VOICES MAGAZINE, Issue 5

13 October - November 2017 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica UTech, Jamaica Updates CDB on Trinityville Area Disaster Risk Management Project T he 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 Tourism Management (SHTM) and Mrs. Vanetta Skeete, Senior Lecturer, COBAM. The University of Technology, Jamaica through its Faculty of The Built Environment (FOBE) recently hosted representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Barbados, during the filming of a documentary on the Trinityville Area Integrated Land Management Disaster Risk Reduction Project (TAILMDRRP) in which the Faculty is participating and for which the bank is providing funding. The TAILMDRRP which includes a disaster risk management public education and awareness component is being implemented by the Trinityville Area Development Committee Benevolent Society (TADCBS)and it is being financed by the Community Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (CDRRF). A joint partnership with residents of Trinityville, St. Thomas, CDRRF, the University of Technology, Jamaica, TAILMDRRP and the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), St. Thomas Branch resulted in the design and construction of a 3D Model for Disaster Risks. The 3D Model Project is expected to benefit residents in the St. Thomas community through the identification of disaster risks and this should help to reduce loss of crops and livestock and damage to homes, such as the damage caused by flood rains. The model will fill information and knowledge gaps related to disaster risks in Trinityville. Former Head of the Caribbean School of Architecture, FOBE, Architect Dr. Patricia Green noted that “The CDB through the CDRRF considers the 3D Physical and Virtual Model components undertaken by the Faculty of The Built Environment as relevant to TAILMDRRP since the FOBE used information provided by the residents on community disaster risks, and it also demonstrated a successful partnership.” Twelve students from FOBE are participating in the project. The students along with their lecturers have visited the twelve communities of Trinityville in St. Thomas and they along with a group of residents have subsequently used the information gathered to build the 3D models which have since been handed over to the TAILMDRRP. Madison Powell, CSA Year 4 student shows skills on one of her own 3D models that she transferred to the community for the Trinityville Area Integrated Land Management Disaster Reduction Project. Architect Dr. Patricia Green, (4th left) former Head, Caribbean School of Architecture (CSA), UTech, Jamaica gives an update on the Trinityville Area Integrated Land Management Disaster Reduction Project (TAILMDRRP) on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the UTech, Jamaica Papine campus. Looking on (from left) are Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, Mr Collin Cunningham, Communications Officer, Caribbean Development Bank, Barbados and Eicy Babb, 4th year student, CSA.