University of Technology, Jamaica
Excellence Through Knowledge

UTech Breaks Ground for Training Facility at Lionel Town Hospital

President Prof. the Hon. Errol Morrison, OJ (right) has the rapt attention of from left, Mr Lester Woolery, Chairman, National Health Fund, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, Minister of Health and Associate Professor Kofi Nkrumah-Young, Vice President, Planning and Operations prior to the start of the ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of renovation and expansion of the Lionel Town Hospital training facilities being undertaken by UTech.

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer on Tuesday, April 5, 2010 laid the first tile at the site of training facilities at the Lionel Town Hospital, Clarendon, where the College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has embarked on a two-year training programme for Pharmacy and Dialysis Technicians.  Minister Spencer made the symbolic gesture during a special groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of renovation and expansion of training and resident facilities at the Hospital.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Spencer noted that the certificate training programme represents part of Government’s thrust to build the human resource capacity in health, with special focus on training and access by residents in rural Jamaica.  "We cannot hope to sustain the health gains that the country has made without a concerted focus on capacity building and retaining those in whom we have invested," he told the gathering of health sector leaders, members of faculty, staff and Lionel Town community members.

In thanking the University for partnering with the Ministry of Health, the Minister pointed out that the demand for pharmacy and dialysis services far outstrips the sector’s capacity to provide these services.  “We have seen a 44% increase in visits to pharmacy since the abolition of user fees and this trend is expected to continue based on the number of persons with chronic non-communicable diseases and our aging population.  The situation is similar with respect to renal services.”  He noted further, that Jamaica needs more than 200 more units to fully meet the needs of each dialysis patient and to satisfy government policy that patients should not travel for more than 30 minutes to access renal or pharmacy services.

Training Facilities

Dr. Cliff Riley, Faculty Coordinator for Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, in the College of Health Sciences, UTech who is spearheading the training programme, explained that the renovated facilities at the hospital when completed in three weeks will house three lecture rooms, two laboratories for practical sessions, a staff room, reception area, a prep-room and computer laboratory.  The programme will incorporate extensive didactic and experiential training that will equip participants with analytical and problem-solving skills to meet the requirements of pharmacy and dialysis technicians.  Both the Pharmacy Technician and the Dialysis Technician course will be delivered over 1 calendar year on a full- time basis.  The former consists of 36 credits comprising 24 weeks didactic lectures, 16 weeks clinical clerkship and 8 weeks research training and the latter consisting of 31 credit hours comprising 24 weeks didactic lectures, 12 weeks clinical clerkship and 12 weeks practicum/experiential training at a private or public renal unit.  Thirty students will be trained for each cohort.

“The People’s University”

President, UTech, Prof. the Hon. Errol Morrison, OJ in his welcome said that UTech is pleased to be fulfilling its mandate as “the People’s University” in its continuing thrust to take relevant training programmes  needed for the growth and development of Jamaica, to various areas in the country.  “This is the beginning of much more to come in Clarendon,” the President said, to heavy applause from community members present at the ceremony.  Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Associate Professor Eugenie Brown-Myrie in expressing similar sentiments, noted that the College is committed to the training of health care professionals to meet national demand.  The College provides training programmes in Public Health Nursing, Pharmaceutics, Medical Technology, Dietetics and Nutrition and other allied health professions.

The training programme for Pharmacy and Dialysis Technicians is being funded by a grant of $69.7 million from the National Health Fund (NHF).  CEO of the NHF, Mr. Hugh Lawson in his remarks said that the Fund was pleased to be partnering with UTech and expressed confidence that the training of more persons in these two critical areas of health care will significantly impact the delivery of health care in Clarendon and in wider Jamaica.

Dr. Cliff Riley (right) takes Minister Rudyard Spencer and guests on a tour of the facilities under renovation at the Lionel Town Hospital.

UTech/JIM Launches Securities Course in Cooperation with Bloomberg

Miss Chrissa Gillette, Bloomberg Regional Representative explains how the Bloomberg platform works.

The UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management launched its Intermediate Securities Course at a ceremony held on March 31, 2010 in cooperation with the Bloomberg Platform -  regarded as the most respected real-time financial information network in the world.

The only programme of its kind available at any tertiary institution in Jamaica, the Intermediate Securities Course will enhance participants’ ability to perform their jobs as registered securities representatives and advisors. Head of the UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management, Dr. Neville Swaby noted at the launch, that “many changes have occurred in the securities market during the recent past in terms of theory, empirical research, financial instruments and trading practices, as capital markets continue to become more global and integrated with frequency of cross border instruments and opening of new markets.”

