Ocean Point Terminals Donates $140K to UVI Process Technology Program

Ocean Point Terminals
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Ocean Point Terminals officials present UVI faculty and students with a check donation for the UVI Process Technology Program.
From left to right (Front row): Meridith Prince (OPT Training Supervisor), Dr. Victoria Henry (UVI Assistant Professor), Jeff Charles (OPT COO), Raheem Smart (Student), Afifa Gordon (Student), Mitchell Neaves (UVI VP Institutional Advancement), Sauda Ali-Coureur (OPT Employee and Program graduate), and Erica Parsons (OPT Stakeholder Relations) (Back row): Khalil Lockhart (student), Winston Ferrance (Student), and Alvin Clement (UVI Faculty) [Submitted photo]
Ocean Point Terminals (the Company), presented officials from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) with a check for $140,000 as part of the Company’s annual commitment to support training, education and workforce development programs.  “We are extremely pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the university’s Process Technology Program, which prepares students for diverse fields in process operations,” said Jeffrey Charles, Ocean Point Terminals chief operating officer.

“Some of our absolute best operators and professionals have completed the UVI program, and it is our pleasure to renew this commitment for the sixth year in a row,” said Charles.

University officials who were on hand to receive the gift expressed their appreciation for the annual donation which helps to support the process technology degree program.  “With the support from Ocean Point Terminals, UVI is able to help meet the territory’s needs in process operations,” said Victoria Henry, Ph.D., UVI assistant professor of process technology.

“Graduates from the Associates of Applied Science degree program in process technology go on to have successful careers with local and international companies as well as pursue advanced degrees in chemistry, engineering, computer science, business and medicine, and we are sincerely grateful to Ocean Point Terminals and look forward to sustaining a longstanding relationship,” said Henry.                                                                                                                                  Sauda Ali-Coureur, who is a former UVI process technology graduate and Ocean Point Terminals employee, praised the program.  “Some of us were not mechanically inclined when we started, but because of the program that is something we can add to our toolkit. Additionally, we were able to learn more about manufacturing and other process operations that aid us in our career daily,” said Ali-Coureur.

“UVI is pleased that Ocean Point Terminals is partnering with us to ensure that students trained in our process technology program receive current and appropriate instruction,” said Camille McKayle, Ph. D., provost.

“They provide funding that allows us to offer eleven courses in these areas, and our students reap the benefits. In the long run, we all benefit as industries are assured that our graduates are well trained, and graduates are able to step into stable professions. We value Ocean Point Terminals’ contributions and commitment to the university and this territory,” said McKayle.

Some of the UVI program’s faculty and current students were in attendance, in addition to Ocean Point’s Training department.