What is Franchising and what are the benefits?

The franchising of university programmes is an arrangement where the UWI allows a tertiary level institution (TLI) to deliver its Year 1 & 2 programmes. There are currently three Colleges offering UWI programmes.

BENEFITS OF FRANCHISE

Increased access to geographically dispersed students

The immediate benefit of a franchised programme is the increased access to university Level I and II programmes by a wider cross section of students. The students also benefit by being able to study in their own country thus saving on travel and living expenses and with no unnecessary family upheaval.

Lower costs to students, governments or sponsors

Where a franchise is operating, the cost of delivering a franchised programme incurs less expense to the government and less manpower is lost in the workforce as a direct result of students being able to study in their home country. 

Additional jobs for local institutions

Local job opportunities are created for tutors/lecturers to teach the courses being delivered in the programme. Advancement of career goals and upgrading of skills are highly encouraged.
                                                                                                                                                    

Institutional strengthening

Colleges offering franchised university programe(s) have the added opportunity of being affiliated to a university, yet are able to retain their autonomy.

Quality Assurance from UWI

Quality Assurance is maintained, through UWI Faculty members meeting frequently with their College counter-parts to identify the strengths and to resolve the weaknesses or challenges of the programme delivery.  These meetings also ensure that the identical course materials, reading materials, assignments and tests which are given to the campus based students are also given to the non-campus based College students. 

Ms. Peecheeta Spencer, Principal of the Antigua State College in her article Wonderful Partnership captures how the College views the franchising arrangement. 

"The impact on other departments is a positive one. In the Advanced Level Department, there is a significant improvement in the quality of passes. Bearing in mind that the lecturers in this department also teach in the University programmes, it is not surprising that preparation to teach the UWI courses and the interaction with the UWI lecturers have deepened their knowledge, experience and professional skills."