Voices Magazine Vol3 Issue 5

17 May – August 2020 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica M r. Nigel Cooper, Head, Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL) in the College of Business and Management (COBAM) presented the findings of the recently concluded Technology Innovation Centre Student Survey in Innovation and Commercialization on August 7, 2020 in an online presentation. The presentation focused on key insights that were brought to light by the survey and detailed students’ perception of innovation and commercialization at the University of Technology, Jamaica. A product of a partnership between UTech, Jamaica and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) to build the capacity of the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) as a university business incubator, the survey marked the first step in realizing goals outlined in a strategic plan formulated by the TIC. Mr Cooper explained that university business incubators are a fundamental tool in encouraging and harnessing innovation, and function as centres for creating, nurturing and providing the necessary support services for entrepreneurs and young businesses to grow and succeed. The survey was conducted through questionnaires comprising 31 questions, which were approved by the DBJ and vetted by Professor Girjanauth Boodraj, Professor of Economics and Chair of the COBAM Research Committee and Mrs. Vanetta Skeete, Associate Dean, COBAM. It sought to determine the experience of students at the University in creating and commercializing their innovations, as well as to solicit perceptions of the services at the TIC. Over 1100 questionnaires were completed with the highest respondents being undergraduate students from the Schools of Business Administration and Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Business and Management and the Schools of Engineering and Computing and Information Technology in Faculty of Engineering and Computing. Mr. Cooper concluded that the data showed that there was great potential to develop and commercialize innovation at UTech, Jamaica, but more work was needed to realize this potential. He pointed out that students had requested more workshops and greater opportunities to be exposed to business processes and policies, specifically the Intellectual Property Policy of UTech, Jamaica. He noted that the JDSEEL was in discussion to address some of these deficits, with suggestions ranging from offering more business and entrepreneurship electives to offering a cross-programme minor in innovation and entrepreneurship. The services of the Technology Innovation Centre also need to be highlighted as a key partner in fostering and commercializing innovation at the University, a step Mr Cooper indicated was now being undertaken with the assistance of the DBJ. TIC Student Survey Reveals Great Potential for Innovation at UTech, Jamaica