Voices Magazine

5 August 2018 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica T he School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies on May 3, 2018 opened the 4th annual Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) Final Year Student Exhibition under the theme “Streaming Imagination – Advancing a Legacy of Expression.” The impressive showcase of students’ final media projects included publications, radio and television documentaries, digital animation, website designs and media campaigns. The Exhibition was mounted at both the Papine and Western Campuses. In his welcome at the Opening Ceremony Dr. Rohan Lewis, Dean, of the faculty noted the significance of the exhibition being opened on World Press Freedom Day. He also pointed to Jamaica’s recent rise by two places to 6th on the 2018 World Press Freedom Index. This is the highest ranking for a Caribbean country since 2002 when the Index was introduced. Keynote speaker was Her Excellency Laurie Peters, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica. In her wide-ranging remarks she shared on her personal career experiences in media. The High Commissioner encouraged the large student gathering of budding media practitioners with advice she referenced as “Laurieisms.” She urged students to speak to what they know, have something to write about, explore rather than just explain, know their audience; be good to the “little” people and to speak from the heart. The opening ceremony included an impressive show reel montage of the students’ media projects. A panel discussion focusing on press freedom was also held on Thursday, May 4, 2018. The panellists were Ms. Naomi Francis, Press Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Marcia Forbes, Executive Chairperson, Phase Three Productions Limited and Dr. Deborah Hickling Gordon, Visiting Fellow, Creative Economy, Development, UWI. 4 th Annual Communication Students’ Final Year Exhibition High Commissioner, Her Excellency Laurie Peters interacts with BACAT 3rd year student Miseanie Falconer about her publication which was on display at the exhibition. Looking on from left, are Dr. Gareth Phillips, Vice Dean, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies (FELS) and Dr. Rohan Lewis, Dean, FELS. A thrilled High Commissioner, Her Excellency Laurie Peters is gifted with the book, “The Making of a University: From CAST to UTech” written by Dr. the Hon. Alfred Sangster, OJ, being presented by Mrs. Mercedes Deane, University Registrar in appreciation following the High Commissioner’s address. At right the High Commissioner happily accepts a photograph featuring the Jamaican Hummingbird done by BACAT final year student Shorn Hector, presented by Chevauni Blair, BCAT final year student.