UTech Annual Report 2018-19

University of Technology, Jamaica 105 Accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Corporate Governance Report Mr Richard Powell Pro- Chancellor, Chairman of Council During the period April 1, 2018 to March 2019 the Council continued to discharge its primary responsibilities, by providing strategic direction and guiding the enhancement of the University’s governance and policy frameworks. This was achieved through the assignment of key functions to the Standing Committees of the Council and with the support of the Academic Board and its Standing Committees. The work of the Council and the Academic Board was admirably supported by the Executive Management and staff. The Standing Committees of the Council are: 1. Governance 2. Finance 3. Audit 4. University Appointments and Promotions 5. Remuneration 6. Human Resource 7. Student Affairs 8. Joint Committees of the Council and the Academic Board for the Award of Honorary Degrees All committees met on a consistent basis and reports on their deliberations were provided to subsequent meetings of the Council The Council convened four (4) scheduled meetings during the period to address Regular and Reserved Business matters. Four additional meetings were held to address extra- ordinary matters of critical importance. The main areas of focus of the Council during the period April 1, 2018 – March 21, 2019 are outlined as follows: Achievement of Institutional Accreditation During the period, the University was granted Institutional Accreditation by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) for a period of seven (7) years, effective February 20, 2018 with an expiration date of February 19, 2025. This signal achievement was attained through the hard work of representatives of all critical stakeholders, who worked tirelessly in preparing the institutional self-study and facilitated the successful Institutional Accreditation visit by a team of assessors from the UCJ. The visit took place during the period from Monday, April 30, 2018 to Friday, May 4, 2018 . The assessment team consisted of eight (8) Assessors of which five (5) were from overseas and three (3) were local representatives of the UCJ. Among other things, institutional accreditation signifies that the University of Technology, Jamaica will not need to apply to the UCJ for the approval of any new programmes introduced at the University; nor will the University have to apply for re-accreditation for individual programmes for the stipulated period of seven years. The Council acknowledges the input of all the stakeholders whomade the attainment of Institutional Accreditation a success. This achievement places the University in a coveted position in academia and provides further impetus to the pursuit of our mission: “ to positively impact Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through high quality learning opportunities, research and value added solutions to government, industry and communities” . Strategic Plan 2018- 2022 The Council provided leadership for the development of a Strategic Plan for 2018 – 2022. The exercise was guided by the management team and benefitted