Moneague College’s journey of excellence leads to institutional accreditation
Published:Friday | February 21, 2025 | 12:07 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
The 69-year-old Moneague College in St Ann marked its institutional accreditation status from the University Council of Jamaica with two days of activities earlier this week, under the theme: ‘Reflection and Transformation: Celebrating a Journey of Excellence’.
Institutional accreditation is a quality assurance process that evaluates an educational institution’s quality and compliance with standards.
When conferred, it means an institution has reached internationally acceptable standards of student output, faculty qualifications, and systems aligned with the highest academic and operational standards.
Principal Howard Isaacs said that while the accreditation was made public in January this year, the multidisciplinary institution, which now becomes the seventh tertiary institution to be so accredited, was actually conferred in April 2023.
On Sunday, a service of thanksgiving was held at the main campus in Moneague, with staff and students joining members of the Discipleship and Restoration Ministries in praise and worship, at the Gloria Johnson multipurpose hall.
Isaacs described the achievement as a defining moment and reflects “an examination of our structure, of our operation, of student output, of faculty academic qualification.”
He said the journey to accreditation was very long and not an easy one, as he praised faculty and staff members, including those who were no longer at the institution, for their role in Moneague College’s success.
On Monday at a celebratory congress at the same venue, moderated by the college’s board chairman Professor John Lindo, hundreds of persons turned out to mark the occasion.
Isaacs used the opportunity to remind the college that “while institutional accreditation is a remarkable accomplishment, it is not the final destination … it is a stepping stone.”
Several educators congratulated Moneague on the achievement.
Assistant Chief Education Officer in the Tertiary Unit of the Ministry of Education, Dr Tamika Benjamin, said the milestone of institutional accreditation represented the institution’s commitment to excellence and growth.
“The process of securing institutional accreditation is a rigorous one which requires that every part of an institution’s operations is aligned with the highest standards of academic and operational quality,” Benjamin said.
“Institutional accreditation is not just a stamp of approval; it is a symbol of Moneague’s credibility, stability, and commitment to providing a high-quality education for every student.”
Dr Joan Spencer Ernandez, manager of the Joint Board of Teacher Education; and Dr Dameon Black, CEO and commissioner of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission, also commended the college.
Black said the achievement of institutional accreditation was significant and should be celebrated.