UTech, Jamaica’s Faculty of Science and Sport Collaborates on Strategic Partnership with GoJ, Local and Overseas Partners, for Cooperation on Sport Medicine Rehabilitation Programmes
Professor Colin Gyles, (4th right) Acting President, University of Technology, Jamaica presents a gift to Dr. Matthew Bartels (4th left), Director, Zion Care International during a courtesy call at the University’s Papine Campus on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 to discuss cooperation plans on sport medicine rehabilitation programmes in Jamaica. Partnering stakeholders share in the occasion (l-r): Dr. Andrew Lamm, Vice Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport (FOSS), Dr. Donna-Marie Wynter-Adams, Head, Caribbean School of Sport Sciences, FOSS, Mrs. Erica Boswell-Monroe, Attorney-at-law and Board Member, Zion Care International Inc., Caribbean Team, Dr. Kamilah Hylton, Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport, Mrs. Florette Blackwood, Sport Development consultant, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and Mr Alan Beckford, Board Member Institute of Sports (INSPORTS).
University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) through its Caribbean School of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science and Sport (FOSS) has joined as collaborators on an MoU partnership between the Government of Jamaica through its Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Medical Foundation and overseas organizations, Zion Care International Inc. (ZCI) and Montefiore University Hospital based in New York, USA, to advance sport rehabilitation programmes, research and capacity building within the Jamaican sport community.
The Jamaica Medical Foundation is the facilitator of the work of the overseas entities locally, which have been doing outreach work in Jamaica for many years, including with the Mona Rehabilitation Centre and other special projects.
As part of the planning and mobilisation phase of the MoU, which was signed by the parties in November 2021, stakeholders from partnering institutions participated in a courtesy call with Acting President, UTech, Jamaica Professor Colin Gyles on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the University’s Papine Campus.
Welcoming the team, Professor Gyles stated that UTech, Jamaica’s involvement in the developing partnership is in alignment with the University’s thrust to “build on what we have by collaborating with those who are stronger in certain areas and to seek to bring to the table, our strengths as well, so that we can accomplish more together.” The Acting President shared that as part of its preparation of students engaged in courses of study in the sport sciences, “we have been seeking to promote athletic training which involves conditioning of athletes and rehabilitation,” adding that “the collaboration that we are forging here will strengthen that effort and provide for the longevity of our athletes.”
Also wholeheartedly welcoming the collaboration, Associate Professor and Dean, FOSS, Dr. Kamilah Hylton noted that in keeping with the University’s rich tradition of excellence in sports, the Faculty unreservedly accepted the invitation of the Ministry of Sport to join as strategic partners on the project.
Underscoring that “we take the business of sports and the science behind the sports very seriously,” the Dean noted that the Faculty welcomes the current opportunity that enables involvement in projects that will exploit the science, leading to better outcomes for persons engaged in sports. Pointing out that much of the data on sports is based on the North American context, Dr. Hylton noted that the Faculty welcomes the significant prospects of the partnership for building relevant research capacity within the University and by extension Jamaica, while providing world class teaching and learning experiences for students.
Sport Development consultant with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Mrs. Florette Blackwood in providing an overview, explained that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives of Zion Care International Inc. (ZCI) and Montefiore University Hospital paid periodic visits to the island to work primarily with persons who are physically challenged and are now extending their interest in the area of sports medicine rehabilitation.
“This Memorandum of Understanding came out of this interest,” Mrs. Blackwood disclosed, sharing the key objective of the partnership, “to promote the advancement of sport rehabilitation programmes and research and capacity building within the Jamaican sport community.” Mrs. Blackwood further noted that “this is the first coordinated effort on sport medicine rehabilitation, consultation with expanded support via telemedicine services; facilitation of easier access and less costly services and equipment to the sport community; scholarly medical practices, teaching and training.”
Rehabilitation physician, Dr Matthew Bartels, who is Director, Zion Care International and Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Montefiore Health System outlined a wealth of proposed activities under the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding that will involve the mutual sharing of data, resources and knowledge, student and faculty exchange, tele-consultation and tele-education, joint research projects, health screenings and a range of sport medicine rehabilitation interventions.
The duration of the MoU is for period of five years in the initial instance.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm