What We Do
The University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) was established in October 1987 by the University Council of Jamaica Act 1987. It is a statutory body currently under the Ministry of Education and Youth portfolio. The UCJ is Jamaica’s National External Quality Assurance Agency for higher education.
As the External Quality Assurance Agency EQAA for higher education in Jamaica, the UCJ evaluates higher education institutions and/or programmes to determine whether they meet or exceed established standards of educational quality.
The UCJ external quality assurance processes include the development of standards and guidelines, accreditation of programs/institutions, recognition of programmes, and monitoring.
In fulfilment of its mission, the UCJ:
Promotes the concept of quality assurance in higher education as the driving force for improvement which is underpinned by the fundamental principle that the primary responsibility for quality assurance rests with the institutions themselves.
Challenges institutions to enhance and sustain a culture of quality that will result in the improvement of student learning outcomes and the marketability of Jamaica’s graduates in a competitive global environment.
Promotes and advances quality assurance in higher education by placing emphasis on the development and strengthening of internal quality assurance systems within institutions, guiding and supporting institutions, and encouraging continuous improvement in teaching and learning, and the other activities of institutions.
History & Development
1987
The University Council of Jamaica was established by an Act of Parliament in 1987 as the national quality assurance body for tertiary education to ensure quality through adopting and improving educational standards. The UCJ is a statutory body currently under the Minister of Education, Youth and Information portfolio.
Executive Director
Since its inception, Dr Ethley London (October 1987- April 2011), Dr Yvonnette Marshall (April 2011- August 2016), and Mrs Althea Heron (November 2016- present) have served as Executive Directors.
Quality Assurance
The UCJ has not only been responsible for the growth and development of Quality Assurance (QA) in tertiary education in Jamaica but is the first External Quality Assurance (EQA) agency to have been established in the Caribbean and has had a significant impact on the development of other agencies and the promotion of QA in tertiary education within the region. The UCJ was also a significant partner and leader in establishing the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE). The UCJ has conducted seminars and workshops for partners in the region, and representatives from other CARICOM countries have visited Jamaica for attachment programmes at the UCJ.
INQAAHE
The UCJ has been represented on the Governing Board of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). Former Executive Directors Dr Ethley London and Dr Yvonnette Marshall have served on the INQAAHE board.
UCJ Membership
The UCJ continues to hold membership in both CANQATE and INQAAHE.
1991
– First registered institution. – First locally accredited programme. – Establishment of the Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE).
1992
– Publication of the first Directory of Jamaican Tertiary Institutions.
1997
– Establishment of the first Board of Studies, later renamed Standards Development Committees. – Establishment of the Credit Transfer Committee, later renamed the Tertiary Articulation Committee.
2000
– Publication of the first set of standards developed by a Board of Studies (now Standards Development Committees).
2003
– Launch of the Tertiary Qualifications Framework.
2004
– Launch of Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week. – Launch of the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE).
2006
– Launch of the Guidelines for the Accreditation of Short Courses.
2007
– Launch of the Dennis Irvine Lecture Series. – 20th Anniversary Celebrations.
2012
– 25th Anniversary Celebrations. – Launch of Teacher Education Standards. – First grant of Institutional Accreditation.
2014
– Launch of Distance Education Standards.
2015
– Launch of Standards for Guidance and Counselling.
History & Development
1987
The University Council of Jamaica was established by an Act of Parliament in 1987 as the national quality assurance body for tertiary education to ensure quality through adopting and improving educational standards. The UCJ is a statutory body currently under the Minister of Education, Youth and Information portfolio.
Executive Director
Since its inception, Dr Ethley London (October 1987- April 2011), Dr Yvonnette Marshall (April 2011- August 2016), and Mrs Althea Heron (November 2016- present) have served as Executive Directors.
Quality Assurance
The UCJ has not only been responsible for the growth and development of Quality Assurance (QA) in tertiary education in Jamaica but is the first External Quality Assurance (EQA) agency to have been established in the Caribbean and has had a significant impact on the development of other agencies and the promotion of QA in tertiary education within the region. The UCJ was also a significant partner and leader in establishing the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE). The UCJ has conducted seminars and workshops for partners in the region, and representatives from other CARICOM countries have visited Jamaica for attachment programmes at the UCJ.
INQAAHE
The UCJ has been represented on the Governing Board of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). Former Executive Directors Dr Ethley London and Dr Yvonnette Marshall have served on the INQAAHE board.
UCJ Membership
The UCJ continues to hold membership in both CANQATE and INQAAHE.
1991
– First registered institution. – First locally accredited programme. – Establishment of the Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE).
1992
– Publication of the first Directory of Jamaican Tertiary Institutions.
1997
– Establishment of the first Board of Studies, later renamed Standards Development Committees. – Establishment of the Credit Transfer Committee, later renamed the Tertiary Articulation Committee.
2000
– Publication of the first set of standards developed by a Board of Studies (now Standards Development Committees).
2003
– Launch of the Tertiary Qualifications Framework.
2004
– Launch of Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education Week. – Launch of the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE).
2006
– Launch of the Guidelines for the Accreditation of Short Courses.
2007
– Launch of the Dennis Irvine Lecture Series. – 20th Anniversary Celebrations.
2012
– 25th Anniversary Celebrations. – Launch of Teacher Education Standards. – First grant of Institutional Accreditation.
2014
– Launch of Distance Education Standards.
2015
– Launch of Standards for Guidance and Counselling.
Mission
& Vision
Vision Statement
The UCJ aims to be a Centre of Excellence, enabling national, regional and international development through quality assurance in higher education.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University Council of Jamaica is to facilitate and oversee the development and maintenance of a robust higher education quality assurance system.
Our Values
Learning and Development
The Council facilitates the growth and development of individuals, higher education institutions and communities towards a culture of quality.
Integrity and Ethics
The Council believes in objectivity, honesty, the establishment of trust and confidentiality while consistently operating in an ethical manner.
Excellence
The Council believes in the attainment of high quality standards in all aspects of its work.
Service
The Council provides high quality services to all its stakeholders.
Transparency
The Council exhibits openness and fairness in its operations.
Respect
The Council believes in and values the diversity of its stakeholders.
Core Functions
To develop, on an on-going basis, threshold standards for different levels of qualifications in various disciplines, at the higher education level.
To accredit programmes and institutions.
To facilitate the recognition of cross-border higher education programmes, and those of awarding bodies being offered in Jamaica.
To assist in the development of higher education institutions by providing professional advice and services for the development and improvement of programmes.
To monitor and evaluate higher education programmes and institutions on an on-going basis to facilitate continuous improvement.
To assure the quality of foreign credentials.
To research issues pertaining to quality assurance in higher education with a view to maintaining and improving educational outcomes.
To provide appropriate public information about the institutions, programmes and awarding bodies registered, accredited and recognised by the Council.
To facilitate the free movement of skills and knowledge within the Caribbean Community.
