Highlights: UTech, Jamaica Graduation - 2019

Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, UTech, Jamaica, delivering the Welcome Address at the University of Technology, Jamaica Graduation Ceremony at the Alfred Sangster Auditoriumm, Papine Campus on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Graduates of the University of Technology, Jamaica’s three Colleges and five Faculties walked proudly across the stage to receive their degrees, diplomas, associate degrees and certificates, at the annual Graduation Ceremonies held on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus.

Saturday’s ceremony saw the presentation of graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, the Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health and Veterinary Sciences, the College of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Law, while on Sunday, graduates were presented from the College of Business and Management, Faculty of Science and Sport, Faculty of The Built Environment and the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies.

University President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, presided over the ceremonies. At the outset of each ceremony, the President paid tribute to late, beloved and revered Chancellor, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, ON, PC and invited the congregation to stand for a moment of silence. The President noted that “the University remains grateful to Mr Seaga for his contributions to the nation, and will treasure his legacy as we recall his indomitable spirit, his love for people, and above all, his love for Jamaica.” In memory and honour of Mr Sega, the University presented the inaugural Edward Seaga Award to the student with the highest overall GPA in the last Academic Year. The award was presented by his widow, the Most Honourable Carla Seaga.

The Most Honourable Mrs Carla Seaga, widow of late Chancellor, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, ON, PC, presents the inaugural Edward Seaga Award for Academic Excellence to Mignion Davis, a graduate of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC). Ms. Davis achieved a near perfect GPA of 3.74 out of a possible 4.00 and received First class honours in her Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering degree.

In his welcome, the President extended hearty congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2019 on reaching the major milestone. “You worked hard, you surmounted the challenges, you survived and you conquered it all, to successfully complete your course of study,” he said, inviting the happy graduates to applaud themselves. Professor Vasciannie also invited the graduates to applaud all the persons who contributed to their success, namely lecturers, administrators, parents, family members and friends.

The President noted with pride that the UTech, Jamaica Class of 2019 is the first cohort of graduates to be awarded since the University achieved its major accomplishment of Institutional Accreditation by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) in February 2018. He pointed out that this stamp of approval should be beneficial to graduates in the world of work and in moving on to further studies, noting that Institutional Accreditation also means there is full recognition of their UTech, Jamaica certification.

The President noted further, that the 2019 graduates now “join the ranks of some over 50,000 graduates who are making a difference in society and impacting development in various sectors in Jamaica, the Caribbean region and beyond.” The President asserted that UTech, Jamaica graduates already have the advantage of being perceived by employers and by the public in general to be “work-ready and well prepared to hit the ground running to immediately contribute to development of organizations.” He encouraged the graduates to “carry this tradition and reputation with pride.”

Honorary Graduates

The University conferred Honorary Degrees on eminent Jamaicans, Mr. Noel DaCosta, CD, Chemical Engineer and Professor the Honourable Oswald Harding, OJ, legal educator on Saturday, November 2.

Members of leadership, University of Technology, Jamaica pose with Honorary Graduate, Chemical Engineer, Noel DaCosta, (2nd right), following his conferral of an honorary degree by the University at its Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, Papine Campus. Pictured from left are Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, Mr Richard Powell, Pro-Chancellor, and Mrs Mercedes Deane, University Registrar.

Professor the Honourable Oswald Harding, OJ, CD delivering his remarks following the conferral of his Honorary Degree.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. DaCosta thanked the University for the honour and for the Institution’s integral role in the project of preparing a modern Building Code for Jamaica which was passed in Parliament earlier this year. He shared with the Graduating Class the values of persistence and volunteerism, pointing to the “many obstacles” he encountered since beginning work on the building code in 2003, including “inadequate financing and insufficient technical hazard information about Jamaica.” Noting that over 100 professionals worked voluntarily on the building code over many years, he urged graduates to “volunteer to do something,” adding that “it will not only lift your spirits, but you will also acquire many useful life skills while volunteering.”

In his remarks, Professor Harding, a former Dean of the University’s Faculty of Law, expressed appreciation for the honour conferred on him. “ I am proud to be associated with this wonderful university and with the many students from the Faculty of Law, many of whom are now successful in their own practices or are working for leading law firms in Jamaica,” Professor Harding said.

