UCC opens centre in St Catherine

TWICKENHAM PARK, St Catherine:

THE UNIVERSITY College of the Caribbean (UCC) officially launched its academic centre at the José Marti Technical High School in Twickenham Park, St Catherine, recently. This brings the number of centres islandwide to nine, since the merger of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Institute of Management and Production to form the University College of the Caribbean in 2004.

Speaking at the official launch and information session, Member of Parliament Sharon Hay-Webster congratulated the institution on being true to its motto of 'Breaking New Frontiers in Higher Education', by bringing to the doorstep of St Catherine residents, tertiary education in spite of the social and economic challenges within its environs.

Impact of education

Hay-Webster commented that the new location will help to foster a change in culture due to the impact of education, and expose individuals to greater educational opportunities. She also encouraged other institutions to be more engaged and committed to offering education solutions in areas where none currently exist.

UCC Chief Executive Officer Geraldine Adams used the opportunity to explain that the partnership agreement with José Marti will serve to recruit qualified students from the school to pursue studies in select UCC associate degree programmes, commencing this August. These programmes include management information systems, tourism and hospitality management, as well as business administration. Enrolment in these programmes will also be opened to qualified students from other secondary schools.

Adams said this is a significant initiative because the courses will be delivered at the José Marti school campus, making it easier and less expensive for students to commute to their classes. She noted that the academic staff at Jose Marti will also be able to access, at concessionary tuition rates, UCC programmes offered on the campus.

The UCC chief executive also used the opportunity to thank the many secondary high schools which have signed the memorandum of understanding that will allow students to access up to 50 per cent off their tuition fees to study at this centre.

The official start of the UCC semester begins September 2011, with the enrolment deadline for programmes slated to start at that time, being June 30.

On hand to witness the launch was Clive Mohammed, vice-principal of the José Marti Technical High School, who gave greetings on behalf of the school and was beaming with excitement that UCC will change the landscape of Spanish Town. He hoped the centre would touch many lives with the knowledge that will help students to connect, lead and succeed.