UCJ Has Accredited Over 233 Programmes
By: , March 10, 2015The Key Point:
The Facts
- This comprises 207 programmes in more than 30 local universities, colleges and other learning institutions, and 26 programmes delivered in Jamaica by overseas institutions.
- The week, from March 8 to 13, is being observed under the theme: ‘The Changing Landscape of Tertiary Education: Challenges for Quality Assurance’.
The Full Story
The University Council of Jamaica (UCJ), as at March 2015, has accredited over 233 programmes and seven short courses.
This comprises 207 programmes in more than 30 local universities, colleges and other learning institutions, and 26 programmes delivered in Jamaica by overseas institutions.
Executive Director of the UCJ, Dr. Yvonnette Marshall, said the accreditation of programmes is in keeping with the Council’s mandate “to increase the availability of tertiary level training in Jamaica through a robust quality assurance system that ensures excellence, transparency, integrity and adherence to standards.”
She was addressing the launch of the UCJ’s 10th Annual Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week on Sunday, March 8, at the Webster Memorial United Church, Kingston.
The week, from March 8 to 13, is being observed under the theme: ‘The Changing Landscape of Tertiary Education: Challenges for Quality Assurance’.
According to Dr. Marshall, tertiary education has a significant impact on the future of a country, especially a small developing state such as Jamaica.
In the Vision 2030, Jamaica National Development plan, it is noted that “tertiary education is an important catalyst, not only for economic and political development but also for Jamaica’s competitiveness in an increasingly global environment.”
Dr. Marshall said as the external quality assurance agency of the Government, the UCJ is committed to the task of developing, communicating and applying standards in order to ensure that quality is not only attained, but maintained and enhanced.
The UCJ, as the External Quality Assurance (EQA) agency for tertiary education in Jamaica, accredits programmes of study and institutions.
Other quality assurance services offered by the UCJ include: evaluation of credentials; developing of standards for the operation of tertiary institutions; development of discipline, specific standards and provision of information concerning institutions and programmes locally, regionally and internationally.