WE HAVE LOTS TO CELEBRATE – Dr. Winston Adams
The UCC Group has a lot to celebrate notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic and challenges being faced in academia, business and other sectors worldwide.
That’s the message delivered by Founder & Group Executive Chairman, Dr. Winston Adams at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean’s joint 2020 and 2021 virtual Commencement Ceremony on July 18, 2021.
Addressing graduates and guests at the ceremony, Dr. Adams said that in addition to “applauding the landmark achievements of UCC students who have worked extremely hard, surmounting the challenges of online learning mandated by the virus, the Group is also celebrating its expansion, contribution to the growth and development of Jamaica and the Commonwealth.”
Pointing to the UCC’s “internationalization efforts”, he noted the Group’s success in working with international universities and other global partners to develop additional linkages which benefit students and faculty.
Among these, Dr. Adams said, was a recently announced exclusive regional agreement with the University of Arizona, USA, which makes it possible for students across the Caribbean to pursue either proposed stand alone Bachelors or Masters Degrees or dual degrees from both the University of Arizona and the UCC, without leaving their countries. Classes begin in August and October this year across the region.
Dr. Adams said that while many universities and schools have been experiencing major fallout in registrations during the pandemic, the UCC has recorded a substantial increase and now boasts over 7000 students across 7 physical campuses in Jamaica and over 400 staff and faculty members.
The UCC Global subsidiary has developed formal relationships with several strategic partners, primarily in the US which has established a foundation to bolster international student applications, especially from across the Commonwealth.
The College for Jamaica/Jamaica Competes which offers upskilling for adult learners, without a degree or college credits and the UCC Academy – the technical and vocational arm of the UCC Group of companies which cater to high school graduates are also contributing to increased student enrolment, Dr. Adams said.
Dr. Adams spoke also of the Group’s successes in the business and financial sectors. He noted that the UCC Business & Development and Consulting Institute (UCC BDCI) is providing support for Jamaica’s micro, small and medium size entrepreneurs with a new accounting and financial management service “ValueEdge”; Spectrum Real Estate & Investment Property is delivering a mix of educational, residential and commercial development while Spectrum Capital Partners is managing the Group’s foray into the private equity arena.
The UCC Group, Dr. Adams noted, is also a player in the emerging Business Process Outsourcing industry through another subsidiary, Global Knowledge Processing Solutions which has moved to differentiate and innovate, enabling the creation of technology-driven solutions that will create more economic value for the company and its team members.
Expressing appreciation for the positives being experienced by the UCC Group, Dr. Adams thanked the graduates for choosing the UCC. “We applaud your achievements of your academic goals and wish you equal success in your professional pursuits”, he declared.
