Voices Magazine-Issue

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | February 2018 28 T he University of Technology, Jamaica through its Office of Distance Learning (ODL)) held its inaugural symposium themed, Leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) for Higher Education, on November 24, 2017, Papine Campus. The symposium’s speakers addressed the topic: How Technology (ICT) is Reshaping the Future of Higher Education. Associate Vice President, Office of Distance Learning, Chair Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan, in her welcome explained that the annual symposium is geared towards redesigning higher education opportunities through ‘technology mediated tools and systems primarily through online blended learning,’ so that it facilitates accessibility for everyone. She disclosed that there will be workshops, forums and projects throughout the academic year aimed at increasing sensitivity to the needs of all stakeholders including the disabled community. Deputy President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Professor Colin Gyles, in his greetings, shared that UTech, Ja. recognized the need for ensuring that people with disabilities are able to access education freely and that the effective way is by ICT. Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC), CEO, Mrs. Maxine Henry- Wilson, shared that in the post-industrial revolution era the majority of jobs and professions as we now know them will become obsolete in a few years as technology improves. She explained that robotics will replace some of our jobs as we move closer towards the 21st century and that technology will make a decisive impact on how we live, how we earn and how we learn. Keynote presenter, UNESCOAdvisor for Communication & Information, Mrs. Isabel Viera Bermudez, shared that in 2016, the United Nations identified 17 sustainable development goals which will be guiding global financial development agenda after 2030. This goal made consistent reference to the need to harness the potential of communication technology. UTech, Jamaica Symposium Examines Impact of Technology in Shaping Higher Education From left: President, Caribbean Deaf Ministries, Mr. Andy Svoboda; UTech, Ja. Student Representative, Ms Amakeda Wallen; Information and Training Officer, Jamaica Society for the Blind, Mrs. Kamika Braithwaite and Dean, College of Business and Management, Professor Paul Golding during a panel discussion on Accessibility for All at the symposium held at the Lecture Theatre 4, Faculty of The Built Environment on Friday, November 24, 2017. UNESCO Advisor for Communication and Information, keynote speaker, Mrs. Isabel Viera Bermudez, addressing the audience about the sustainable development goals which will be guiding global financial development agenda after 2030. Panel Discussion on Accessibility for All