Palau Community College
Palau Community College is a two-year college in the Republic of Palau, and the only school of higher education in the nation. It is an independent institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. It offers associate degrees and certificates in fields such as criminal justice, liberal arts, nursing, agricultural science and business.
History
Palau Community College, together with the College of the Marshall Islands and the College of Micronesia-FSM, offers Micronesia Land Grant programs. There is mention of the Community College having been founded as a vocational and technical school in 1927 when Palau was under Japanese occupation.
In 1980s the U.S. Congress designated the College of Micronesia as the Land Grant College of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. This agreement was later extended by the three Micronesian governments, including Palau. On March 19, 1993, the Palau Higher Education Act of 1993 established it as an independent college with its own governing board. Prior to this, the college was known as the Micronesian Occupational College. It officially became the Palau Community College on April 2, 1993.