UTech Annual Report 2019-20

DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES AND REGISTRY Cont’d. University of Technology, Jamaica 30 Honorary Graduands and Other Awards The University conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws on five outstanding leaders: Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, CD, Architect Gordon Gill, Mr Noel DaCosta, CD, The Honourable Molly Rhone, OJ, CD And Professor The Hon Oswald Harding, OJ, CD, QC. PhD. The University of Technology, Jamaica on Sunday, November 3, 2019 conferred Honorary Degrees on acclaimed Architect Gordon Gill (3rd left), The Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ (3rd right), former President of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (2nd right), member of the United States House of Representatives, at the University’s Graduation Ceremony held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus. Sharing in the happy occasion from left are Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President, Mercedes Deane, University Registrar and Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President. The selected Valedictorian for Saturday’s graduation ceremony was Ms. Brittany Dockery from the College of Health Sciences who received First Class honours. The Valedictorian for Sunday’s graduation ceremony was Mr. Christopher James, a student from the College of Business and Management who also received First Class Honours. Disability/Academic Accommodation The University welcomed its fourth deaf student, Ms. Ashli Bailey, a past student of the Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf, who was accepted in the College of Business and Management to complete a four-year degree in Bachelor of Business Administration. Approximately 60 students with special needs were supported with special accommodation during final examinations and in course test during the period under review. A Pilot Peer Coaching/ Mentoring Programme A pilot Peer Coaching/Mentoring programme was introduced to the students with special needs who are mostly deaf and or students with writing difficulties. These students were paired with other students for class (aide as writers), study partner tutoring and mentorship. The period saw seven special need students of varying disabilities completing their tenure of studies at the University - Mr. Everette Baker, Mr. Courtney Haynes and Ms. Nandi Hylton from the Faculty of The Built Environment, Ms. Kaylor Cover from School of Public Health and Health Technology, Mr. David Daley, Mr. David McDaniel from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing and Mr. Balfour Thomas from the Faculty of Science and Sport. COUNSELLING UNIT Number of Sessions The Counselling Unit conducted 796 sessions at the Main Campus and the Western Campus for the period April 2019 to March 2020. The number of sessions was significantly reduced in March resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of face to face classes. The Counselling Unit conducted sessions via various online platforms, and telephone. Of the total number of clients seen, clients with academic related issues accounted for the highest with 97 or 15%, this was followed by clients with depression with 83 or 13%, clients with grief with 65 or 10%, and clients with relationship problems with 58 or 9%. See Figure 3 above. In August 2019, the Unit received an additional staff in the person of Miss Susan Deegan Crawford, assigned at the Western Campus. The addition of Miss Deegan Crawford was welcomed as it met the need of students (and staff) wanting psychological support.

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