We entered January 2025 with great hope and aspirations for a rewarding year. No one could predict that within 301 days, hope would turn into sorrow for many of our brothers and sisters who suffered immeasurable loss and damage from Hurricane Melissa. Our hearts go out to all our colleagues and students who were directly or indirectly impacted by this devastating event.

Despite the devastation, we have remained resilient and are recovering stronger and better. The outpouring of love and care from Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans, both locally and globally, is sufficient to warm our hearts and lift our spirits. It demonstrates that humanity is still alive and well in our world today.

The Mona Campus is grateful for a productive year in 2025. We have made significant progress in advancing critical agenda items that are fundamental to building a strong and vibrant academic community in this highly competitive higher education marketplace.

Our campus was able to:

• Finalise the first phase of operation RTG, our flagship transformation project to drive efficiency and accountability in our workplace
• Raise capital on the capital market to restructure our balance sheet and drive savings in our cash flow
• Receive approval to launch a major infrastructure development programme to modernise the infrastructure of the campus
• Develop partnerships with globally respected universities to advance research, teaching, and learning that will improve the learning experience of our students
• Launch Phase 1 of our flagship giving programme (MIRF) to raise funds for the rehabilitation of our existing infrastructure on the campus
• Invest over J$160 million to repair infrastructure to enhance the lived experience of our students
• Invest over J$200 million to repair infrastructure to enhance the work environment for our faculty and staff

As we close out 2025, the campus administration is pleased to report that year-to-date

• Our operating margin has improved from 2.5% to 12.9%
• Revenue growth has improved by 6.8%
• Expenses have reduced by 4%
• Operating surplus has improved by over 120%

This performance would not have happened without your dedication and hard work. I salute you today and thank you for driving a productive year in 2025.
As we look to 2026, we will be focused on:

• Building greater buffers within our finances so we can withstand shocks and respond to opportunities faster and better.
• Building stronger accountability within our HR system to ensure that we have a highly productive and rewarding environment
• Building new infrastructure to modernise the physical aesthetics of the campus
• Building more partnerships to provide work opportunities for our students

2026 promises to be another exciting year for us at the Mona Campus.

As we close out 2025, let us take this time to reflect on our gains and losses during this period and give thanks that we are still standing on this side of humanity.
Happy Holidays, everyone, and please lend a helping hand to support the less fortunate among us during this season.

Densil A. Williams
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal