Voices Magazine Volume 1 Issue 2

8 / 32

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | April 2017 8
The University of Technology, Jamaica through its Caribbean
Sustainable Energy and Innovation Institute (CSEII) and the Faculty of
The Built Environment (FOBE) on Thursday, March 2, 2017, launched
the multidisciplinary Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Energy and
Climate Change.
The degree was developed in collaboration with technical and financial
assistance from partner, the German Society for International Cooperation
(GIZ) through the CARICOM Renewable Energy Efficiency Technical
Assistance Programme (REETA). It is the first programme of its kind to be
offered in the Caribbean region.
The degree programme was officially launched by the Minister of Science,
Energy and Technology, the Hon. Dr. Andrew Wheatley, MP who noted
that “the country welcomes the prospect of a larger home-based pool of
sustainable energy and green economy academics, entrepreneurs and other
professionals,” adding that “our development agenda has to be tailored with
sustainability as a key objective.”
The keynote address at the launch was given by Prof. Thomas Bruckner,
Head of Division, Sustainable Management and Infrastructure Economics,
Fraunhofer Centre for Internal Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
and Coordinating Lead Author, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), Germany which has as its mandate to provide regular assessments
of the science of climate change, its potential impacts and options to
mitigate. Prof. Bruckner spoke on the topic “Decarbonizing the World
Economy: Technical Options and Policy Instruments.”
UTech, Jamaica Council member, Mr Garfield Higgins spoke on behalf of the
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid.
Other speakers included Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, UTech, Ja. President,
Prof. Colin Gyles, Deputy President, Mr. Michael Dumke, Chargé d’Affaires,
German Embassy, Dr. Devon Gardener, Programme Manager for Energy,
CARICOM Secretariat and Dr. Garfield Young, Dean, Faculty of The Built
Environment.
MSc Overview
Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Associate Vice President, Sustainable Energy
and Head of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Innovation Institute
(CSEII) in providing an overview of the Master’s programme said that the
multidisciplinary degree “has taken an innovation driven, problem solving
approach to prepare students who are responsive to the global drives for
green business development linked to sustainable energy and climate
change solutions.” She noted that the curriculum will integrate multiple
disciplines such as engineering, natural sciences, climate change, health
and social sciences, law, economics, urban planning and business. The
modules are developed to advance the process of low carbon economic
growth and development and include such areas as “Green Business and
Green Growth,” Energy Management in Buildings and Industry,” “Energy
and Environment Data Management” and “Green Entrepreneurship and
Innovation,” among others.
Cont’d on page 9
UTech, Jamaica Launches Master’s in
Sustainable Energy and Climate Change
New UTech, Master’s to fill Green Economy Gap: Hon. Dr. Andrew Wheatley, (4th right), Minister of Science, Energy and Technology points to the banner as he officially
launches the University of Technology, Jamaica multidisciplinary Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change at the University’s Papine campus
on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Participating in the launch (from left) are Prof. Thomas Bruckner, Coordinating Lead Author, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), Germany, Mr Martin Henry, Project Manager, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Michael Dumke, Chargé d’Affaires, German
Embassy, Dr. Garfield Young, Dean, Faculty of The Built Environment, Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, AVP, Sustainable Energy, UTech,
Jamaica, Dr. Devon Gardener, Programme Manager for Energy, CARICOM Secretariat and Ms. Anja Schwerin, Advisor on Renewable Energies and Capacity Building,
German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in the Dominican Republic.