CIG Supports UCCI Expansion

The Cayman Islands Government has allocated CI$9 million to the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) to support the institution's expansion outlined in its 2024 Campus Master Plan.

The master plan provides a framework for expanding the institution's facilities to accommodate its growth and meet increasing demand for higher education opportunities locally.

Delivering welcome remarks at the presentation ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) on Wednesday, 11 March, Chief Officer Ms. Cetonya Cacho highlighted UCCI's longstanding contribution to education in the Cayman Islands.

"For more than five decades, UCCI has played a central role in expanding access to tertiary education in our islands," Ms. Cacho said. "It has supported generations of Caymanian students as they pursue academic, technical and professional pathways, and its impact can be seen across many sectors of our community."

Minister for Finance and Economic Development and Education and Training, the Honourable Rolston Anglin underscored the national significance of the investment.

"As Minister responsible for both Education and Economic Development, I see first-hand how closely the two are aligned--particularly when we have institutions like UCCI that cut across both sectors," Minister Anglin said. "The fact is that many persons who attend do so out of a need for a better paying job, a promotion, or some form of economic advancement. In that regard, investments such as this strengthen not only education, but the Cayman Islands' broader economic development."

Responding on behalf of UCCI, Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr. Gilbert McLean expressed appreciation for the Government's support and outlined how the funding will be used to advance the initiative.

"Today marks a historic and momentous occasion for UCCI," Mr. McLean said. "For the first time in 50 years, an allocation of funds is being made specifically for the expansion of the college. This allocation will allow UCCI to move forward immediately with key elements of the expansion, including the purchase of much-needed land, the preparation of architectural drawings, the clearing of the land, and the initial stages of construction."

The ceremony was also attended by several members of the UCCI and MoET community, including MoET Deputy Chief Officer Mr. Jerome McCoy, UCCI Acting President Ms. Nanalee Cover, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Education Dr. Livingston Smith, MoET Senior Policy Advisor Dr. Nicole Thompson, and members of the media.

To learn more about the Ministry of Education and Training, visit gov.ky/education