This new Intermediate Securities course will enable participants working in the securities industry to improve on their knowledge of the market through both empirical evidence and theory, coupled with the practical based Bloomberg Trading Platform. The 12-module course delves into a practical and comprehensive examination of capital markets and other investment banking activity in the capital markets, domestic and global securities markets.  Modules will examine areas such as treasury management, risk analysis, financial statement analysis, investment products, foreign currency market, the regulatory environment and Jamaica tax laws.

Guest speaker at the launch, Mr. Peter Chin, CEO, Alliance Investment Management said that “the introduction of this course at this time is most appropriate; particularly after the recent worldwide financial meltdown…hopefully the course will incorporate some of the hard lessons learnt from this meltdown.”  Mr. Chin noted further that his company, Alliance Investment, utilizes Bloomberg extensively in its day to day business activities.  “Through the Bloomberg terminals we have real time access to the major markets worldwide and access to tools which aid financial and economic analyses so our staff can make informed investment recommendations to our clients,” he noted.

Miss Chrissa Gillette, Bloomberg Regional Representative in her demonstration pointed to the usefulness of the Bloomberg platform in providing real-time access to any financial market in the world.

For further information, please contact the UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management at 927-5857 or 978-4207.

Dr Neville Swaby (right), Head, UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management takes guests on a tour of the Bloomberg training room located at the School’s Old

UTech Sports Sciences Degree Expands Professional Training for Development

Dr. Colin Gyles, Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport (Acting)

Research has indicated that there is a severe shortage of sports professionals in all areas of sport in Jamaica, the Caribbean region, Latin America and in Africa.  It has been estimated that Jamaica needs some additional 200 football coaches, 200 sport health science personnel, (excluding doctors), 300 sport managers for elite athletics, teams and associations and other related specialists in order to respond to the needs of the national programme of sport development.

The new Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Sciences offered by the Faculty of Science and Sport at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has been specially designed to meet this demand for sports professional training.

Dr. Colin Gyles, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science and Sport notes that “UTech currently enjoys a world reputation for training athletes to the highest level of athletic competition,” adds that, “in order to be sustainable in this regard, the University is now moving to transform physical strength and competition into sustainable academic work and scientific research.”

Course Structure
At a special luncheon with leaders from the local sports fraternity held on Friday, April 16 at UTech, Dr. Neville Graham, head of the Caribbean School of Sport Sciences explained that the BSc. in Sports Sciences will be delivered for the first time in September 2010 at the start of the new academic year and is designed to provide hands-on practical experience for practitioners in various areas of sport.  It will be delivered over four years on a full-time basis and provides students with three exciting options for specialization in the Art and Science of Coaching; Sports Management and Sports Athletic Training (Sport Physiotherapy and Conditioning).  Modules include Methodology of Teaching Sports and Physical Fitness, Applied Sports Performance Analysis, Sports Journalism, Sports Marketing, Sports Laws and Ethics, Medical Therapeutics and Doping in Sports, Sports Tourism Management, Sports Nutrition and Fluid Management and Biomechanics, Kinesiology and Sports Psychology.  In his remarks, President, Prof. the Hon. Errol Morrison, OJ pointed to the need for training in the art and science that underpins the performance of our athletes.  Plans are also advanced for the development of a Master’s degree in Sports Sciences.

Entry requirements are five (5) CSEC subjects (General Proficiency Level) with Grades 1, 2 or 3 as of June 1998 or GCE O’Level with Grades A, B, or C including Mathematics and English Language and one science subject. Mature applicants without these matriculation requirements may apply for entry through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).  Application deadline for the 2010/11 academic year is May 31, 2010.  For further information, contact the Admissions Office at 927-1680-8, extension 2329 or 3222.

Consultants Selected for UTech Enhancement Project Institutional Strengthening Initiatives

L-R (seated) are Mrs Paula MacKinnon, Principal, MindBloom Consulting, Canada, Associate Professor Kofi Nkrumah-Young, Vice President, Planning and Operations, UTech, Mr. Tony Lewars, Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Mrs Dianne Mitchell, Vice President, Administration and University Registrar. Standing from left are Miss Novalee Mumby, Administrative Support, Project Management Unit, Dr. Gregory MacKinnon, Education Technology Specialist, MindBloom Consulting, Canada, Mr. Don Clayton, Consultant, MindBloom Consulting, Dr. Sherwood, ICT Specialist, MindBloom Consulting, Mrs Denise Stephenson-Hammil Senior Director, Planning & Operations, UTech, Mrs Jennifer Ellis, Senior Director, HR, UTech, Mr. David Harrison, Project Coordinator and Head of the Project Management Unit, UTech, Mr. Garth Kiddoe, Project Supply Chain Manager, UTech and Miss Tricia Fuller, Finance and Reporting Officer, UTech.

