UTech boost for education ministry

Education Minister Ruel Reid has welcomed news that the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) last week approved the application of the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, for institutional accreditation.

"So now there are three universities with institutional accreditation. This is a good look for the tertiary landscape and an even better look for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

"The policies on higher education now have space for deeper implementation as the monopoly for accredited programmes is now properly broken down. It now behoves these three universities to be more creative in their offering by examining the demands of industry and designing accordingly," Reid told The Sunday Gleaner.

He noted that The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and Excelsior Community College are far advanced in their application for institutional accreditation, while other universities have submitted letters of interest.

THE BALL IS IN THEIR COURT

"The pace is dependent on the institution. They have to submit documentation so the process can begin. The ball is in their respective courts," noted Reid.

The other local tertiary entities with institutional accreditation are The University of the West Indies and Northern Caribbean University.

In announcing the UCJ's decision last week, president of UTech, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, noted that the university is now institutionally accredited for a period of seven years.

"Institutional accreditation provides a mark of quality. We are happy to receive the approval of the UCJ. It's a lovely Christmas gift indeed," said Vasciannie.

Among other things, institutional accreditation means that UTech will not need to apply to the UCJ for the approval of any new programmes, nor will it need to apply for reaccreditation for individual programmes for a period of seven years.