As concerns are raised about the proliferation of universities in Jamaica, we should strive to put things in perspective.

There was the time when we were a small village and our borders were clearly limited. There was a time when there was one 'real' university which, to attend, was the coveted privilege of a few, who sported the arrogance of being a 'UWI graduate'. Now, we are part of a global village where there are many universities.

To protest the growth in the number of local institutions is to reflect a worrying state of backwardness that eloquently explains the dearth of political leadership that Jamaica has been suffering from since its Independence. While all our politicians might not have been trained at the UWI, enough of them, over the years, have been trained there and should have made a positive difference in the way the country is governed.

For the records though, all our universities, especially our local ones, must share the blame for Jamaica's poor economy and substandard social structures. But those that have had greater local influence must bear the greater portion of the blame.

But where do we go from here? We have already started - University Council of Jamaica (UCJ). Every institution should fall under the umbrella of the UCJ which has responsibility to determine accreditation. To stay away raises questions about an institution's credibility. Further, we all need to seek international accreditation as well. I do know that Northern Caribbean University, for example, does enjoy international accreditation for most of its programmes. Alliances like these are imperative.

accreditation

Not only should our universities seek accreditation, but there needs to be far more intentional and strategic collaborations among local universities. We need to stop competing with each other for the local, but work together to penetrate the global market. I see us having similar departments forming alliances, sharing information and generally raising the standard of tertiary output that we deliver on this island. I see Jamaica becoming an eventual choice between studying in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, wherever else people go to study. Many of our own people lecture in many prestigious universities abroad. We have the brainpower, we need now to capture the vision.

I am, etc.,

CHARLES EVANS

charock01@yahoo.com