and market them at the highest level. He noted that dialogue to this effect began at Northern Caribbean University two years ago, when a delegation from Japan visited the island.
