This serves as an advisory that the Caribbean Maritime University will close for the holiday season at the end of the business day on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 8:15 a.m. Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2024!
Kingston, Jamaica – The Caribbean Maritime University has received an additional twenty (20) laptops from the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) in keeping with its mandate to provide access to maritime education. This comes after the ACMF’s donation of eighteen (18) laptops to the CMU in October 2020.
“With the blended modality of learning still in place at the CMU, we are elated that even more students will be able to access online classes,” Professor Noel Brown, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Accreditation, commented at a handover ceremony on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Professor Brown highlighted that roughly 19% of the student population is unable to participate in online classes or complete assignments and examinations.
CEO of the ACMF, Dr. Geneive Brown Metzger underscored the importance of this longstanding “academic partnership” between the two entities, as the ACMF is committed to the vision of the CMU to educate a cadre of maritime professionals who are vital to the global supply chain. The strong partnership between the ACMF and the CMU has seen students benefitting from millions of dollars in scholarships and donations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand the challenges that students continue to have because of the disruption caused by the pandemic, and we hope these laptops will help meet some of those needs. Thanks to MSC Cruises, who made the donation of the laptops possible,” Dr. Brown Metzger stated.
The ACMF’s continued contribution to the CMU was reiterated by Professor Ibrahim Ajagunna, Deputy President, and Dr. Eron McLean, Vice President of Planning and Development who were also in attendance at the handover event. Dr. McLean, speaking on the donation said, “a laptop is a basic tool every student needs, but not everyone has. It is a worthy contribution.”
Also, on hand at the ceremony, was Marina Anselme, Secretary-General of the MSC Foundation located in Switzerland, a donor to the ACMF. Ms. Anselme expressed her gratitude for being a part of this venture, stating, “We believe in inclusive education which leads to purpose fulfillment. We want to ensure we are outputting responsible citizens, especially those who will contribute significantly to the blue planet.”
The laptops will be loaned to students who are disadvantaged and are available at the school’s library facility as the CMU continues to anticipate and find solutions to student needs.
© 2025 Caribbean Maritime University.
Key Updates from the CMU Student and Staff Town Hall
Dear CMU Community,
Please see below key updates and decisions from the recently held Student and Staff Town Hall, as shared by the University Administration.
Scheduling and Assessment Adjustments
The University will resume face-to-face classes on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Main Campus, while the Port Royal and Western Campuses will resume on Monday, November 10, 2025. Modality details for the affected campuses will be communicated shortly.
-Semester One Final Examinations have been rescheduled to January 3–16, 2026.
-Semester Two will commence on January 26, 2026 and end on May 3, 2026, with examinations scheduled to begin April 18, 2026.
-The current semester will include 13 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of assessments, ensuring compliance with the University Counsel of Jamaica (UCJ) accreditation requirements.
-Mid-semester examinations will be replaced by coursework submissions or alternative assessments, promoting flexibility amid recent disruptions.
-Course work and class recordings will be made available via the Moodle platform for those with connectivity issues.
-Students who are unable to attend face-to-face classes will not be penalized, and faculty will ensure opportunities to catch up are provided.
Student Support and Financial Considerations
To assist students and staff affected by Hurricane Melissa, the University has implemented several relief measures:
-A Hurricane Relief Fund will be established, and care package distribution will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Montego Bay Campus.
-The Staff Welfare System will be reviewed and reactivated to provide support to affected faculty and staff.
-Tuition payments for Semester One are extended to December 31, 2025 and late payment fees for tuition will be waived to alleviate financial strain.
-All students will receive a 10% tuition discount in Semester Two.
-Students facing hardship due to job losses or other financial challenges are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Student Services or the Students’ Union for assistance.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with all members of the CMU community who have been affected during this challenging time. Together, we will remain #CMUStrong as we support one another and navigate the days ahead with faith, resilience, and unity.
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