Former chairman of Bermuda College Jan Spiering feels likes a proud parent.

After heading the college's board for the past two years - his appointment was not renewed at the start of this year - he believes it is now on the right path and does not need him anymore.

"I feel like we have done an awful lot during the last two years and the college is now on the right track and is heading in the right direction," said Mr. Spiering, who spoke to The Royal Gazette last week before an announcement on who would be appointed chairman of the board was made.

"I feel I have done most of my job now. I'm very proud of what we have done, and I'm very proud of the executive and the staff.

"The train is now on the track and it's beginning to pick up a bit of speed. It really doesn't need me any more."

Mr. Spiering took over at the helm of the board at the start of 2001 with the aim of turning the college around by making it more responsive to the needs of residents and businesses, and ensuring that students were successful, regardless of their academic ability.

The college is now aiming to be all things to all men - at least as far as it can be.

For a number of years, under previous guidance, it was hoped that the college could be turned into a university, but on an Island so small, it was believed that that plan would never work and that idea was eventually thrown out.

Instead, two years' ago, the board and the Ministry of Education opted to transform the college to make it more relevant to the Island, and to build greater links with universities and colleges overseas.

That has demanded a change and improvement in the courses offered, higher standards and a greater commitment from everyone involved.

Instead of offering courses in Latin, for example, there are now courses in plumbing.

With new president Dr. Michael Orenduff, who was brought in 18 months ago on a three-year contract with the aim of taking the college in a new direction, Mr. Spiering said he now believed the institution had turned a corner.

It has been totally re-organised, with much greater strength in the hospitality, business and technology areas, and is now even on course to be accredited by the US.

During the past 18 months, more than ten articulation agreements have been signed with colleges overseas to enable Bermudian students to easily transfer points to complete degree courses overseas.

And new standards have been introduced, morale has been raised, and further enhancements are on the way.

But there are more plans to create further agreements with colleges in the US, Canada and UK, particularly relating to finance courses and qualifications.

"After the restructuring, we are better aligned to serve the community," said Mr. Spiering.

"We are now also better focussed on a vision. In the past, I think only 46 percent of the college knew about the vision, but we now have a simpler vision, which is simply student success, and 80 percent of the staff are fully aware of it.

"The college is now on the right path, and it is the people as a collective that will carry it forward. The college is bigger than any individual and, provided it has the continued effort from everyone, it will continue on its own.

"If the foundations are good, there should be no stopping it."

The Royal Gazette revealed in early December how Mr. Spiering hoped the board would start looking for a new president designate at the start of 2003, ready for Dr. Orenduff's departure in the summer of 2004.

He said he was hopeful a Bermudian would take the post, but said he believed a good lap over period should be available to enable a smooth transition.

Vice president Dr. Larita Alford, who has set up the articulation agreements with overseas colleges, is in the running for the position, however, she is not alone. Mr. Spiering said he was sure there would be others who would also apply.

But one of the major tasks of the last two years has also been to build a good executive team to carry the objectives forward.

"The importance is to build this executive, so again, once we have set the process in place, there is some consistency," he added.

"We don't want to end up where one person is vitally important to ensure that it continues. There should be a consistency in the executive and the board. It would be a shame to end up with all of our eggs in one basket."

Mr. Spiering said the retention rate of students was up on previous years, as more students were choosing to stay and finish their courses, as opposed to giving up half way through.

And the chairman said he believed that was a reflection of the commitment shown to students by staff, and the shared vision.

As a result, he said students were more committed to their work.

"In the past, we had a very high dropout rate of students who dropped out of a course after year one," he explained.

"Certainly, we believed that if we provided an environment where the students felt the organisation was dedicated to their success, then the willingness for them to continue into their second year would be heightened, and it certainly has.

"We are dedicated and committed to student success, but in return we ask that students be as dedicated and committed to themselves."

The college is also working with the Island's two public secondary schools to ensure that their curriculum dovetail exactly.

Mr. Spiering said it may result in some changes on both sides, but he hoped a smoother transition would result for students.

In the past, they have never worked together.

He said: "In certain cases, the curriculum on both sides might need changing. I'm sure that the schools have been surprised by some of the things that we do here, and like wise, I'm sure our staff have been surprised by some of things at the schools.

"But that was bound to happen and that is why it is important for us to understand each other. We are working very closely with each other now, and we hope it will remain that way. We have to work with each other to work out what the answers are. That can only be good for the students."

But he said the new partnership could also result in teachers and lecturers being involved in an exchange programme to enable them to really get to know the two different systems.

However, that is still very much in the early stages.

"A lot of the work at the college has been done, but there is always still more to do, and we know there is still a way to go," said Mr. Spiering.

"But we have the vision and we have the determination to see it through. There are a number of projects that have begun, and the board is very committed to seeing them through. They will be acted upon.

"We want to make training and development of staff more business-like, and we are going to be providing that, however, people have to be accountable.

"We will be providing career advice to our faculty, and encouraging them to look at the bigger picture, long-term.

"The college has a vision for students, and staff, and it revolves around success. With dedication from both sides, there is no reason why anyone should fail."