Final-year students at the University of the West Indies, Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM) will have the opportunity to execute projects created by the Seprod Group which seeks to strengthen the link between the workplace and academia.

On Wednesday (January 25), Seprod and MSBM signed a three-year memorandum of understanding which will give the students exposure to industry issues.

In 2022, Seprod developed four projects through an invitation from MSMB for its MBA and MSc students.

MSBM was impressed with the feedback from its students and stakeholders and requested an expansion of the programme. The results and solutions arising from those projects have since been utilised by Seprod.

Richard Pandohie, chief executive officer of the Seprod Group, said: “To us, this partnership is about helping to enhance the people capacity in our country. It’s an important part of driving productivity as we try to position as a bigger player in the global space.”

Pandohie added: “This initiative will give the students exposure and practical experience as they build their academic strength. It is an important part of the partnership, and we look forward to this being beneficial to small businesses, Seprod and the wider manufacturing community and ultimately Jamaica.”

IN OPERATION FOR OVER 80 YEARS

Also on hand to witness the signing was the business analytics manager for Seprod, Enrique Douglas, Learning and Development Manager for Seprod Osric Forrest; Executive Director of the MSBM, Dr David McBean and Deputy Executive Director for MBA and MSc programmes at MSBM, Dr Indianna Minto-Coy.

The Seprod Group has been in operation for over 80 years. With annual revenue exceeding J$36 billion, Seprod is one of the largest food companies in the English-speaking Caribbean, employing over 1,500 individuals with markets in 18 countries around the globe.