About

Dominica State College (DSC), established in 2002 through the amalgamation of the Clifton Dupigny Community College’s Academic and Technical Divisions, the Princess Margaret Hospital School of Nursing, and the Teacher Training College, serves as Dominica’s premier tertiary educational institution. Located at the Stock Farm Campus in Roseau, DSC comprises the Faculties of Arts and Sciences, Applied Arts and Technology, Health Sciences, General Studies, and Teacher Education. The college operates under the guidance of a Board of Governors appointed by the Ministry of Education.

Historical Timeline:

1960s: The Teacher Training College was established in Bath Estate, Roseau.

1972: The Technical College commenced operations at the Stock Farm campus, initially staffed predominantly by English instructors, with Mr. Arthur Nesty being the sole Dominican member.

1973: The Technical College was formally inaugurated. That same year, Mr. Reynold Bunche joined as a lecturer in Automobile Engineering, dedicating forty years to the institution.

1974: The Sixth Form College began without a dedicated campus, conducting classes across various secondary schools in Roseau, including Convent High School, Dominica Grammar School, and St. Mary’s Academy.

1975: The Sixth Form College was officially established, utilizing the University of the West Indies Centre as its base. Mr. Jeff Gough served as the first principal, succeeded by Dr. Kay Polydore.

1980: The Sixth Form College relocated to the Technical Wing of the Dominica Grammar School.

1983: A merger between the Sixth Form College and the Technical College resulted in the formation of the Academic Studies Division and Technical Division of the Clifton Dupigny Community College (CDCC), with Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo as principal.

1990: Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo transitioned to the role of Minister of Education, and Mr. Henry Volney became Director of the Academic Studies Division, a position he held until 1998.

1995: Mr. Merrill Matthew assumed leadership of the Technical Studies Division.

1998: The Academic Studies Division moved to a new building at the Stock Farm campus.

2002: Through an Act of Parliament, the CDCC’s Academic and Technical Divisions amalgamated with the Dominica Teachers College and the Princess Margaret Hospital School of Nursing to form the Dominica State College. This initiative, envisioned by the late Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas, was championed in parliament by then Education Minister Honorable Roosevelt Skerrit. The transition was facilitated by sixteen teams representing various aspects of the new college, led by Mr. Zechariah Pollock, Head of the Education Planning Unit of the Ministry of Education, with support from consultant Dr. Hilroy Thomas and committee members Ms. Avril Warner and Dr. Helen Francis Seaman. Dr. J. Bernard Yankey became DSC’s first president, followed by Dr. Annette Bardouille and Mr. Hubert Charles, each serving two-year terms.

2003: The newly formed Dominica State College held its first graduation ceremony and was officially inaugurated at this event.

2008: Plans were approved for the construction of a new DSC campus, with funding anticipated from the People’s Republic of China.

2009: DSC introduced its Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, expanding its academic offerings to include four-year degree programs.

2011: The college reintroduced evening classes for students pursuing certificate programs, complementing the traditional daytime degree courses. In 2011, Dr. Donald C. Peters assumed the presidency and continued to lead the institution until 2023.

2019: The government abolished tuition fees for students who completed CSEC examinations and attended high school in Dominica, as announced by Prime Minister Honorable Roosevelt Skerrit.

2023: Dr. Donald C. Peters retired, and Ms. Trudy Christian was appointed as the Officer-in-Charge, bringing a renewed focus on academic excellence and infrastructural development. 

2024: DSC, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), embarked on a project to develop policies guiding the creation, delivery, and quality assurance of online courses. This initiative aims to introduce at least 15 new online courses by the next semester, expanding learning opportunities for students. 

2025: The college announced the commencement of a new academic semester starting January 20th, with approximately 150 new students accepted. Orientation sessions were scheduled for January 15th and 16th, and class selection began on January 13th. The final application deadline was January 10th, with a late fee applicable for submissions after the initial December 19th deadline. 

As of 2023, DSC serves approximately 1,500 students with a dedicated academic staff of 100, reaffirming its status as the largest educational institution in Dominica. The college maintains affiliations with institutions such as the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology, Jamaica, enhancing its academic offerings and opportunities for students. 

DSC remains committed to shaping the future through excellence in education and innovation, fostering a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and community engagement to prepare students as socially responsible global citizens.