KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) has awarded certificates of accreditation for a total of 35 courses at ten tertiary level institutions.

The Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, the Catholic College of Mandeville, Excelsior Community College, Jamaica Theological Seminary and Knox Community College are  among those receiving accreditation for Masters, Bachelors and Associate degree courses.

Mico University College, the Montego Bay Community College, Northern Caribbean University, the St Mary’s University of Minnesota, the University College of the Caribbean, University of Technology Jamaica and the Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI) have also received accreditation for a range of courses.

The awards ceremony was held on March 10, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Visitors’ Lodge and Conference Centre.

Executive Director of the UCJ, Dr Yvonette Marshall, in her remarks, congratulated the institutions who received the awards, noting that this is testament to their commitment to quality, and by extension, to nation building.

She said the UCJ remains committed to ensuring a rigorous process, safeguarding standards and to continue to offer quality enhancement. 

“We strive to be relevant and to ensure that all processes meet international standards, so that we can stand proud and know that when graduates leave, they are leaving with their accredited programmes or that their institutions are registered,” she said.

The Hydel College, the International University of the Caribbean and the Sigma College of Nursing and Applied Sciences were also awarded Certificates of Registration during the ceremony. 

Meanwhile, Masters degree courses in Early Childhood Studies, Education and Instructional Design and Technology, and the Doctor of Education course from the Walden University, were awarded Certificates of Recognition.

The ceremony forms part of activities by the UCJ to celebrate its 11th Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week, from March 7 to 11. This week is being observed under the theme: ‘Assuring Quality in Programme Outcomes – Imperative for Graduate Effectiveness’. 

Dr Marshall explained that the activities are being hosted to promote quality enhancement and to provide capacity building for internal and external stakeholders. A seminar was also hosted by the UCJ on March 10, targeting Presidents, Board Chairs, Chief Financial Officers and Bursars of tertiary institutions, to facilitate discussions on assessing and improving the financial health of universities and colleges.

Commissioner of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC), Maxine Henry-Wilson, bringing greetings at the ceremony, commended the UCJ’s drive for quality assurance, which she said is evident “in the rigour in which they carry out their responsibilities and mandate.” 

She urged institutions to make it their responsibility to safeguard the reputation of the tertiary education sector and to ensure students are provided with quality education for their tuition.

“Our graduates are our ambassadors. Our graduates carry with them what we want to see as excellence and therefore we owe it to them to ensure that when they leave our institutions, they can match up with anyone, anywhere and at anytime,” Henry-Wilson said.