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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P. J. Patterson, ON, and
the Minister of Education Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites,
MP, Senator Robert Montague and President of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society, Senator Norman Grant.
Social Media
The reporting period saw an increase in subscribers on
all UTech, Jamaica’s Social Media platforms. Twitter -
24% (up from 3,084 to 3,888), Instagram - 270% (up
from 615 to 1,641) and Facebook - 67% (up from 5,730
to 9,676). The UTech, Jamaica Social Media pages are
constantly updated to provide current news and events
aimed at our alumni, current and prospective students
and other internal and external stakeholders.
Memorabilia Sales
$2.4 million was raised from the sales of UTech,
Jamaica memorabilia during the reporting period. This
is an increase of $1.1 million over last year’s earnings.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
The Corporate Communications Unit manages the
communication infrastructure required for keeping
staff and customers informed on activities within the
organization, and for maintaining effective external
communications and media relations, as well as
provide public relations, event management and
protocol support for the staging of University events
to ensure that these enhance the public image of the
institution.
The “UTech, Jamaica Experts” database managed
by the Corporate Communications Unit was heavily
utilized during the period. Thirty (30) interviews with
“UTech, Jamaica Experts” were arranged with print
and electronic media houses on various issues of
national, regional and international importance. Among
the issues discussed were renewable and alternative
energy, environmental pollution and research on
Cannabis Sativa for medicinal purposes.
Events management/public relations, communication
and protocol support services were provided for over
70 University events.
The Corporate Communications Unit prepared
and disseminated a steady flow of information on
developments at the University, in the form of news
releases, press advisories, press invitations, captioned
photographs and advertorials. Approximately 71% of
news releases were published in the press, used in
news casts or published online.
Seven (7) advertorials and newspaper features
highlighting academic excellence, service, research and
student, faculty and staff achievements were produced
and published in The Gleaner and/or the Jamaica
Observer.
Page 80
University of Technology, Jamaica
• ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
ADVANCEMENT DIVISION
CONT’D