PRESIDENT of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Metry Seaga has applauded The University of the West Indies, Mona (The Mona) for the introduction of its Short Term Advancement and Resource (STAR) initiative.

The UWI STAR is designed to centralise and modernise its offerings of professional short courses and speaking at the official launch recently, Seaga described it as “the right tool at the right time”.

“UWI STAR is what I call a demand-driven response. It’s what happens when academia listens to industry and says, ‘We hear you. Let’s build together,’ and that…is critical,” said Seaga.

“This new Short-Term Advancement and Resource Centre brings together more than 150 short courses across UWI’s seven faculties, but what’s more important is how it does so — with purpose, agility, and practicality. These offerings are packaged for industry utility — no fluff, no long bureaucratic delays. Just skills that matter,” added Seaga.

“Too often in Jamaica, there’s a disconnect between education and industry. We graduate people who are qualified on paper, but not always ready for the realities of the job. What I appreciate most about UWI STAR is that it addresses this head-on. It offers businesses a seat at the table. A chance to co-design content, provide feedback, and ensure relevance. That’s a game-changer.

“Consider the hotel sector in Jamaica; how powerful would it be if all front-line staff had access to short courses in customer service, digital bookings management, and basic foreign language skills? It would elevate the guest experience and strengthen our tourism brand,” added Seaga.

According to Seaga, Jamaica must reframe training not as a cost, but as an investment in national competitiveness.

He underscored that one of Jamaica’s greatest assets is its people and charged that without access to ongoing, relevant, and flexible training, their potential remains underutilised.

“UWI STAR is not just about education — it’s about empowerment. It allows for stackable credits, so individuals can work their way toward a degree while gaining marketable certifications along the way. It offers branded certificates with UWI’s seal — giving learners credibility and confidence. And perhaps most importantly, it offers content that produces measurable results.

“This is what lifelong learning looks like. This is how we future-proof our economy,” said Seaga.

He argued that The UWI has answered the call of the private sector for additional training for staff members and it is now the turn of business operators to respond.

“I challenge PSOJ members, and the wider business community, to not just applaud this initiative — but to use it. Let’s partner with UWI STAR. Let’s co-create curriculum. Let’s sponsor access for underserved communities. Let’s enrol our teams. Let’s finally put our money where our mouths have been for decades — into the professional development of our people.

“Because when we train more, we produce more. When we produce more, we export more. And when we export more, we grow more. That’s how we move Jamaica forward. And The UWI STAR, in my view, is a key part of that journey,” declared Seaga.

In announcing the creation of The UWI STAR earlier, Campus Registrar Dr Donovan Stanberry argued that there is a growing trend where many universities in the world are offering short professional courses because of a change in how young people and professionals want to consume tertiary education.

“Many people don’t have the stomach or the appetite or the patience for a four-year degree course, or a three-year degree course.

“On top of that, there are many professional bodies that require continuing professional education in order for people to maintain their licences and so on, and you would have heard the debate with the teachers being furthest away,” said Stanberry.

He pointed out that while The UWI, Mona has long offered short courses across various departments, The UWI STAR will act as a central administrative hub to streamline offerings, ensure consistent quality, and make it easier for the public and private sectors to engage with the university.