John Bear asks for help re University College of the Caribbean

I've been asked by a high-level decision-maker for an opinion on this school, which has apparently raised a red flag or two. I had not heard of it, but now that I look at it, I don't see any flags waving. Any thoughts on this matter would be most appreciated. Thank you.

http://www.uccjm.com

John Bear

 

Never heard of it.

Their FAQ page tells us that UCC is a new entity that combines two previously existing Jamaican business colleges:

IMS and IMP will function as subsidiaries or institutes of the new parent entity, the University College of the Caribbean, UCC. Both IMS and IMP were recently re-registered as independent tertiary institutions by the University Council of Jamaica, UCJ. As a new parent entity or umbrella organization, however, the UCC will first have to go through a period of transition, and will subsequently be seeking similar formal registration status from the UCJ, in keeping with standard registration criteria and procedures.

Effective January 2004, both subsidiaries, IMS and IMP will therefore be trading under the name of the new parent entity, the University College of the Caribbean, UCC. The UCC, through its subsidiary/institute, IMS, will be gradually established as a regional hub in the Caribbean for the import and export of higher education services and programmes (undergraduate and graduate degrees only) offered by its two main overseas affiliates, the Florida International University and the University of London. IMS in this regard, therefore, will be the coordinating and administrative arm for the import and export of degrees offered by these universities. The UCC, through IMP, on the other hand, will be the body responsible for the development and delivery of local, indigenous professional certificates, diplomas, associate and bachelor degrees for the Jamaican market.

http://www.uccjm.com/faqs.htm

INQAAHE in turn tells us that the University Council of Jamaica (the body that recognizes IMS and IMP) was founded by the Jamaican parliament to do higher education quality assurance, that it's operated by the Jamaican government and that it performs site visits etc.

http://www.inqaahe.org/members_details.cfm?mID=92&typ=1

So my suggestion is to contact the UCJ in Kingston.

Florida International University (a large state university in Miami) indeed is offering some remote-site business degrees through University College of the Caribbean in Jamaica:

http://cba.fiu.edu/web/imbaj/

It looks legitimate to me, so far.

 

Re: Re: John Bear asks for help re University College of the Caribbean

Just a thought, as a University. How come they are not offering their own degree programs, but instead is offering degree programs conferred by UOL and FIU???

But again...They look legitimate to me too.

 

I checked it out and don't ses any red flags, but it might not be a bad idea to conact UoL,Dalhousie University, and they Mention Nova Southeastern, I'm sure they will have more information on the school.

 

Well, this could be interesting. If legit (and I think it is) this will introduce the wild idea that a sovereign Caribbean nation is capable of responsible accreditation, and that another institution besides UWI can be responsibly accredited. High time.

It's also nice to find a thread on which I can still post in this sub-forum.

 

I don't know if this helps, but The Chronicle of Higher Education job board had a recent listing for business faculty for them. It gives some insight into how the program will work. Also includes contact information for their school.

The University College of the Caribbean, UCC located in Jamaica is interested in recruiting highly qualified and experienced adjunct faculty from the USA to teach in its Distance Education business degree programs. The UCC is one of the largest privately-held higher education institutions in Jamaica and one of the largest in the Caribbean.

Succesful faculty appointees will be required to teach in specific business related courses/modules varying between 3-6 hours per week for fifteen (15) weeks/semester. Faculty will be flown to Jamaica each week via our national carrier or other designated airlines. The distance education program is scheduled to commence in March 2006 and will be delivered (live and delayed) utilising both free-to-air television and cable TV to a wide national audience.

http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000439771-01

 

Brilliant posts, comrades. Thank you.

Janko




Carthage must be destroyed.