Voices Magazine-Issue

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | February 2018 4 F ormer Prime Minister of Jamaica The Most Honourable Edward Seaga, ON, PC, has been reappointed as Chancellor of the University of Technology, Jamaica for an additional period of three years with effect from November 7, 2017. The Chancellor was reappointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the University Council. The Most Hon. Edward Seaga is the University’s second Chancellor having succeeded Lord William Morris of Handsworth, OJ who demitted office on November 6, 2010. The Chancellor is the head of the University. His duties include presiding over at least one meeting of the Council annually and the conferring of degrees, diplomas, certificates, other academic distinctions and awards. T he University of Technology, Jamaica has been given approval by Cabinet for the establishment of a law school. The announcement was made by Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, CD, JP, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, keynote speaker at a special ceremony for the official opening of the new Shared Facilities Building on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the University’s Papine Campus. Expanding Law Education Addressing the issue of parity regarding the entry of University of Technology, Jamaica students into the Norman Manley Law School, the Minister said that the establishment of a law school at UTech, Jamaica is part of the Government’s position of expanding opportunities for education and training of the workforce. He noted further that the Norman Manley Law School has been unable to accommodate all the students who have been pursuing law degrees. President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, in welcoming the announcement said that “the new law school will allow graduates of the Faculty of Law to proceed with their lifelong dream of becoming Attorneys-at-Law” adding that, “it is something that I have pushed for quite some time.” The Most Hon. Edward Seaga Reappointed Chancellor Cabinet Announces Approval for Establishment of Law School Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid speaking at the opening of the Shared Facilities Building at the University of Technology, Jamaica Papine Campus on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Most Hon. Edward Seaga, ON, PC Chancellor T he Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teaching and learning infrastructure at the University of Technology, Jamaica was significantly enhanced with the official commissioning of three new computer laboratories at the new Sheared Facilities Building at commissioning ceremony held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Lab 47B1, Shared Facilities Building. The three new state-of-the art computer labs comprise 96 computers in total with each lab having two dedicated networked printers. The three new labs bring the capacity of computer labs across the University to a total of 34. In addition to supporting face-to-face teaching and learning, the new computer resources will enhance capacity for distance learning across all UTech, Jamaica campuses. The labs are managed by the technical team in SCIT. New Computer Labs at Shared Facilities Building Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, cuts the ribbon at Lab 47B1 symbolising the official commissioning of the three new computer laboratories at the Shared Facilities Building at the official Commissioning Ceremony held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. President Vasciannie is flanked by Prof. Colin Gyles (2nd left), Deputy President, Mrs. Mercedes Deane (left), University Registrar and Deans, Prof. Nilza Aples (3rd left), Faculty of Engineering and Computing, (back row, from left), Dr. Kamilah Hylton, Faculty of Science and Sport, Dr. Garfield Young, Faculty of The Built Environment and Dr. Rohan Lewis, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, and Mrs. Genefa Hibbert (2nd row, left), Chief Operations and Projects Officer (Acting).