…Advancing Investment in Innovation
Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness (centre), Prime Minister of Jamaica, and Ambassador Lloyd Carney (fourth left), Chancellor, University of Technology, Jamaica cut the ceremonial ribbon signalling the official opening of the UTech Lloyd Carney Foundation IMEK Laboratory on February 10, 2026, at the University of Technology, Jamaica’s Papine Campus. Joining in the photo (from left) are Mr. Hugh Cargill, Programme Director, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, and Director of the IMEK Lab, Mr. Philip Gobeyn, Lloyd Carney Foundation, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica, Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment, & Commerce, Mr. Aldrick McNab, Pro- Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica, Miss Marion Brown, Vice President and University Registrar, UTech, Jamaica and Mr. Lloyd Distant Jnr., Honorary Treasurer, UTech Jamaica Council. Valued at approximately US$1.1 million, the cutting-edge facility was established through the generous patronage and funding of the Lloyd Carney Foundation, led by the University’s Chancellor, Ambassador Lloyd Carney, OD.
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) marked a historic milestone with the official launch of the UTech Lloyd Carney Foundation IMEK Laboratory at its Papine Campus on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The ceremony, held at Lecture Theatre 50, Shared Facilities Building, was followed by guided tours of the state-of-the-art makerspace.
Valued at approximately US$1.1 million, the cutting-edge facility was established through the generous patronage and funding of the Lloyd Carney Foundation, led by the University’s Chancellor, Ambassador Lloyd Carney, OD.
The only of its kind in the Caribbean, this state-of-the-art STEM facility is anchored by an advanced metal additive manufacturing (3D printing) system and is complemented by a comprehensive suite of modern technologies that support digital fabrication, advanced manufacturing, and electronics prototyping. The laboratory houses high-impact equipment, including industrial-grade plastic and resin 3D printers, and will incorporate laser cutters, CNC machining systems, and vinyl cutters later this year, creating an integrated, end-to-end innovation environment for teaching, applied research, product development, and industry collaboration. The industrial-grade printer is capable of producing components using high-performance materials such as titanium, Inconel, and stainless steel, which are commonly used in aerospace, medical devices, energy systems, and other high-value industries where strength, durability, and resistance to extreme temperatures are essential.
Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, who delivered the keynote address, placed the launch within the broader context of Jamaica’s economic development and resilience. Referencing recent challenges, including Hurricane Melissa, he noted, “Jamaica is no stranger to shocks,” pointing to hurricanes, droughts, energy fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions that continue to impact the nation. He stressed that fiscal discipline is essential but not sufficient for sustainable growth, emphasizing the critical role of innovation, technology, and education in advancing Jamaica’s economic development.
Prime Minister Holness praised the launch of the IMEK Lab as an example of this growth-oriented approach. “Manufacturing is changing,” he said, noting that smaller countries like Luxembourg are achieving “high-value manufacturing output.” Dr. Holness affirmed, “we can do it here too. We have the bright people here too. We have the people who understand the science, the mathematics, the design and we must cultivate, support, and dedicate resources to them.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized the practical benefits of the IMEK Lab’s capabilities, particularly in additive manufacturing. “Having the capability to design and use additive manufacturing here gives us another layer of security.”
Prime Minister Holness underscored that sustained growth requires strong global partnerships and decisive leadership, pointing to his decision to appoint Ambassador Lloyd Carney as Jamaica’s Ambassador-at-Large for Technology.
“I set out to identify Jamaicans who could become growth champions, opinion leaders and offer an alternative to the old narratives that exist in our society and our culture and so I appointed several investment ambassadors. Their job simply is to bring to Jamaica the investment and the technology and the connections that we need to grow.” He explained that this vision informed his decision to appoint Chancellor Carney as Ambassador for Technology.
Highlighting the importance of private-sector partnership, he commended UTech, Jamaica’s Chancellor Ambassador Lloyd Carney, and the Lloyd Carney Foundation for their investment in Jamaica. “It is investments like these that place us firmly in the growth era which is for the next ten years,” said Prime Minister Holness.