At Sunday’s ceremony, the University conferred Honorary Degrees on acclaimed Architect Gordon Gill, The Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ, former Jamaican netballer and President of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, CD, member of the United States House of Representatives.

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.

In expressing gratitude to UTech, Jamaica for the honour conferred on them, each Honorary Graduate in turn imparted words of wisdom in their acceptance remarks. Architect Gordon Gill, a native of Jamaica who is founding partner of his Chicago-based firm, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, shared that the most profound lesson he has learnt from his many travels around the globe, is that, “you can always go home.” He urged graduates to never forget their home and country in their future journeys.

The Hon. Molly Rhone in her remarks spoke to the transformative power of sport to change lives for the better. Noting that netball as a female sport offers the opportunity “to go places where women are marginalised, under-represented or even oppressed or abused,” she said that “netball must continue to be used as vehicle to promote women’s health and fitness while helping to learn and develop new skills.” The sportswoman also cautioned that in sports, “we should not be so driven by winning that we overlook important areas of the athletes’ welfare like safety, respect, fair play, caring and support.”

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, CD admonished graduates to dream big and to focus their efforts and passion into building a stronger and better Jamaica. “Use your passion for knowledge as a catalyst for innovation which comes from filling the needs of the people and protecting their lives and liberty. Let your research be your guide, remain inquisitive and take risks. Work through your fears and you will get the break through and reward of our courage and labor,” she said.

Valedictorians

Valedictorian Brittni Dockery, who was awarded First Class Honours, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Health Sciences, in her address, told her fellow graduates “a journey with road blocks must not obstruct our path to success for we have been equipped with the knowledge and skill set to change the world regardless of societal or personal confines,” on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Valedictorian Christopher James, first class honours graduate, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting – Finance and Banking, delivers his address at the Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, November 3, 2019. He encouraged fellow graduates to believe in themselves. Quoting the late American business magnate, Steve Jobs, he said “time is limited so do not waste it living someone else’s life,” adding that “though your lifetime may be limited, your dreams are timeless so start living them today.”

Proud Dad: Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President, undeniably enjoyed the privilege of presenting his daughter, Kristen Gyles with her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Degree in Actuarial Science, Faculty of Science and Sport at the Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, November 3, 2019.

First Cohorts

Bachelor of Science in Animation Development and Production

Members of the first cohort for the Bachelor of Science in Animation Development and Production offered by the School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, pose for a photograph following the Graduation Ceremony held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium.

Master of Science in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change

Members of the first cohort of the Master of Science in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change, Faculty of The Built Environment are all smiles.

First Class Honours

College of Health Sciences

University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane presents First Class Honours degrees to (from left) Judi-Ann Rhule, Bachelor of Nursing and Regjene Dawkins, Bachelor of Nursing.

Faculty of Engineering and Computing

University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane presents First Class Honours degrees to (from left) Amaila Loney, Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering – Power and Darryl Brown, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Faculty of Law

University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane presents a First Class Honours degree to Denise Allen (left), Bachelor of Laws.

Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health and Veterinary Sciences

University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane presents First Class Honours Degrees to (from left), Deriann Smith, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and Lafliece Findlay, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing.

College of Business and Administration Management

University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane presents First Class Honours degrees to (from left) Chevany Lewis, Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management – Tourism Management and Sanje Dueit-Bogle, Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics.

Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies

Mrs. Mercedes Deane, University Registrar presents a First Class Honours degree to Kimela Burnett (left), Bachelor of Education in Business & Computer Studies – Business Studies.

Faculty of the Built Environment

University Registrar, Mrs. Mercedes Deane presents First Class Honours degrees to (from left) Adrian Woodfine, Bachelor of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Stephlynn Mitchell, Bachelor of Science in Land Economy and Valuation Surveying.

Faculty of Science and Sport

Mrs. Mercedes Deane, University Registrar presents First Class Honours degrees to (from left) Deon Beecher, Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science and Racquel Shaw, Bachelor of Science in Applied Science – Industrial Analytical Chemistry.