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Jamaica

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Jamaica is the most populated Caribbean Commonwealth nation, with over2.8 million people (World Bank, 2022).

COL’s work in Jamaica is primarily in the areas of higher education through the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) network, Lifelong Learning for Farmers, skills for work, and technology-enabled learning. The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) offers COL’s Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration (CEMBA/CEMPA) programmes and serves on the programmes’ academic and executive governing boards. Learners from Jamaica are also participating in COL’s free online courses and benefitting from other openly available resources.

Highlights


  • Three TVET institutions have developed institutional open and distance learning (ODL) strategies and action plans.
  • The University Council of Jamaica developed and disseminated quality standards for distance education.
  • A Climate Literacy for All course was offered on COL’s MOOCs for Development platform, facilitated by the University of West Indies.
  • More than 16,000 farmers have received blended training in farming as a business.

Partners


Partnerships are fundamental to COL’s work. Strategic partnerships allow COL to broaden its reach and engage at global, regional and national levels, while implementation partners support COL’s work in communities and institutions across Commonwealth Member States. Partners include multilateral organisations, regional bodies, national governments, government agencies, foundations, civil society organisations, public and private (not-for-profit) institutions and the private sector. COL partnerships assist in improving and extending teaching and learning services to people in the developing Commonwealth.

COL’s partners in Jamaica include:

  • Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (formerly Ministry of Education and Youth)
  • Ascot High School
  • Caribbean Examinations Council
  • Caribbean Maritime University
  • Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC)
  • Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)
  • Sam Sharpe Teachers College (SSTC)
  • University of the West Indies, Mona
  • University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC)
  • University Council of Jamaica (UCJ)
  • Vocational Training Development Institute

Key Contacts


Focal Point

Dr Phylicia Marshall
Assistant Chief Education Officer, Tertiary Unit
Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information

Notable Mention

Dr Nancy George, Honorary COL Adviser

Dr Marlene Hamilton, former member of COL Board of Governors

The late Dr Dennis H. Irvine, COL Honorary Fellow

The Honourable Sir Alister McIntyre, former member of COL Board of Governors

The Honourable Burchell Whiteman, OJ, COL Honorary Fellow and former Chair, COL Board of Governors

More Information