Three New Computer Labs at the UTech, Jamaica Shared Facilities Building Officially Commissioned
Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, University of Technology, Jamaica cuts the ribbon at Lab 47B1 symbolising the official commissioning of the three new computer laboratories at the Shared Facilities Building at the official Commissioning Ceremony held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. President Vasciannie is flanked by Prof. Colin Gyles (2nd left), Deputy President, Mrs. Mercedes Deane (left), University Registrar and Deans, Prof. Nilza Aples (3rd left), Faculty of Engineering and Computing, (back row, from left), Dr. Kamilah Hylton, Faculty of Science and Sport, Dr. Garfield Young, Faculty of The Built Environment and Dr. Rohan Lewis, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, and Mrs. Genefa Hibbert (2nd row, left), Chief Operations and Projects Officer (Acting).
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teaching and learning infrastructure at the University of Technology, Jamaica has been significantly enhanced with the official commissioning of three new computer laboratories at the new Sheared Facilities Building at the Papine Campus. The computer labs were officially commissioned into use at a special ceremony held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Lab 47B1, Shared Facilities Building.
The three new state-of-the art computer labs comprise 96 computers in total with each lab having two dedicated networked printers.
President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD noted in his welcome that the completion and opening of the Shared Facilities Building is a major achievement for the University which this year marks its 60th anniversary of “providing education training and service to Jamaica.” The President noted that the computer labs will support IT based curricula across all Colleges and Faculties. He added that “these efforts all work together for good in our continuing drive to obtain institutional accreditation in the very near future.”
Professor Vasciannie reiterated gratitude to all persons from across the University who have contributed to the establishment of the Shared Facilities Building and to everyone involved in ensuring that the computer labs have been adequately set up and powered to run.
He thanked the Project Management Unit, Finance and Business Services, Facilities Management Department, Safety and Security Department and the Technology and Information Management Department(TIM) Department whose units, Network and Operating Systems Services Unit (NOSS) outfitted the laboratories and adjoining spaces with the networking equipment that facilitates both wired and wireless network connectivity, and The Learning Technologies Support Unit (LTSU) which played a vital role in the design and installation of multimedia equipment. These elements have transformed the locations into technologically advanced teaching and learning spaces.
President Vasciannie also specially thanked Dr. Sean Thorpe, Head, School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) “for his continued efforts to obtain IT equipment and support for SCIT students and for students in the wider University Community.” He noted that three of the large, state-of-the-art printers being used in the computer labs at the Shared Facilities Building were donated by Massy Technologies Limited facilitated by Dr. Thorpe through partnership with the company.
The President implored students and everyone who will use the labs to be good custodians of the facilities so that they will be preserved for use by future students.
Dr. Thorpe in his remarks informed the gathering of Deans, Vice-Deans, AVPs, Heads of Schools, members of faculty, staff and students, that the three new commissioned labs brings the capacity of computer labs across the University to a total of 34. “Now we will be able to supply our student community with greater access and capacity with respect of the resources that are so deservingly needed,” Dr. Thorpe noted, adding that in addition to supporting face-to-face teaching and learning, the new computer resources will enhance capacity for distance learning across all UTech, Ja. campuses. The labs are managed by the technical team in SCIT.
Mr. Nicolas Smith (seated), 3rd year School of Computing and Information Technology student has the rapt attention of President Prof. Stephen Vasciannie (3rd left) and other university officers as he demonstrates the use of animation and digital graphics on one of the new computers located in Lab 47B1. Looking on with keen interest from left are Mr. Rushane Jones, SCIT Lecturer - Animation and Digital Graphics, Mr. Matthi Thomas, 4th year SCIT student, Prof. Colin Gyles, Deputy President, Prof. Nilza Aples, Dean, FENC, Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan, Associate Vice President, Continuing Education, Open and Distance Learning.
Presentation of FENC Letters of Accreditation
During the ceremony, Professor Vasciannie presented official Letters of Accreditation recently received from the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) for accreditation of the Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and the Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering. The accreditation is for the four year period commencing July 1, 2015. President Vasciannie congratulated Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Professor Nilza Aples and her team for the signal achievement. For the President, “accreditation benefits the students of the University most of all; we are redoubling our efforts to achieve institutional accreditation for the University’s benefit and for that of the wider society,” he noted.
Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, UTech, Jamaica presents Prof. Nilza Aples, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing with the official letters of accreditation from the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) for the Faculty’s Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and the Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering courses of study.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm