Dominica State College (DSC) has announced a major milestone in its pursuit of long-term institutional development, securing four distinct grants from regional and international funding bodies to advance upgrades across technology, infrastructure, policy development, skills training, and learning access. The awards mark a key step forward in the college’s broader strategy to diversify its revenue streams and reduce dependence on traditional public funding.
The funding comes from four partner organizations: the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), Mercy Corps, and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), according to an official press release issued by the institution. Each grant is targeted to address a unique priority for the college, with shared goals of boosting institutional capacity and lifting educational experiences for both enrollees and faculty.
The first confirmed project, backed by a $20,000 contribution from ARIN, will see the launch of the DSC Youth Internet Governance Lab hosted within the college’s existing Innovation Hub. This hands-on initiative will task students with addressing real-world connectivity challenges facing the DSC campus, while giving them opportunities to build actionable skills in technology development, academic research, and global internet policy governance.
A second collaboration, between DSC and Mercy Corps with funding provided by the United States Government, is developing the Wood Innovation Studio as part of the regional Caribbean United programme. The studio is designed to bridge traditional Dominican woodworking craftsmanship with cutting-edge modern manufacturing technology, creating a dedicated practical space where students can explore sustainable carpentry, custom product design, and local fabrication using native wood resources. The project also integrates formal entrepreneurship training, with the core goal of equipping young learners with marketable job skills that open new employment and small business pathways in the local green economy.
The college’s long-standing partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning is being extended through this latest grant, supporting ongoing work to update institutional academic policies and scale up online learning offerings. This investment is expected to strengthen DSC’s ability to deliver flexible, accessible education opportunities that fit the diverse needs of its student body, including working learners and those in rural communities.
Finally, through the 11th funding cycle of the Basic Needs Trust Fund programme, DSC will receive support for a campus-wide infrastructure enhancement project. While the college’s press release did not disclose specific details of the construction or upgrade works planned, the investment will address critical physical infrastructure needs to support modern teaching and campus activities.
College leadership emphasized that securing these four grants is part of a deliberate, long-term strategy to build a more financially sustainable and resilient institution, reducing overreliance on traditional funding streams. Success in winning the awards was credited to the targeted grant mobilization work led by Malisa Richards, operating under the supervision of Dr. Hermancia Eugene-Zamore through DSC’s Office of Academic Affairs.
Moving forward, DSC confirmed it will continue to proactively pursue new partnerships with international development agencies and grant-making organizations to sustain investments in campus innovation, infrastructure, technology integration, and student-centered learning improvements.