UTech, Jamaica 2016-17 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 Page 27 Excellence Through Knowledge her to meet and interact with all the support services and staff who would contribute to her success at UTech, Ja. In collaboration with the Colleges of Health Sciences a forum for students with special needs was held on Friday, April 21, 2017 under the theme: “Environmental Access and Adaptive devices for persons with special needs.” Approximately 22 people attended. High School Mentorship Programme The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) launched the final leg of the three year High School Mentoring programme for the benefit of high school students in close proximity to the University’s Papine campus on Friday, February 3, 2017 at the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC). Students and counsellors from Jamaica College and Papine High School attended. Mrs Dorrset Gabbidon-Pottinger, Assistant Registrar, Student Services explained that the High School Mentoring programme seeks to provide positive role models for high school students and inspire participants to pursue tertiary level educational opportunities. She commended the 47 high school students and the Graduate Sherona Anderson of the Faculty of Science and Sport is elated as she accepts her First Class Honours Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar. Mrs. Ava McIntosh, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Sport who assisted Sherona down the aisle looks on. Sherona defied the odds and the debilitating effects of the degenerative disease - spastic paraparesis to complete the very challenging Actuarial Science degree. The disease which attacks her central nervous system rendering her unable to control voluntary muscle movements began affecting her at the start of her four year degree programme in 2011. She expressed that she has never missed a class despite the challenges faced on a daily basis and thanked fellow students who assisted her with mobility. Aliou Graham, College of Business and Management graduate is congratulated by Dean, Prof. Paul Golding on being awarded the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management – Economics. In the final year of his studies in 2013, Aliou was shot by gunmen in an attempted robbery which left him unable to walk. He defied the challenges of his condition to successfully complete his degree.