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) signed contracts with three consultants who have been awarded contracts to complete five different consultancies.  This is an important part of the quality enhancement initiatives included in the Institutional Strengthening component of the UTech Enhancement Project. 

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) in 2008 signed a loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for a loan of US$25.87 million to fund extensive development projects at UTech. GOJ has undertaken this investment as a grant to UTech, and the university is contributing counterpart funding of $US16.78 million for related and associated projects.

Consultants were sourced via international tendering.  Contracts have been awarded to Trevor Hamilton and Associates Centre for Excellence who will undertake Market Needs Analysis and Income Diversification assignments; MindBloom Consulting out of Nova Scotia, Canada who will have responsibility for the Information and Communication Technology as well as Enhancement of the Quality of Learning and Teaching consultancies; and PriceWatherhouseCoopers who will lead the development of the Human Resource Management System.

Associate Professor Kofi Nkrumah-Young in his welcome at the signing ceremony was pleased to note that the Enhancement Project had now entered the implementation stage.  The Project has two main components – institutional strengthening and civil works development.  Associate Prof. Nkrumah-Young told the gathering that major designs for civil works and infrastructure projects were completed and plans were being pursued to start construction activities later this year.  He also noted that a Project Management Unit responsible for all aspects of project implementation had been established at UTech.

Income Diversification Strategy

The consultant will recommend strategies and plans and for enhancement of the university’s income stream.

Market Needs Analysis

Recommendations from the Market Needs Analysis consultancy will assist the University in planning and coordinating its training programmes by way of assessing and responding to market needs. 

Enhancement of the Quality of Learning and Teaching

The consultant leading the Enhancement of the Quality of Learning and Teaching will mount a series of professional development workshops geared at further strengthening the instructional capabilities of academic staff.

Information and Communication Technology

The ICT consultant will develop detailed proposals and related implementation plans to enable the ICT resources of the University to adequately meet the institution’s academic and operational requirements.

Human Resource Management
The HRM Consultant will lead the preparation of a Human Resource Management System to enable a more integrated and structured human resource function and to enable the University to meet its strategic objectives. 

The duration of the contracts vary from four (4) to thirty-three (33) months.

UTech Participates in West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) forum on financing Higher Education

The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT St. Augustine) hosted a seminar on “Sustainable Funding of Higher Education in Challenging Times” on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

The WIGUT seminar featured six panels exploring challenges faced in funding higher education. Presenters examined a range of practical issues, such as traditional and entrepreneurial approaches and models in higher education, quality assurance and return on investment, funding models and case applications in higher education, and cost-cutting and workload issues.  Associate Professor Kofi Nkrumah-Young, Vice President, Planning and Operations gave a presentation on “Financing models for higher education and building the entrepreneurial university.”

DISCUSSING FUNDING MODELS: From left, Dr Kofi Nkrumah-Young, Vice President, Planning and Operations, UTech, Dr Roger Hosein, Lecturer, Department of Economics, UWI St Augustine and Mr Immanuel Gonsalves, President, College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), in discussion prior to their presentations in the opening session of the WIGUT  seminar on “Sustainable Funding of Higher Education in Challenging Times”, held on March 4, 2010 at Daaga Hall Auditorium, UWI, St. Augustine campus.

Highlights: 3rd International Track and Field Classic

President Morrison (3rd left) welcomes spectators to the 3rd Annual Staging of the UTech International Invitational Track and Field Meet held at the National Stadium on Saturday, April 17, 2010.  Participating in the welcome ceremony from left are Mr Howard Aris, President, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA), Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr. the Hon. Alfred Sangster, former UTech President and patron of the Meet and Mr Ali McNab, Advisor to Minister Grange.  At right Minister Grange presents Dr. Sangster with the shield acknowledging him as the patron of the 3rd UTech International Invitational Track and Field meet.

The Department of Sport “Home of World Class Athletes” successfully staged its third annual international collegiate track and field meet on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the National Stadium.

Despite a heavy afternoon down pour, it was an exciting evening showcasing the prowess of UTech student athletes, UTech-based MVP Track & Field Club athletes and athletes invited from local clubs and international colleges and universities from Cuba, USA, Sweeden and the Netherlands.  Also invited to participate were top athletes from local preparatory, primary and high schools and physically challenged athletes from Mona Rehabilitation Centre who participated in the 100 m wheelchair race.   Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports declared the Meet officially opened amidst enthusiastic cheers from the large grand stand crowd.

Mr. Anthony Davis, Director of Sport, UTech has noted that the staging of well organized competitions at the university level is crucial to the development of sports in Jamaica. “We have for years done exceptionally well at the high school level, both in terms of the organization of well run competitions and nurturing talent. At the end of the day when these gifted high school athlete’s graduate, we must have a very vibrant university system to provide the atmosphere for them to develop to international standard.”

He further pointed out that while we have many talented high school athletes, very few can represent the country at that tender age in senior international competitions. “It is at the university level that their bodies are better able to do the kind of work necessary to allow them to perform with distinction as seniors at the international level. We at UTech recognize this and so the staging of international competition and inviting or local partners to participate demonstrates our efforts to lead the effort for the development of sport at the university level.” The Director of Sport was speaking at the press conference launch of the Classic on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at the Knutsford Court Hotel.

Sponsors for the Classic were CVM Television, Jamaica Observer, Lucozade Sport, Juici-ful, Courts Jamaica Ltd., Mavis Bank Coffee, Xosmo, and The Knutsford Court Hotel. 

Pictorial highlights:

UTech Alumnus Gives Back

Mrs. Garcia Imoru (far right), Financial Aid Officer, UTech accepts the scholarship cheque from Mrs. Winnifred Mullings, Director, M & M.  Sharing in the presentation are (l-r) Mr. Devroe Robinson and Mr. Jevon Wheatley of the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, Mr. Richard Mullings, Assistant Project Director, M & M and Mr. Tariq Parchment, Faculty of the Built Environment.

Representatives from M & M Jamaica Limited presented scholarships valuing Two Hundred Thousand ($2,00,000) dollars to three UTech students at a presentation ceremony held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the Papine campus. 

The awardees, Jevon Wheatley and Devroe Robinson of the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies and Tariq Parchment, Faculty of the Built Environment were granted scholarships for academic excellence.  The scholarship requires the students to be pursuing degrees in construction engineering to be residents from the Parish of St. Elizabeth - home parish of Mr. Donald Mullings, founder of M&M Jamaica Ltd. and UTech Alumnus. 

Mr. Richard Mullings, Assistant Project Director at M & M in his remarks thanked UTech for allowing them the opportunity to fulfil their civic duty.  “Jamaica’s greatest resource is its youth and at M & M, we are passionate about education of our youth”, he said.  He encouraged the recipients to become productive members of the society, and stressed the importance of examining the implications of their actions.

Mrs. Garcia Imoru, Financial Aid Officer, UTech, encouraged the recipients to continue to excel in their educational pursuits and thanked M & M for their support of the development of Jamaica’s youth.
 
M & M Jamaica Limited offers scholarships and bursaries through their Chance Fund to over 13 educational institutions from the primary to the tertiary level.

Faculty of the Built Environment Recognises Excellence

Mr. Ronald Jackson, Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) delivering the main address at the 11th Annual Awards Ceremony of the Faculty of the Built Environment held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

"The increased incidences of disasters have forced a greater understanding of disaster management”, says Mr. Ronald Jackson, Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.  Mr. Jackson was Guest Speaker at the 11th Annual Awards Ceremony of the Faculty of the Built Environment held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at UTech under the theme, Recognising Excellence.

A graduate of the Faculty, Mr. Jackson told the gathering that disaster management must be seen as a developmental issue which now demands a new generation of practitioners who need to be innovative and equipped with a multiplicity of skills.  He implored the University to continue the development of Jamaica’s technical capacity to assist in mitigating the many challenges that hinder effective disaster management.

Below are pictorial highlights of the Ceremony.

Mr. Patrick Stanigar (l) presents the E. Nadine Isaacs Architecture Ltd. Award to CSA Student of the Year, Mr. Andre Clarke.	Mr. Rohan Stephenson accepts from Mrs. Cadien Murray-Stuart, Lecturer,   the Jentech Award recognising him for emerging School of Building and Land Management Student of the Year.
Miss Suane Morgan (r) is all smiles as she accepts the Building Societies of Jamaica Award for outstanding performance in Construction Management from Mrs. Sonia Young, Faculty Administrator.	Mr. Keniel Roberts, accepts the Newsome, McCook & Associates Award for excellence in Land Surveying from Ms. Jenevy Smith, Lecturer.
Dr. Audrey Thomas (r), former Dean of the Faculty, is presented with a citation from the current Dean, Dr. Carol Archer (l), for her outstanding contribution to the Faculty of the Built Environment.	Dr. Rohan Bailey, lecturer (on steel pan) is accompanied by students of the Faculty who provided entertainment at the Ceremony.