Voices Magazine Vol2 Issue 5-6

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | October - December 2018 24 T he University of Technology, Jamaica through its UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre for Research and Sustainable Development hosted an inaugural conference and exhibition on the theme, “Advocating Food Security, Good Nutrition and poverty Eradication Through Education,” in observance of World Food Day and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty from October 16 - 17, 2018 at the Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus. Following the opening ceremony on October 16, five fruit tree seedlings were planted on the Papine Campus in observance of World Food Day - Ackee, Breadfruit, Lychee, Jackfruit and a Miracle tree. The seedlings were planted in the vicinity of the Shared Facilities Building and across from the historic Ruins of the Silos. Keynote speaker The Honourable Audley Shaw, CD, MP, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries recommended that the planting of food trees become a part of the Jamaican culture and a way of life. He encouraged all Jamaicans to plant a tree each year commemorating his/ her birthday, emphasising that planting a tree can go a far way to solve our hunger and poverty problems. The UNESCO-UNEVOC conference was organised by a planning committee with membership from the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, College of Health Sciences, the Faculty of The Built Environment led by Chairman, Dr. Everton Lewis. Five Fruit Trees Planted at UTech, Jamaica in observance of World Food Day The Honourable Audley Shaw, CD, MP, (left), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries presents a fruit tree seedling to( from left) Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, University of Technology, Jamaica,, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies (FELS) students David Dennis and Natasha Stewart and Lecturer, Dr. Audrey DaCosta. The plant seedlings were presented at the opening ceremony of the inaugural UTech, Jamaica UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre for Research and Sustainable Development Conference and Exhibition on October 16, 2018 at Lecture Theatre 50, Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus. At left, The Honourable Audley Shaw, CD, MP, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries plants an ackee tree seedling. Looking on (l –r) Mr. Courtney Cole, Chief Technical Director, Special Projects, MICAF, Dr. Ronald Blake, Executive Director, Jamaica 4H Clubs, Mr. Reginald Budhan, Chairman Tree Crop Project Management Committee, MICAF, Dr. Gillian Smith, Resident Representative, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. At right, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, UTech, Jamaica plants a jackfruit seedling while the group looks on.