Voices Magazine Vol3 Issue 2

15 August - September 2019 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica T he Faculty of Science and Sport kicked off its 10th anniversary celebrations on a high note at a special opening ceremony held on September 12, 2019 on the grounds of the Faculty located at 235 Old Hope Road. The anniversary launch day also included a Campus Parade which preceded the opening ceremony, the reopening of Phoenix Park and culminated with an invitational football match. The opening ceremony marked the beginning of a series of activities being held under the 10th anniversary theme “Intensifying the Momentum into the Next Decade.” In his welcome, University President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie gave hearty congratulations to FOSS as a “trailblazer” with a decade of stellar achievements. The President noted that the establishment of the Faculty of Science and Sport (formerly the Department of Science and Mathematics) on August 1, 2009, “marked an important national stride in augmenting Mathematics and Science teaching education and for safeguarding the sustenance of a world-class Jamaican sports programme that is underspend by the application of science and research.” Founding Dean of FOSS, Professor Colin Gyles, now Deputy President and current Dean, Dr. Kamilah Hylton took the audience of students, members of faculty, staff and guests through the history, growth and achievements of the Faculty. Professor Gyles, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Faculty, thanked the then members of staff and other members of the University who led the determined, lobby efforts that ensured the establishment of the Faculty in 2009. In this respect, Professor Gyles noted that FOSS had been established on an ethos of problem-solving and congeniality. Dr. Hylton who assumed the role of Dean in 2015 has continued to guide the development of FOSS from strength to strength, overseeing the accreditation of several courses of study, including the BSc in Science and Education and the MSc in Mathematics Teaching. In her presentation, the Dean highlighted some of the Faculty’s many accomplishments, including the successful graduation of 640 students in the past decade; garnering the most RDF (Research Development Fund) grants in the 2018/19 Academic Year, and publishing of the first peer- reviewed article in sports. Dr Hylton also noted the Faculty’s thrust to excite and educate the younger generation in Mathematics and Science, with the establishment of the annual Mathematics Quiz Competition. Also addressing the ceremony were Mr Dave Wilson, Branch Manager, Matilda’s Corner NCB, whose company has come on board as new sponsors of the Faculty’s Phoenix Park – a green space for students established in 2017. Speaking on behalf of the student body were UTech, Jamaica Students’ Union President Mr. Kahlil Hutchinson and Acting FOSS Student Representative Mr. Anjue Woolery. FOSS Celebrates 10 Years (L-R) Cutting the symbolic ribbon to reopen Phoenix Park at the Faculty of Science and Sport (FOSS) are Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President, Dr. Kamilah Hylton, Dean and Associate Professor, Mr. Dave Wilson, Branch Manager, NCB, Matilda’s Corner, Kahlil Hutchinson, President, UTech, Jamaica Students’ Union and Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President. Re-Opening of Phoenix Park