The University of the Virgin Islands has
obtained funding from several sources that will provide employment
opportunities this summer for 21 Process Technology students at the
HOVENSA Refinery. Six UVI students have been offered internships by
HOVENSA LLC, which is a requirement for obtaining their associates
degree in Process Technology at the end of the Fall Semester 2009.
The other 15 students will be employed as summer students. Twelve
of these students are being sponsored by the Virgin Islands
Department of Labor and three students are being sponsored by the
Office of the Senate President, Louis Patrick Hill. The program
began on Monday, June 29th and will end on August 7th, 2009.
According to the Process Technology program director, UVI Assistant
Professor Eric Douglas, the summer employment/internship program at
the HOVENSA Refinery provides students with the opportunity to
experience "firsthand" the theoretical knowledge that they have
gained in the classroom.
The two-year degree program in Process Technology at the University
of the Virgin Islands is a collaborative effort between UVI and
HOVENSA LLC, which was first implemented in the fall semester of
2002. The program now boasts an enrollment of close to 100 students
and a total number of more than 60 graduates. The vast majority of
Process Technology program graduates are pursuing rewarding careers
at the HOVENSA Refinery. Several of these recent graduates/ new
employees have distinguished themselves by excellent job
performance and have received awards in recognition of their
work.
"The Process Technology program's summer program is a rewarding
example of industry impacting future generations through
education," said UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster. "I applaud
the public and private sectors for supporting this very worthwhile
endeavor."
There are several critical components or elements to the Process
Technology program at UVI that have made it the success that it is
thus far including:
- The close working relationship between the University and HOVENSA LLC
-
The financial support that HOVENSA LLC has provided throughout the years.
- The access that HOVENSA LLC has provided for use of its training facilities to teach the core Process Technology courses.
- The availability of trained professionals at the refinery who are willing to teach many of the core Process Technology courses.
The availability of employment/career opportunities at
the refinery for Process Technology graduates. The continued growth
and success of the Process Technology program at UVI will depend on
strengthening and enhancing these key components.
For more information on UVI's Process Technology program, please
contact Eric Douglas at 692-4153.
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