Expanding Access, Empowering St. Ann and Providing Opportunities for Advancement
BROWN’S TOWN, St Ann; May 25, 2026
Located in the heart of Brown’s Town, St. Ann, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus continues to play a transformative role in expanding access to higher education and professional development across Jamaica’s North Coast.
Located at Burlington Point, 2 Church Street, the campus serves as a vital educational hub for residents of St. Ann, offering flexible, inclusive, and community-focused learning without the need to relocate.
(Orientation exercise)
Formerly known as the UWI Open Campus, the institution rebranded to the Global Campus in 2023 and was fully operational by 2024, signalling a renewed emphasis on digital innovation, regional reach, and modern delivery methods.
Bridging Education and Opportunity
For decades, residents of Brown’s Town and nearby communities, including Claremont, Discovery Bay, and Runaway Bay, have relied on the campus as a gateway to upward mobility. Through a combination of online and blended learning programmes, students can pursue degrees, certificates, and professional courses in areas such as business, education, social sciences, hospitality, tourism and more.
A Hub for Skills Training and Workforce Development
Beyond traditional academic offerings, the Brown’s Town site serves as a hub for workforce-ready training, aligned with the needs of St Ann’s evolving economy. Short courses and professional programmes have helped hundreds of individuals upgrade their skills and improve employability, particularly in tourism, retail, and public service sectors.
These include:
- Supervisory Management,
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Information Technology
- Customer Service and Office Administration
- Project Management
- Events Management
- Human Resource Management
A key strength of the UWI Global Campus is its commitment to student success through comprehensive support systems: undergraduate and postgraduate options are delivered through flexible formats to accommodate busy schedules. Strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with Brown’s Town Community College for nursing, bring UWI-accredited programmes closer to home.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
Students benefit from a range of financial support options.
Students also receive:
- Academic advice and tutoring
- Online learning support
- Access to the Guild of Students for leadership development
- Assistance with administrative processes such as exemptions and status letters
Together, these services ensure that students are equipped not only to enrol but also to thrive and graduate successfully.
(Community engagement is a central part of the Campus’ initiative)
Community engagement has been a central focus of the initiative, with several meaningful activities already undertaken to build relationships and respond to local needs.
In addition, the team has actively met with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and align services with community priorities and has participated in school career day events to provide guidance, inspiration and exposure to students.
Last year, we expanded the interaction through Coffee and Commerce, an engagement of various interest groups in the community with UWI administration, at a breakfast meeting in Brown’s Town.
The inaugural Coffee and Commerce was designed as a community engagement and business networking initiative that brought together key stakeholders across sectors. The session catered for NGOs, government agencies, small business owners, and professionals.
This initiative aligns with the campus’s broader mission to connect academia with industry, while fostering meaningful relationships within the local community. The details of the second staging of Coffee and Commerce will be announced shortly.
Supporting Lifelong Learning
In an era of rapid technological and economic change, the importance of lifelong learning cannot be overstated. The UWI Global Campus, Brown’s Town, provides opportunities for individuals at every stage of life, from recent graduates to working professionals and retirees seeking personal growth.
(Tree planting at Brown’s Town Primary was another community outreach activity in which the Global Campus was involved)
With a focus on emerging areas such as AI in agriculture, lean innovation, and digital transformation, the campus is preparing students for the future of work in Jamaica and beyond.
Looking Ahead
Aligned with Vision 2030 Jamaica, which emphasizes inclusive growth, human capital development, and community transformation, the future of this initiative is grounded in sustainability and expanded impact.
The future of education lies in flexibility, accessibility, and strong community integration, and the UWI Global Campus, Brown’s Town, is already demonstrating this approach.
As the campus continues to expand its offerings and deepen partnerships, it is well-positioned to remain a cornerstone of educational advancement and social development in St. Ann.–
