University of Technology, Jamaica Receives Accreditation for its Law Programme
Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD
President, University of Technology, Jamaica
The University of Technology, Jamaica is pleased to note that the University Council of Jamaica (the UCJ) has granted accreditation to the law programme offered by the University (the LL.B programme).
The decision of the University Council of Jamaica to grant accreditation to the University of Technology, Jamaica’s LL.B programme was formally conveyed to the President of the University of Technology, Jamaica, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, in a letter dated October 6, 2017 from the UCJ’s Chairman, Dr Carolyn Hayle and its Executive Director, Mrs. Althea Heron.
The letter indicated that the grant of accreditation will be for the four-year period beginning July 1, 2016, which is the date on which the application was made. The UCJ’s letter stated, inter alia:
“The Council congratulates the University of Technology, Jamaica on having attained accreditation for this programme and looks forward to a strengthening of the relationship between the institution and the University Council of Jamaica, as together we strive for excellence in higher education in Jamaica.”
In reacting to news of the accreditation, Professor Vasciannie noted that accreditation for the Law programme will be especially beneficial to current students and graduates of the University.
“We are, of course, happy that the UCJ acknowledges that the LL.B programme is worthy of accreditation. We have a strong team of dedicated lawyers on our teaching staff, and offer high quality instruction in a wide range of legal subjects. Accreditation should certainly assist the University in moving forward with its effort to establish a Law School at the University of Technology, Jamaica – the Jamaica Law School – fully recognized by the Government of Jamaica and other Caribbean Governments.”
Professor Vasciannie’s comment is made against a background in which UWI graduates have automatic entry into the Norman Manley Law School, while University of Technology graduates are required to sit an Entrance Examination to gain entry to that Law School. The Norman Manley Law School currently has a monopoly on the grant of the Certificate of Legal Education for law students in Jamaica.
For the current year, 22 graduates of the University of Technology, Jamaica’s LL.B programme have gained entrance to the Norman Manley Law School on the basis of the Entrance Examination. In some previous years, the number of students gaining entrance from this examination has been very low.
“Our basic request is that the Government of Jamaica puts an end to a system of Law School training which discriminates against University of Technology, Jamaica students. The Government of Jamaica should not allow discrimination against its own University,” Vasciannie added.
End.
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm