THE EDITOR, Sir:
RUEL REID should not be alarmed at the University Council of Jamaica's (UCJ) position that accreditation is not compulsory. It is an acceptable fact in the international arena that securing accreditation status is optional. In exercising the option, however, institutions are mindful of the dire consequences of not seeking accreditation. Graduates of non-accredited institutions will be shunned by potential employers and accredited institutions.
Joe Pereira's position that accreditation in the Jamaican context only applies to institutions outside of the University of the West Indies (UWI) is somewhat disturbing. What does the fact that UWI's founding occurred before accreditation have to do with anything? As an institution of higher education, and the flagship tertiary institution in the English-speaking Caribbean, the UWI should be open to peer review and accreditation by an independent authority.
Participation in a global higher education community requires that we are able to withstand scrutiny relative to an agreed upon set of standards.
According to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (US-based accreditation authority for the southern states and Latin America), accreditation "...provides an assessment of the institution's effectiveness in the fulfilment of its mission, its compliance with the requirements of its accrediting association, and its continuing efforts to enhance the quality of student learning and its programmes and services...."
As was the case with the country's K-12 system, the tertiary community of institutions should go through a process of rationalisation and reform.
Comprehensive planning will provide the best opportunity for these institutions to be in sync with the country's overarching vision for education.
The fact that the UCJ is a full member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (headquartered in Dublin, Ireland) is encouraging. The council, however, needs to insist that the UWI commits to undergoing periodic accreditation reviews. If universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Yale and Harvard participate in the accreditation process, why not the University of the West Indies?
I am, etc.,
RICHARD KITSON WALTERS
kittywally@comcast.net
Baltimore, Maryland
Via Go-Jamaica
