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Students’ Union
In addition to forty hours of mandatory community
service provided by all UTech, Jamaica students in their
first year, the Students’ Union is responsible for two
of the major annual community service events on the
University calendar – Tag Drive, and the “Teach the
Youth” Summer Programme.
The theme for Teach the Youth 2014 was “Seize
Your Dreams – Wake the Hero Within”. A total of six
centres were operated in the communities of Sandy
Park, August Town, Tavern, Kintyre, Highlight View and
Mountain View. The programme was well-supported
by student volunteers from UTech, Jamaica as well as
from the National Youth Service. The Students’ Union
received a plaque from Member of Parliament, Mr
Andre Hylton in recognition of work that has been done
for at risk youth in these communities each year.
The main focus of the Teach the Youth Summer
programme was to improve the numeracy and
language skills of children between the ages of 5-16
years old, in addition to which the children were treated
to motivational workshops, empowerment workshops
and conflict resolution workshops. Self-respect and
respect for others were the guiding principles of the
programme.
Tag Drive
Tag Drive 2014 undertaken by the Students’ Union
raised $600,00. These funds were split amongst three
beneficiaries - The Jamaica Foundation for Mental
Retardation, The Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica
and the Jamaica Society for the Blind.
Hope Experimental School
The International students have become increasingly
involved over the last three years with the Hope
Experimental School where they have been painting a
mural depicting various themes of the Caribbean. In
2014 they completed a mural depicting ‘Animals of
the Caribbean’, complementing their 2012 and 2013
works, ‘Symbols of the Caribbean’ and ‘Flags of the
Caribbean’, respectively.
Division of Student Services
Reddi’s Children Home
As part of the Division’s Annual Community Service
Project, the wards of Reddi’s Children’s home were
taken on a field trip to National Heroes’ Park. There
were fifteen children, two care givers and the manager
of the home in attendance. Five members of staff
from the Division of Student Services, and one ancillary
support staff became the “Aunties and Uncle” for the
tour with the children.
Department of Student Services - Counselling Unit
Carols in the Park, 2014
The year 2014 marked the eighth (8th) staging of the
“Annual Carols in the Park”. The theme was “Peace,
Unity, Love, Respect and Safety in our Communities
(P.U.R.L.S)” The event attracted 150 participants from
primary and high schools in Kingston and St Andrew as
well as from neighbouring communities.
The Victoria Mutual Building Society, UTech,
Jamaica Branch, has provided annual sponsorship of
refreshments to the participants. Other partners in
2014 were United Theological College of the West
Indies, Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI
/ HEART-NTA).
Energy Monitoring, Community Service and Internship
The student energy education initiative through the
Energy Monitoring and Auditing Team (EMAT) has
succeeded in engaging volunteers to champion
the cause of energy efficiency and environmental
stewardship on campus and in the community. This
group participated in a day of activities on the grounds
of the Shady Grove Basic School which included energy
talks and activities geared to create awareness to
Students perform at Carols in the Park concert.
Page 77
University of Technology, Jamaica
• ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015