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“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 32 UTech, Jamaica GEM Report Presents Rich Data of Current Entrepreneurship Ecosystem The University of Technology, Jamaica on Thursday, September 14, 2017 hosted a special launch ceremony and symposium to announce the findings of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Jamaica 2016/17 Report, undertaken by a team of researchers drawn from the University’s College of Business and Management (COBAM). – Team Lead Researcher, Dr. Girjanauth Boodraj, Associate Professor, COBAM, Mr. Michael Steele, Head, Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), Associate Professors, COBAM, Dr. Claudette Williams-Myers, Dr. Andrea Sutherland, Dr. Gaunette Sinclair-Maragh, Head, School of Hospitality and TourismManagement (SHTM) and Mrs. Vanetta Skeete, Senior Lecturer, COBAM. GEM is the largest study of entrepreneurship in the world. Through a consortium of universities in 100 countries, GEM data tracks the entrepreneurial attitudes, activities and motivation of entrepreneurs in the participating countries andmonitors entrepreneurial framework conditions which promote or hinder the growth of entrepreneurship such as financial support, government policies, commercial and service infrastructure and physical infrastructure. GEM tracks rates of entrepreneurship across multiple phases of activity- potential entrepreneurs, nascent entrepreneurs, new business owners, established business owners and discontinued businesses. UTech, Jamaica has been involved in producing the GEM Jamaica country report since 2005. Associate Vice President, Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Paul Ivey who delivered the welcome on behalf of President Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, in congratulating the research team, noted that “the University of Technology, Jamaica is committed to conducting high-impact, inter-disciplinary and applied research, like the GEM project that focuses on an area relevant to economic and social problems in our society.” He added that the University is happy to be playing its part in providing evidenced-based applied research in response to answering questions and providing rich data for Jamaica’s development. Keynote speaker, Hon. Fayval Williams, MP, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service lauded the researchers and the high value of the GEM Report data in informing government policy and BUSINESS, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY GirjanauthBoodraj