Voices Magazine-Vol2-Issue-1-WEB

7 April 2018 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica Cont’d from page 6 ... Research, Technology and Innovation Day Speakers’ Forum A research speakers forum ran concurrently from 12 noon to 5:00pm during which UTech, Jamaica faculty, staff and student researchers engaged audiences on the value of their work in addressing real issues facing Jamaica and the Caribbean region. Using GIS to Predict Bush Fires: Graduate students from the Faculty of The Built Environment Raylon Ricketts (left) and Maurice Wallace presented their research on, “Predicting the Occurrence of Bushfires using Geospatial Multi-Criteria Analysis: A Case Study of Kingston and St. Andrew. 2007 – 2016.” The researchers explained that the Multi-Criteria Analysis Approach (MCA) along with Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to create vulnerability maps indicating the degree of bushfire risks for communities in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA). The technology is already being utilised by the MET Office to assist in bushfire control planning in the KSA. The research was supervised by Mr. Laurence Neufville, Head, School of Building and Land Management. Gang Violence and National Security: Mr. Henry Lewis, Lecturer, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies makes his presentation on “Gang Violence and National Security in Jamaica; Implications for Achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” He presented data on understanding how gang violence poses a threat to national security and argued that improvement in national security and conditions of peace in Jamaica is a critical element in the realization of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. STEM Education in Teaching and Learning: Mr. Dwaine Hibbert, Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering and Computing presented his research project on “Promoting STEM Education: A Case Study on the Challenges and Opportunities in Integrating Desktop CNC Technology in Grades 7 – 9.” the project is geared towards providing a better understanding of how Computer Numerical Control (CNC) can enhance modern product design and manufacturing. Computer-based Health and Sports Informatics: Miss Susan Muir, Lecturer, School of Computing and Information Technology shared her presentation titled, “Towards impactful computer-based health and sports informatics interdisciplinary research projects for consultancy, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.” Miss Muir put forward a proposal for relevant research and development in health and sports informatics through the use of computer-based tools to build a research database that can drive improvements in health and sports performance. Ecotourism for National Development: Dr. Gaunette Sinclair-Maragh, Head, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management delivered a presentation titled, “The Dynamics of Ecotourism in Protected Areas.” She examined the role of ecotourism in contributing to environmental sustainability and economic development in protected areas, while cautioning that ecotourism can cause environmental ills not only to the ecology but also to the surrounding communities. She cited several examples, among them, the threat of degradation caused by over-visitation, pollution of water sources and landslides, hunting and fishing and spread of litter at recreation sites. Amending the Roads Act to Protect Citizens: Mr. Rohan Barrett, Lecturer, Faculty of Law spoke on “Liability for Poor Road Conditions: Governments Immunity.” Mr. Barrett discussed the old tort doctrine of “non-feasance” and considered the responsibility of Government for injury or loss arising out of a failure to repair roads and highways. The current law essentially protects the state with immunity from liability. Mr Barrett called for an amendment to the Main Roads Act.