Voices Magazine Vol3 Issue 5

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | May – August 2020 12 T he University of Technology, Jamaica, on June 4, 2020, received a donation of nine laptops from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in response to the needs of students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, who have difficulties participating in online learning. Mr. Leighton McKnight, Territory Leader, PwC, in making the donation, indicated that his organization has an established partnership with the University, noting “UTech, Jamaica students are critical to our continued business, so we will do whatever we can do to assist.” He also indicated that PwC would be exploring other options of offering assistance to students affected by the current crisis. Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, who received the donation, expressed his gratitude, noting that a laptop is a critical tool in engaging in online learning, and would make a significant difference for many students in need. He indicated that the University continues to seek to strengthen online teaching and learning platforms and welcomed the opportunity for UTech, Jamaica to extend the mutually beneficial partnership with PwC. The laptops were distributed to students through the University’s welfare and scholarship offices, based on the application of appropriate criteria and identification of the greatest need. Donation of Laptops from PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica receives a donation of laptops from Mr. Leighton McKnight, Territory Leader, PricewaterhouseCooper on Thursday, June 4, 2020 in the President’s Conference Room, UTech, Ja. Papine Campus. R esponding to a request from the Caribbean School of Nursing for support for students in need, the Most Honourable Juliet Holness led - Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation on May 19, 2020 made a donation of 53 care packages for midwifery and nursing students at the University’s Papine Campus. The donation came in light of challenges students of the University have faced in relation to the COVID-19 crisis. The care packages consisted of food items donated by Rainforest Foods, personal care and sanitation items and ground provisions, which Mrs. Holness explained were donated by farmers who have made several contributions to the efforts of the Foundation she leads. Students of the CSON, Western Campus also received care packages. Sharing the reason she was moved to make the donation to tertiary students, Mrs. Holness explained that “our normal activity focuses on youth, children in particular, but with the advent of this particular pandemic, our team at the Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation saw it fit to use some of our resources to reach out to those who are in need outside of our regular cohort of little boys and girls.” Mrs. Holness called on the students who had benefitted from the donation to also give back in meaningful ways to their own communities and to the nation. Professor Colin Gyles said that the gesture was most appreciated, especially as it was directed to those who are in training to take up positions in the health care sector. Ashleigh Mitchell, 3rd Year Midwifery student, CSON expressed profound gratitude on behalf of her fellow students. Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation Makes Donation to Students in Need Ashleigh Mitchell (right), 3rd Year Midwifery student, CSON, accepts a package from the Most Honourable Mrs. Juliet Holness, founder of Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation, during a presentation of care packages to nursing and midwifery students in need. The presentation was held at the University’s Papine Campus on May 19, 2020. Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, looks on.