Voices Magazine-Vol4-Issue

3 January – April 2021 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica Dr. Adella Campbell, Head, Caribbean School of Nursing in her remarks, had high praises for the students whose performance she noted “has exceeded expectation”. Dr. Campbell revealed that the School has achieved the most students on the Dean’s list, with sixty students earning a cumulative GPA of 3.45; an achievement, she noted, made more remarkable since students faced the obstacles of financial, familial, professional and personal challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the previous institutional arrangement, the University began to electronically receive examination results directly from the CXC for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) for the processing of applications of prospective students who indicate their permission. This assisted UTech, Jamaica to begin to incorporate digital technology into its Admissions and Enrolment Management processes. Welcoming the renewed institutional agreement, Professor Gyles noted that the renewed Memorandum of Understanding “will further advance efficiency in processing admissions applications to UTech, Jamaica and will benefit prospective students by improving the University’s timeliness of responses to their applications. Additionally, it will see UTech, Jamaica recognizing and establishing articulation paths for students with the CXC Associate Degree.” The scope of the renewed MOU which is administered at the University by the Office of International and Institutional Linkages will facilitate further cooperation between UTech, Jamaica and the CXC for collaboration on activities of mutual interest, including curriculum and assessment development and processing, training, research and other possible areas of technical collaboration. Under the MOU, CXC will be provided with access to UTech, Jamaica faculty who will serve as resource persons in developing and revising CXC syllabuses and as Moderators and Examining Committee members. Faculty will also contribute to the development of learning support resources to assist with the delivery of syllabuses. UTech, Jamaica faculty will also contribute to the formation of CXC’s Research Advisory Group which will embark on research including, but not limited to, the digital transformation of the education system. Additionally, the MOU will allow for collaboration on teacher development to advance teaching, learning and assessment in the Caribbean. It will ensure UTech, Jamaica’s recognition of the CXC Associate Degree (CXC®-AD) qualification and the sharing of examination results for the purpose of matriculation as authorised by candidates. Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, expressed his delight at the stellar achievement of over four hundred nursing and midwifery students who earned their stripes, noting that he was encouraged “that our students have put in the hard work to maintain and achieve excellence, notwithstanding the extra challenges and upheavals resulting from these unprecedented times.” The Acting President urged students to continue to strive for excellence, noting that the advent of the COVID-19 vaccinations brightened the outlook for the future, and expressed his pride and admiration for students who had weathered the storm to continue their studies and achieve their aspirations. Professor Gyles also had high praises for the leadership and staff of the College of Health Sciences, commending the team for their “innovation and creativity” in recognizing student achievements, and their “resilience and commitment” in ensuring excellence at the highest level. Keynote speaker was the Most Hon. Mrs. Juliet Holness, Deputy Speaker of the House and Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew. Cont’d from page 1... UTech, Jamaica and CXC Renew Partnership Cont’d from page 1... CSON Celebrates Dr. Adella Campbell, Head, Caribbean School of Nursing affixes a stripe to Nursing Student Trisha Goodlitt at a pre-ceremony presentation of stripes and special awards at the University’s Western Campus on February 18, 2021. Dr. Adella Campbell, Head, Caribbean School of Nursing, presents Mrs. Juliet Holness, Deputy Speaker of the House and Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew, with a token of appreciation following her keynote address at the virtual presentation of the 10th Annual Striping Ceremony, held on February 26, 2021, via Zoom. Dr. Adella Campbell, Head, Caribbean School of Nursing, presents Mrs. Juliet Holness, Deputy Speaker of the House and Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew, with a token of appreciation following her keynote address at the virtual presentation of the 10th Annual Striping Ceremony, held on February 26, 2021, via Zoom.