UTech, Jamaica receives cutting-edge IdeaHub from Huawei to enhance teaching and learning experience
Officers of UTech, Jamaica and Huawei pose beside the IdeaHub smart tool technology donated to the University’s School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) by Huawei on April 22, 2024. Sharing in the occasion from left are Mr. Courtney Hamilton, Director, Enterprise Business Group, Huawei, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Mr. Jiaqing He, Public Relations Manager, Huawei, Mr. Neil Grant, representative, Huawei, Professor Sean Thorpe, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC), Mr. David White, Head, SCIT and Dr. Balvin Thorpe, Vice Dean, FENC.
University of Technology, Jamaica through its School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, received the generous donation of an IdeaHub, an intelligent large screen productivity smart tool designed for offices and team collaboration, donated by Huawei Technologies Jamaica Company Ltd. The IdeaHub, which bundles intelligent writing, High Definition (HD) video conferencing and wireless sharing is expected to significantly enhance the teaching and learning experience for both faculty and students by displaying lesson materials, playing videos, browsing the internet, and delivering presentations. The donation was enthusiastically welcomed during a handover ceremony held at the School of Computing and Information Technology, Papine Campus on April 22, 2024.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica in expressing appreciation to Huawei noted the challenge and expense of providing students with access to adequate cutting-edge equipment needed to support a transformative STEM education. Looking ahead, President Brown shared his hope of evaluating the effectiveness of the IdeaHub to explore ways to integrate it into labs, classrooms, and lecture theatres. This he said will contribute to an interactive and engaging educational environment, fostering innovation and creativity. Dr. Brown also noted that the sturdiness of the boards could eliminate the need for projectors which are prone to theft.
Mr. Neil Grant, representative from Huawei, explained that the donation stemmed from a recent inventory recount that found additional items in their company’s portfolio. He shared that the donation is timely as, “it would give you the ability to take some of what we saw in our offices into the lab environment and validate whether or not the tool is the right tool.” He affirmed, “certainly, the tool is a step in the right direction” as he explained that it currently helps the Huawei team significantly in their day-to-day collaboration. Mr. Grant shared his hope that the partnership between UTech, Jamaica and Huawei will grow as the team continues to work closely to aid the institution in its advancement into the digital era.
Professor Sean Thorpe, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, expressed his enthusiasm to partner with Huawei over the past seven years particularly through the Huawei Seeds for the Future programme which selects ICT students from around the world to participate in short-term training, global competitions and ongoing activities centered around digital technology.
Courtney Hamilton, Director, Enterprise Business Group, Huawei shared that his company is “excited to do more,” and asserted that, “this is a continuation of our relationship with UTech,” adding that many of the university’s graduates are employed by Huawei Jamaica.
Dr. Kevin Brown (left), President, UTech, Jamaica and Mr. Neil Grant (right), representative, Huawei share a handshake in front of the IdeaHub productivity tool now in operation at the School of Computing and Information Technology, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus.