Congratulations to the directorate and staff of the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ), on the celebration of their 12th Annual Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week, under the theme “Enhancing and sustaining a quality culture: Preparing for Institutional Accreditation.”

The UCJ continues to be a vanguard in the development of standards, and in assuring quality in the tertiary education sector in Jamaica. As the UCJ forges ahead in this, its 30th year, institutions will continue to look to the agency for guidance in developing their Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) systems in preparation for Institutional Accreditation. The theme and focus for the week will go a long way in assisting institutions in achieving this goal.

The UCJ is well-respected internationally as an independent External Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA), which upholds standards and performs its role to the highest level of integrity.

The UCJ provides an invaluable service to Jamaica and the rest of the world. Its expertise and advice is constantly sought throughout the Caribbean and beyond, as it contributes to the development of best practice principles for quality assurance.

The agency’s customer-focused approach coupled with its commitment to enhancing the quality of tertiary education in Jamaica, and the development of our institutions for the benefit of our citizens is worthy of commendation.

I look forward to participating in the activities during Quality Assurance Week, and to personally congratulating the Council and staff on their achievements.

Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid