VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | April – June 2022 4 means of “giving back through volunteer service in support of community and heritage related rail rehabilitation efforts.” Professor Clive Roberts, Head, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, in a presentation titled What Has the Railway Ever Done for Us?, outlined the significant benefits of establishing and sustaining the rail industry. Among these benefits are the railway’s ability to provide a low carbon means of travel, create skilled jobs, reduce the number of cars and trucks on the road, regenerate city areas, connect rural communities, and increase land value and desirability. Dr. Kevin Brown, Chair, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Partnership Working Group, in his presentation, outlined the Social Intervention Community Rail Project, which will be the initial beneficiary of research, technical knowledge and expertise coming out of the collaboration between UTech, Jamaica and University of Birmingham. The project is being executed by steering committee Friends of the Jamaica National Railway, led by Mr. Neil Howard, a retired British railwayman and Dr. Brown. Mr. Oneil Josephs, Head, School of Engineering, UTech, Jamaica noted that the University has made significant contribution in research in the areas of Civil, Industrial, Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical engineering, all of which form the basis of the School of Engineering’s Bachelor of Engineering courses of study. He underscored the importance of quality engineering education, noting that “it has been established that engineering, manufacturing, the value-added industry is at the heart of development and economic growth.” He expressed further that “there is a broad need to provide capacity strengthening in terms of knowledge and technology transfer, but also in the provision of hardware and software,” a requirement that the University has moved to fulfil with the “innovative partnership” between itself, Government agencies and the University of Birmingham. Mr. Paulton Gordon, Director, Community Service and Development, noted that the Department of Community Service and Development, will further integrate other Colleges and Faculties in efforts to create a platform for students to hone their skills, as the various partners coalesce around the long overdue efforts to revive the rail industry. The Social Intervention Community Rail Project, which will be executed through assistance from volunteers, will be open to University students who wish to complete the Community Service requirements of their courses of study. Cont’d from page 3...UTech, Jamaica and University of Birmingham Sign MoU to Collaborate (L-r) Senator the Honourable Leslie Campbell, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kevin Brown, Chair, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Partnership Working Group, Mr. Paulton Gordon, Director, Community Service and Development, Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica, The Honourable Audley Shaw, Minister of Transport and Mining, Professor Clive Roberts, Head, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Mr. Oneil Josephs, Head, School of Engineering, UTech, Jamaica, Dr. Marcelo Blumenfeld, Associate Professor of Transport Systems, University of Birmingham and Dr. Robin Coombes, Director, Heritage Rail Knowledge Network, and Research Fellow, University of Birmingham on April 13, 2022 at the Symposium on Railway Engineering at the UTech, Ja. Papine Campus.
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