A Personal Investment in Jamaica’s Students
Ambassador Lloyd Carney, OD, Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lloyd Carney described the establishment of the IMEK Laboratory as both a professional milestone and a deeply personal commitment to Jamaica’s future. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Holness for the opportunity to serve both as Chancellor of the University and as Jamaica’s Ambassador with responsibility for technology. “What you are seeing with the IMEK Lab is a fusion of both of those tasks – me bringing technology to our students,” he said.
Expressing deep fulfillment at establishing an advanced makerspace at UTech, Jamaica, comparable to the very best of such laboratories found across the world, Chancellor Carney underscored the importance of investing in Jamaica’s youth. “These are our students. This is not somebody else’s children. When you walk across this campus, these are Jamaican students, our students on our watch. The most important thing we do is do right by our children, because they are the future of this country,” he asserted.
Underscoring that the lab represents a model of effective partnership between the private sector and public institutions, Ambassador noted that financial support alone would not have been sufficient to bring the project to fruition. He explained that specialized expertise, industry knowledge, and global market insight were essential to securing the right equipment. In this context, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Hugh Cargill, Programme Director in the School of Engineering, who led the development of the lab locally, as well as Mr. Philip Gobeyn, who supported procurement efforts internationally, including visits to international trade shows to assess and secure the most advanced equipment available.
He urged industry partners to also give back in meaningful ways by investing not just financial resources but also their brainpower, emphasizing that it is the kind of committed partnership that makes such transformative projects possible and ensures that Jamaican students have access to world-class tools, training and opportunities.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica in his remarks expressed gratitude to the Government and to the University’s Chancellor for their support. Underscoring the significance of the more than US$1 million investment by the Lloyd Carney Foundation in establishing the advanced STEM makerspace, Dr. Brown expressed, “this act of generosity exemplifies the power of giving back and reflects a deep commitment to national development through education, innovation and opportunity. We are immensely grateful.”
Explaining that the acronym IMEK stands for Innovation, Manufacturing, Engineering and Knowledge and is also a colloquial play on the Jamaican expression “I mek,” meaning I make, Dr. Brown described the facility as a strategic investment aligned with UTech, Jamaica’s standing as the nation’s premier STEM university. He noted that the lab “builds on our 67-year legacy of combining theory with practice for real-world impact. We are a proud hands-on university,” he affirmed.
Emphasizing inclusivity, President Brown noted that the IMEK Laboratory will be accessible to students across all disciplines, adding that the facility will also serve as a national resource for industry collaboration, prototyping and manufacturing services.
Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, presents appreciation plaques to Mr. Hugh Cargill (left), Programme Director in the School of Engineering, who led the local development of the UTech Lloyd Carney Foundation IMEK lab, and Mr. Philip Gobeyn (right), who supported international procurement efforts. Ambassador Carney (3rd right) commended both men for their dedicated service.
Technical Overview of the IMEK Lab
Mr. Hugh Cargill provided a technical overview of the lab, sharing “Our Chancellor didn’t only provide equipment; he provided the complete ecosystem for these equipment to run safely to be sustainable so that this lab can last for years to come.” Explaining the game-changing transformative power of the Lab’s BLT S310 metal 3D printer, he noted its capability of printing advanced metals such as stainless steel, titanium, tool steels, aluminum, and more. He also shared that it includes five Bambu Lab polymer printers with advanced multi-material and colour capabilities and noted that the system can detect flaws in real-time and correct them before printing is complete, as well as produce complex monolithic parts with internal components which traditional manufacturing cannot achieve.
Cargill stated that the lab will support students’ learning through dedicated modules in additive manufacturing, starting next semester, and short courses for manufacturers and engineers through the UTechOpen: School of Lifelong Learning and Professional Development. “The primary purpose of this makerspace is to support students and staff to bring a concept to reality,” he affirmed.
Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness (left), Prime Minister, admires a name plate printed inside the IMEK lab, during his tour of the facility led by Mr. Hugh Cargill (right), Programme Director in the School of Engineering and IMEK Lab Director. The Prime Minister officially opened and toured the UTech Lloyd Carney Foundation IMEK Lab during the official launch ceremony held on February 10, 2026, at the University of Technology, Jamaica’s Papine Campus. Looking on is Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment, & Commerce, and Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica.
END.
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm
