The University College of The Caribbean (UCC), is Jamaica's largest privately held tertiary education consortium. UCC was established in January 2004 from an amalgamation of the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS) and the Institute of Management and Production (IMP). In preparing students for an increasingly complex and diverse society, the UCC has developed a number of programmes to provide the knowledge and skills to help students succeed wiprogrammes(not authorised as a college for master's degree by UCJ. All masters program are unaccredited) ld community. Their range of programmes cover local Associate and bachelor's degrees and overseas bachelor's and master's degree programmes, offered in partnership with internationally recognized universities such as the Florida International University, Florida Memorial University and the University of London
In the early 1990s, Jamaica was faced with what seemed then to be an insoluble problem: The country was losing thousands of young, ambitious individuals who sought higher education opportunities overseas because there were not many recognised higher education programmes on the island for further development through formal training.
Increase access to higher education
Higher education programmes were proving to be an expensive option that was only available to a few Jamaicans who could afford them. In addition, the country was losing a number of trained persons seeking additional educational and employment opportunities overseas; this was costing the government more to train and recruit additional personnel. The Chairman and President (formerly a chemical process engineer at Petrojam) saw a great entrepreneurial opportunity and recognised that something had to be done to provide more accessible, high quality and flexible higher education training programmes to Jamaicans in both urban and rural areas. This resulted in the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), which has since grown to become one of the most respected private higher education institutions in Jamaica.
Incorporated in January 1992, the Institute of Management Sciences is a self-supporting, higher education institution, governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the executive body.
The board designs broad policy for the institution, and the executive body is responsible for the implementation of policies and directives from the board. Members are appointed for two years.
Accreditation
The University College of the Caribbean is formally registered and recognised by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ), the official accreditation body for higher education in Jamaica, and has made history as the first university college in the region to receive this status.
The institution has also gained full matriculation status from the University of the West Indies. As of October 2016, all Associate and bachelor's degree offerings are fully accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).
Affiliates and partnerships
University of London: The University of London, Britain's largest, and one of the world's most prestigious universities, offers through the ICU seven exciting degree programmes. These programmes include LLB (Bachelor of Laws), M.Sc. Financial Management, M.Sc. Financial Economics, M.Sc. Public Policy & Management.
The University College concept
IMS/IMP created history in Jamaica when it outlined its plans for the first University College of the Caribbean. Simultaneously it unveiled its logo for what has now become reality, the University College of the Caribbean.
A university college can be defined as an institution that amalgamates many of the functions of a university and a college. Effectively a hybrid of some of the functions of a university and a traditional college. It is a comprehensive institution that offers a wide range of programme offerings from certificates through Associate and bachelor's degrees and master's degrees with its main focus being at the baccalaureate degree or certificate level in the applied areas.
References
External links
- University College of The Caribbean - Official Website
- UCC Current Happenings - Student Blogspot Page
