The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net SANDALS Resorts International will today launch its fully-accredited international university, with each of its hotel properties serving as a learning institute. Adam Stewart, the resort chain's chief executive, speaking at official opening of Sandals Royal Bahamian's Balmoral Tower, said the university was a significant step in the company's 30-year history. Mr Stewart said: "We will be launching the first ever corporate university of any private organisation that will be internationally accredited on this side of the world. We have teamed up with universities worldwide. The programs are being offered through partnerships with internationally-recognised Ryerson University in Canada, Western Hospitality Institute in Jamaica, and the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning, which will provide classes in mathematics and English for those in pursuit of high-school equivalency." The Sandals Group will be launching the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) in Jamaica today Mr Stewart said: "A lot of the team members worldwide have different journeys. Sometimes they have strong education levels, and sometimes they don't, and we felt that as an organisation it was our duty to be able to give them a good education. "Every one of our hotels will have a learning institute. We will be writing curriculums. Most of them have been done already, working with international universities, and opening education to all of our team members. Over 4,000 team members will be affected in our first 12 months of operation, which starts officially next month." Mr Stewart previously told Tribune Business that Sandals has invested $1 million to get the university to its launch point, and would invest $5 million a year in it.