Martin Doel OBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, visited the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education in May as part of his official welcome to the College in becoming the newest member of the Association.
Mr Doel toured the College facilities with the Principal, Geoff Draper, and met staff and students, culminating in a lunch with Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, Professor Ronald Barr, CEO of the Department of Education and Children, and senior staff.
Mr Draper said:
‘The Association of Colleges is an excellent organisation to be part of and the College will benefit greatly from its resources, research and networking opportunities. It is important for the College to benchmark itself against the highest of standards across all aspects of its business and being part of the Association of Colleges will certainly assist the College in providing the best learning opportunities for students across the Island. It is a particular privilege to have the Chief Executive visit the College and share his vision and experience with us, for which I am personally grateful.’
Mr Doel said:
‘I was very pleased to be able to welcome the Isle of Man College to the Association of Colleges and to have had the opportunity to meet with the Minister and Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Children, as well staff and students in the College. The issues being faced by the college in serving its community, students and employers felt very similar to those faced by colleges in England and the results achieved are very impressive in terms of the breadth of courses offered and the quality of outcomes for students. Colleges in England will have things to learn in interacting with the College, as well things to offer and I hope that the AoC itself can help in building these links.’
Mr Doel is pictured (second left) presenting Minister Crookall (second right) with the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education’s certificate of membership of the AoC, alongside Mr Draper (left) and Professor Barr.
