RESIDENTS of Tower Isle and surrounding communities in St Mary can now access the Internet, and do training in Information Technology (IT), thanks to the International University of the Caribbean (IUC), Tower Isle Campus.

The institution recently opened its Internet café, dubbed ‘U-Online’, which is the first of its kind to be launched in Tower Isle.

“Over the years we have grown to offer some 24 programmes, which speak to the needs of students, and not just those students who are coming out of the high school setting, but also mature students who are seeking to continue their education. We are committed to the creation and the formation of leadership for the well-being and the development of our communities and our nation,” said executive president of the IUC, Reverend Dr Maitland Evans, at the ceremony.

The function, which was held on the campus in Tower Isle, attracted representatives from the community as well as from entities, such as the HEART Trust/NTA and the Universal Access Fund Limited.

Evans thanked Universal Access Fund Limited, which played a vital role in the realisation of the project, noting that IUC would be doing everything to ensure that the Internet café becomes an instrument of reach to the wider community.

Further highlighting the project, Dean for the North Middlesex Region of IUC, Pamela Reid, informed that the facility has 18 computer work stations, a desktop publishing corner and offered free Internet access for two years.

“U-Online has come as a response to our increasing demand for Internet access in Jamaica, particularly in the economically challenged rural communities. It will provide an instructional Internet class for the benefit of those who do not associate themselves with the computer age or those who have not had the opportunity of previous exposure,” Reid said.

She added that the educational aspect would attract members of the community, who are rapidly gaining interest in the resources that online communication has to offer.

Resident of Tower Isle, Ena Sinclair, said that the launch of the Internet café in the area meant a lot to her.

“This means a lot to me as a senior citizen, because some of us seniors have never been introduced to this before. We can have Internet access, so that we can pay our bills online, instead of going into the banks to stand in line,” she said.

The café will be staffed by existing employees of the IUC and will be opened from Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays.