Use the Internet to improve access to tertiary education
COLIN MCGANN, assistant general manager for Business Development and Research at technology company MC Systems, has pointed to education as a good launching point for Jamaica to exploit the use of the Internet.
According to McGann, the Internet provides a good means to improve access to education, especially at the tertiary level.
He argues that more universities and tertiary institutions should look at providing access to the services through the Internet.
"Jamaica already has a strong level of Internet usage, which we can exploit for developmental purposes such as education," said McGann.
"I believe that we definitely need to think more about offering our services online in that regard," McGann said, pointing out that more North American and European countries have moved to offer tertiary education services via the Internet.
"The University of the West Indies has established an open campus, allowing working students across the Caribbean the opportunity to pursue higher education via the Internet – which should be commended – and other institutions, such as the Northern Caribbean University and the University College of the Caribbean, have also introduced online courses," he said. However, he maintains that there is room for further expansion to allow more Jamaicans and Caribbean people to benefit from access to education.
“If we can be more deliberate about how we use the Internet for our development ... then we will certainly expand the pool of qualified and competent people to move the country and region forward," he affirmed.