Dr. Kevin Brown (4th from left), President, University of Technology, Jamaica and members of the UTech, Jamaica leadership team paid a courtesy call on recently appointed Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon (4th right), at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The discussions recognized UTech, Jamaica’s contributions to national development over its 66-year history and highlighted the university’s pivotal role as Jamaica’s national Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) university. Sharing in a photo from left are Mrs. Terry-Ann Thomas-Gayle, Acting Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Miss Marion Brown, Vice President and University Registrar, UTech, Ja., Professor Shermaine Barrett. Acting Deputy President, UTech, Ja., Mr. Aldrick McNab, Pro-Chancellor, UTech, Ja., Dr. Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and Dr. Tamika Benjamin, Assistant Chief Education Officer within the ministry.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica and members of the leadership team paid a courtesy call on recently appointed Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. During the visit, Dr. Brown provided an overview of UTech, Jamaica’s contributions to national development over its 66-year history. He highlighted the university’s pivotal role as Jamaica’s national Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) university, including producing numerous leaders across various industries, such as notable figures, Hugh Grant, President & CEO, JPS, Honourable Charles Washington Misick, Turks and Caicos Premier, international musician Sean Paul, and Olympians like Asafa Powell and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Dr. Brown shared UTech, Jamaica’s RESET transformational agenda, which focuses on the university becoming more research-intensive, expanding access, being student-centered, entrepreneurial, and technology-driven, thereby “integrating education, research, and practical application to develop innovative leaders who advance technology and enhance the human condition nationally, regionally and across the globe.” Dr. Brown explained that RESET will produce several key outcomes including increased economic growth, a larger STEM workforce to meet future Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) opportunities, increased STEM research and innovation output, a higher number of tech entrepreneurs, and greater impact on the local communities where the university’s campuses are located.
Dr. Brown. also discussed the institution’s challenges, including aging infrastructure, outdated equipment, and persistent underfunding. The President expressed that an increase in subvention to $5.5 billion is currently needed to “stabilize our finances and work on diversifying our income streams.”
Introducing the Campus Master Plan 7.0 – Building a Campus for Next Generation Technology Leaders, Dr. Brown noted that this plan will modernize the campus through various improvements, including the renovation of existing buildings and infrastructure upgrades. It also includes the construction of new STEM buildings and facilities, the acquisition of new research equipment, and the development of IT and teaching labs. Additionally, the plan focuses on the creation of new student and staff housing, transitioning to solar energy, and implementing a water harvesting system. The President noted that the university is actively engaging with both private and public sector partners in advancing these transformational goals.
Pro-Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica, Mr. Aldrick McNab reinforced the need for government support, noting that UTech, Jamaica’s transformation requires collaboration and investment. “In this initial transformational stage, your support is vital,” he stated, welcoming further discussions with the Minister and her leadership team in this regard.
Welcoming UTech, Jamaica as the first selected university for a series of courtesy calls in her new role, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon stated that, “We have high expectations for you as our national STEM university. You’re doing great work, and we anticipate even more contributions to our national development.” Emphasizing UTech, Jamaica’s role in national development, the Minister noted: “This university’s success is important to the success of the country, especially since the Prime Minister declared that Jamaica is a STEM country… and UTech is going to be at the centre of that.”
The Minister acknowledged the reputation of UTech, Jamaica’s graduates in the technology sector and expressed her support for the university’s programmes and initiatives, adding that she looks forward to learning more about details of the university’s academic and research programmes and initiatives which align with the national agenda.
Minister Morris Dixon also addressed challenges at the secondary education level, where student pass rates do not align with the qualifications required for Jamaica to fully realize its STEM potential. She noted the government’s efforts to address these issues. In keeping with this thrust, Dr. Brown highlighted UTech, Jamaica’s commitment to expanding access, exploring pathways beyond traditional CSEC/CAPE qualifications, and ensuring that all students admitted to UTech graduate as high-quality professionals. “We can’t rely on just the 5 CSECs…once the student comes to UTech, we will produce a quality graduate,” he asserted.
The meeting concluded with plans to strengthen collaboration through continued discussions and a special visit and tour of the university with the Minister.
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Contact:
Michelle A. Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
Corporate Communications Unit
Advancement Division
University of Technology, Jamaica
237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 970-5299; 927-1680-8 Ext. 2299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm
