Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles, Jnr (fourth left) is joined by (from left) Professor Densil A. Williams, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies, Mona; Mr. Metry Seaga, President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica; Dr. Olivene Burke, Director of UWISTAR; Dr. Tamika Benjamin, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; Dr. Donovan Stanberry, Campus Registrar, following the launch of UWISTAR at the Mona Campus of The UWI.
(The UWI) Mona Campus has launched a set of upskilled, reskilling and long-life programmes geared at transforming Jamaica’s workforce into a more productive one, at a time when the country seeks to be more competitive globally.
The UWISTAR (Short-Term Advancement and Resource Centre), unveiled on Thursday, May 29, is a centralisation of UWI Mona’s extensive portfolio of professional short courses, offering over 150 industry-relevant programmes designed to empower working professionals, entrepreneurs, and recent graduates alike.
Professor Densil A. Williams, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Mona Campus, in his address, underscored the institution's critical role in enhancing skills development within the Jamaican labour force. This, he noted, will directly contribute to increasing the competitiveness and competencies of individuals, empowering them to "participate in a globally changing world". This commitment, said Professor Williams, will facilitate a smoother transition within Jamaica's dynamic labour market, thereby contributing significantly to macroeconomic stability.
"We have taken an institutional response," he stated, "so we are going to design and establish an institutional arrangement to provide the population with a pathway to developing skill sets that are needed in a dynamically changing labour market."
He further reinforced the importance of short-term courses, referencing the article "Fast Track to New Skills: Short-Cycle Higher Education Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean," which highlighted how such programmes can rapidly cultivate skilled human capital.
The vision for UWISTAR had culminates from years of UWI's faculties diligently delivering specialised short courses tailored to industry needs.
Dr. Olivene Burke, director of UWISTAR, explained that the goal was to unify these diverse offerings. "What we needed was a way to bring these opportunities together— on one common framework, with one mission: to provide accessible, relevant, high-impact and on-time learning for all," Dr. Burke revealed. "That's what UWISTAR delivers."
Dr. Burke said that as the central hub for all short courses offered by the Mona Campus, UWISTAR is designed with a broad audience in mind, whether one is a working professional, a student seeking new skills, or an organisation aiming to boost employee productivity.
Dr. Burke urged individuals and companies to seize the unique opportunities presented by UWISTAR. She said: "This is your chance to take one course — just one — and unlock new opportunities, whether that's a promotion, a career pivot, or a business breakthrough”.
“Prospective students will benefit from this expansive programme. Let us be your partner in building a smarter, stronger, and more agile Jamaica and Caribbean".