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VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica |

June 2017

26

O

ver one hundred CAST/UTech, Jamaica alumni came out for a

cocktail reception and information-sharing session with President,

Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, on Thursday, June 1, 2017. The well

attended reception organized by the Alumni Relations Office, was held at

the new School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM) Hotel,

University of Technology, Jamaica Papine campus.

In his wide-ranging talk with alumni, President Vasciannie updated the

gathering on recent developments and shared plans for the future direction

of the University.

The President provided updates on the status of accreditation; matters

concerning research and scholarships, student-related concerns, changes

in senior staffing; status of union negotiations and thoughts related to

greater engagement between the University and its alumni community.

The President closed with thanks to the alumni membership for on-going

support to the University through various activities and encouraged the

Association to think of additional ways in which alumni can be “energised.”

He noted that for the period 2012-2017 contributions by alumni amounted

to $8.6 M in the form of scholarships, lab upgrades, development of a

SMART classroom and cash gifts.

The President’s update was followed by a robust question and answer

session.

Mr. Ronald Sutherland, President of the Alumni Association also addressed

the gathering, commenting on the importance of positive student

experiences in promoting alumni loyalty. Mr. Sutherland, who is a member

of Council, also stressed that UTech, as Jamaica’s national university should

insist on obtaining institutional accreditation from the relevant authority.

Among the Alumni in attendance was a group dubbed, “CAST Pioneers.”

They represent the first set of students who entered the University of

Technology, Jamaica in 1958/59 at the then College of Arts, Science and

Technology (CAST) and who graduated in 1961.

President Hosts Reception for Alumni

President Vasciannie updates CAST/UTech,

Jamaica alumni on developments at the

University during a special reception held at the

Papine campus on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

PIONEER GRADUATES: Prof. Stephen

Vasciannie (right) raps with “CAST Pioneers”

Cowell Lyn (2nd left), retired Engineer and

Keith Lumsden (3rd left), Architect, who were

both part of the 1961 Graduating Class of the

then College of Arts, Science and Technology

(CAST). Prof. Colin Gyles, Deputy President

shares in the discussion.