MONTEGO BAY, St James — Sandals Corporate University (SCU) Senior Corporate Director Dr Luz Longsworth has assured stakeholders that the groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between SCU and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) will not fade away after the initial fanfare.

Speaking during last Friday’s official signing ceremony, Longsworth pointed out that the partnership is already yielding tangible results. She cited two projects that have already been developed under the agreement.

“Many MOUs tend to remain inactive after the signing ceremony and PR [public relations], but I want to assure our Executive Chairman [Adam Stewart] and [TMU] Chancellor Chin-Loy Chang, as well as our co-host and dean [of Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) Cynthia Holmes] that this is not the case with this MOU,” Longsworth stated.

She noted that one of the key initiatives under the MOU is an internship programme that will see students from TRSM, particularly those studying hospitality and business, placed at Sandals Resorts for as long as eight months.

“We — through the tremendous energy and enthusiasm of Dean Cynthia Holmes, who is now my soulmate in this endeavour — and our teams are already in the process of developing this project which will provide hands-on experience for TMU students in our resorts,” Longsworth said.

The second initiative, which focuses on leadership development, features a suite of courses designed for SCU’s leaders and team members. The programme will cover topics such as digital innovation, strategic communication, mindfulness in leadership, and big data in strategic decision making.

“I know our executive chairman is going to smile because he keeps telling me, ‘Keep pushing,’ and I kept pushing,” Longsworth added, emphasising the forward-thinking nature of the collaboration.

Home to the Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU offers cutting-edge programmes in business, hospitality, tourism and management, designed to equip students and professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive global market.

With more than 47,000 students and in excess of 4,700 faculty and staff, TMU offers 129 undergraduate and graduate programmes that blend academic knowledge with practical experience and opportunities.

“We are honoured to be able to partner with the TMU and in particular, with the Ted Rogers School of Management, because we have shared values, shared values of ensuring excellence and preparing our learners for success in the world of work. Graduates from the prestigious TMU are snapped up by industry all over the world. And so, in our search for a partner, we looked for a university like that, executive chairman, because I know that that is what we want,” Longsworth said to Stewart.

The MOU is seen as yet another example of the importance of the relationship between Canada and the region.

“The support Canada has shown, not just Jamaica, but the wider Caribbean — the love, the relationship,” said Stewart whose Sandals Resorts has several locations across the region.

“I feel like every second person you meet in Jamaica has some connection to Canada, and that reciprocal relationship is something that is just awesome to me, and I’ve watched it blossom over time. And of course, the number of Canadians who have come to Jamaica on holiday year after year just continues to increase,” he added.

Holmes also expressed her delight with the partnership

“This actually creates a nice opportunity. We have a lot of ideas, but the idea of sustainable tourism is something that’s really important to us. Just two weeks ago, we launched a new research centre in sustainable management practices. I think this is…another opportunity for us to collaborate and connect on,” she said.

TMU Chancellor Dr Donette Chin-Loy Chang expressed confidence that the venture will benefit countless Sandals employees and help to fulfill the vision of TMU as a global leader in applied education.

“I have always been proud of my Jamaican roots. They inspire me to this day, and I’m pleased to be a small part of helping to extend opportunity and development in this great country,” said Chin-Loy Chang.

TMU Provost & Vice-President, Academic Dr Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano declared that, “the agreement is a testament to our collective vision for experiential learning, cross cultural exchange and knowledge sharing.

“Together, we are on a mission to prepare the leaders of tomorrow to be innovative, culturally aware and capable of thriving in the global marketplace”.

SCU is Sandals Resorts’ educational arm, providing team members across the region with the opportunity to grow both academically and professionally. The first of its kind in the Caribbean, SCU certifies team members without formal academic qualifications and provides qualified team members with an avenue to advance their education.

Through partnerships with internationally recognised universities, professional organisations, and local education institutions, SCU offers programmes that range from basic hospitality-specific training, to developing learning pathways that can ultimately lead to bachelor’s, master’s and even doctoral degrees.

In addition to organising practical training in specific disciplines, SCU also focuses on eight key learning objectives. These include the SCU competency framework; examining the knowledge, skills and attitudes employees require to perform efficiently; the SCU cross-training programme, allowing team members to gain interdepartmental experience; and providing team members with professional certifications at an international level.