CLOSE TO 100 of our students, whose classes transitioned to online delivery mode because of
COVID-19, are to benefit from a donation of computers made by the Heritage Petroleum Company
Ltd.
COSTAATT quickly pivoted many of its classes to online delivery, in two phases, after Government
announced the shutdown of all schools on March 13, in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic. As
the school shutdown extended, it meant that a number of students who had no access to computers
at home were left with no choice but to withdraw from classes.
That changed on May 20, 2020, when our Board’s Vice Chairperson, Dr. Rita Pemberton and Vice
President, Student Affairs, Dr Camille Samuel, led a team of COSTAATT employees to Heritage
Petroleum’s office to collect the PCs and thank the company for helping to bridge the digital divide.
“It’s a very important gesture and we are grateful for the generosity of Heritage Petroleum,” Dr
Pemberton said, adding that “we will now have more people completing their learning.” She
affirmed that it was a heartening reflection of the level of generosity that still exists in our nation.
It was a sentiment echoed by Dr Samuel. “Students are going to be extremely pleased by this
initiative. In fact, not only will they be able to complete their studies, it will help students to continue
their connection with us. During this time you can feel isolated…now they can navigate these
turbulent waters with us.”
Heritage’s Chief Financial Officer, Nigel Campbell, explained the rationale behind the company’s
donation: “COVID-19 has disrupted so many aspects of our daily routines; for many students this
means lack of access to the necessary tools for online learning. Education is an important element of
our Corporate Social Responsibility programme, and so today’s donation is aligned with that focus.
We sincerely hope that it will bring some measure of relief to the students of COSTAATT, who
require the assistance.”
The computers are being distributed on a loan arrangement to students across various programmes,
who are in desperate need of them to continue fulfilling their dreams; dreams that the College is
helping to transform to reality.
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