Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions ACTI

Overview

The Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI) is a regional membership organisation based in the English‑speaking Caribbean, dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation and quality in post‑secondary education. Originally conceived to unite colleges, universities and related bodies across territories, ACTI operates through a compact Secretariat located on the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. The organisation enables member institutions to share resources, influence regional education policy and advance tertiary education goals. According to uniRank, ACTI serves as a key voice for Caribbean higher learning stakeholders, promoting the development and advancement of tertiary education in the region .

1. Historical and Legal Framework

ACTI was formally inaugurated on 9 November 1990 in Kingston, Jamaica, under the presidency of national tertiary institutions and education administrators, though informal cooperation among colleges and universities began in the 1980s. Incorporated legally as a non‑political, non‑profit association, ACTI is structured to transcend individual national systems. Its constitution empowers it to liaise with member bodies and regional entities such as CARICOM, advocating for regional educational cohesion and policy coherence .

2. Mission, Vision and Objectives

ACTI’s overarching mission is to enhance access, mobility and quality across Caribbean tertiary education by promoting institutional collaboration and prudent resource allocation. Its vision is a dynamic, interconnected regional tertiary sector able to respond to shared educational and socioeconomic needs.

Its core objectives include:

• Facilitating collaboration in academic and administrative areas to enable cost‑effective enhancement of programming and services;
• Assisting institutions in developing regional strategies, including joint degrees, research initiatives and mobility mechanisms;
• Representing institutional interests in regional policy discussions and aligning operations with education transformation agendas;
• Serving as a professional forum where leaders and practitioners can exchange best practices, problem‑solve and coordinate strategic development of the tertiary sector .

3. Governance, Structure and Independence

ACTI is governed by a General Assembly that includes representatives from all member institutions. Operational oversight is provided by an Executive Committee—usually drawn from academic leadership across the region—and supported by technical committees in areas such as quality assurance, student engagement and professional development. While its Secretariat is hosted by UWI‑Cave Hill in Barbados, the Association retains legal and operational independence from any single institution or national government. Membership fees and project grants fund its activities, ensuring autonomy and impartiality in its governance model .

4. Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ACTI does not hold formal statutory accreditation powers. Instead, it plays a facilitating and advisory role in supporting quality assurance practices in the tertiary sector. Through conferences, working groups and resources, ACTI contributes to the professionalisation of internal and external evaluation processes across member territories. Its strategic initiatives, notably through collaboration with bodies like the Caribbean Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE), aim to align institutional practices with regional frameworks and emerging quality standards .

5. International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ACTI operates as an Associate Member of CARICOM and is closely linked to regional bodies such as the Caribbean Examinations Council and the Commonwealth of Learning. It holds partnerships with the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics and participates in global working groups on vocational, technical and higher education. While its geographic scope is limited to English‑speaking Caribbean countries, its activities align with international education transformation agendas and support institutional global partnerships for student exchange and research mobilisation .

6. Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ACTI plays a growing role in reshaping Caribbean tertiary education by catalysing sector-wide initiatives such as:

• National and regional conferences exploring themes like AI in academia, institutional efficiency and student equity;
• Capacity building programmes for faculty and administrators in areas such as data governance, strategic enrollment and cross‑border credential recognition;
• Promoting student mobility and joint credential agreements across institutions;
• Supporting national efforts to harmonise qualifications through the proposed Regional Accreditation Agency under the CARICOM HRD2030 plan .

These efforts position ACTI as a catalyst in helping member institutions respond to persistent challenges—limited funding, resource duplication and uneven quality assurance systems in small island states.

7. Summary

ACTI serves as the principal regional consortium of post‑secondary institutions across the English‑speaking Caribbean. Founded in 1990 to strengthen tertiary education through collaboration, ACTI enhances academic access, quality and policy influence by connecting institutions, hosting professional development activities and advising on regional strategies. Though not an accreditor, its role in supporting best practices and facilitating dialogue aligns with broader Caribbean and international educational goals.

8. FAQs

1. What is the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI)?
   ACTI is a non‑profit regional association of universities, colleges and related post‑secondary education bodies in the English‑speaking Caribbean, founded in 1990.
2. How many institutions belong to ACTI?
   Membership includes widely representative institutions from all CARICOM Anglophone countries; exact numbers vary, but each territory typically has at least one member institution.
3. Does ACTI accredit universities?
   No. ACTI does not award accreditation. Its role is advisory and facilitative, supporting quality assurance practices among institutions and working with national accrediting bodies.
4. Where is ACTI’s Secretariat located?
   The Secretariat is based on the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, though technical support and events rotate among member territories.
5. How can institutions join ACTI?
   Tertiary institutions in the English‑speaking Caribbean may apply for membership via ACTI’s membership criteria, demonstrating national recognition and alignment with ACTI’s regional goals.
6. Does ACTI collaborate internationally?
   Yes. ACTI has formal links with CARICOM, the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics and other international bodies focused on higher education collaboration and quality.

Organization Name

Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions

Acronym

ACTI

Year of Establishment

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

70

Address

c/o Cipriani College of Labour & Co-operative Studies, Churchill Roosevelt Highway
Valsayn
Trinidad and Tobago

Phone

+1 (868) 662 5014

Fax

+1 (868) 645 0489

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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