60th Anniversary Exhibition Shows Off Growth and Impact of the Institution
Mr. Howard Chamberlain (3rd left), Special Advisor to Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information who represented the Minister, cuts the ribbon marking the official opening of the University of Technology, Jamaica 60th Anniversary Exhibition held on Monday, March 4, 2019 at The Drawing Room, Papine Campus. Sharing in the cutting of the ribbon (from left) Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, UTech, Jamaica, Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President and Mrs. Mercedes Deane, University Registrar.
The University of Technology, Jamaica on Monday, March 4, 2019 opened its 60th Anniversary Exhibition at the Papine Campus to glowing reviews by members of faculty, staff, students and visitors.
The exhibition space mounted at the Drawing Room – an historical building on the Campus, recently declared by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) among the now nine national monuments at the University, highlights snippets of the institution’s growth and impact in academics, sports and community service over its 60-year history.
In his welcome at the opening ceremony held at Lillian’s Restaurant, University President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie remarked that “over the past 60 years, this institution has marked many proud moments and celebrated many notable milestones that have helped to define UTech, Jamaica as Jamaica’s primer national university, with a strong commitment to national and regional development.”
The President noted that the institution started in 1958, then as the Jamaica Institute of Technology with just 50 students and four (4) programmes, and today, the University has grown to a population of approximately 11,500 students and offers more than 100 programmes covering a wide cross-section of academic disciplines at the certificate, diploma and degree levels. He also pointed to significant growth in the physical plant and in academics, sports, cultural progammes and service outreach to communities.
Dr. Winston Campbell, Exhibition Curator.
Curator of the 60th Anniversary Exhibition and Visual Arts Tutor at the Centre for the Arts, Dr. Winston Campbell, provided an overview of the exhibition ahead of the tour. He pointed out that the exhibition “shows off” only a fraction of the institution’s vast history. “It is a collection of highlights and reminders about who we are, what we are about and how far we have come,” he said.
The exhibition includes posters, memorabilia, publications, awards, archival photographs and artefacts. The exhibition space is divided into four themes, taking visitors through a veritable walk through history, beginning with The CAST to UTech, Jamaica Story, moving to National Impact in Science, Technology and Medicine; Humanities, Leadership and Entrepreneurship; Sports and The Arts.
Mr. Hector Wheeler, Chairman, UTech, Jamaica 60th Anniversary Celebrations speaking at the opening ceremony for the University’s 60th Anniversary Exhibition.
Chairman of the University’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, Mr Hector Wheeler, AVP, Advancement, who chaired the opening ceremony, encouraged the large gathering to invite alumni, students, colleagues and members of the public to visit the Campus to view the exhibition.
The UTech, Jamaica 60th Anniversary Exhibition runs Mondays to Fridays from March 4 to March 15, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day at the Drawing Room (adjacent to the Caribbean Sculpture Park), Papine Campus.
This exhibition should not be missed!
Viewing Exhibits
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm