The University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) celebrates its 11th Annual Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week at a time of change and challenge for External Quality Assurance (EQA) bodies and the tertiary education sector generally.

The emergence of non-traditional providers and the way innovation is changing the dynamics of the tertiary landscape will demand much more from over-stretched EQA bodies as they try to determine whether these providers are meeting the established standards of educational quality.

The debate continues to rage about programme outcomes and whether students are achieving their full potential. In addition, student debt, and their protection from rogue institutions, and Diploma mills will continue to be high on the agenda of policymakers.

The UCJ continues to be the standard bearer for quality assurance in tertiary education in Jamaica, and is making an impact on the international scene through its membership of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).

As the UCJ responds to the changing landscape, it is imperative that the organisation holds fast to its mission of increasing the availability of tertiary level training in Jamaica, through a robust quality assurance system, that ensures excellence, transparency, integrity and adherence to standards.

Let us all play our part in supporting this noble endeavour.