VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | September – December 2021 8 BSc. in Mines and Quarry Management Launched University of Technology, Jamaica through its Faculty of The Built Environment (FOBE) on September 17, 2021 launched the new Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Mines and Quarry Management. Development of the degree which was supported through grant funding under the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of StatesEuropean Union (EU) Development Minerals Programme was hosted virtually by Dean, FOBE, Dr. Garfield Young. The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reports that the capacity-building initiative aims to build the profile and improve the management of development minerals, including industrial and construction materials, and dimension and semi-precious stones. It is an initiative of the ACP Group of States, financed by the EU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by UNDP. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague said that the degree programme represents another milestone in the continued advancement of the country’s mining and minerals sector through the provision of tertiary-level training and certification of personnel. He noted that “mineral extraction and mineral development require, among other prerequisites, trained and qualified personnel to ensure efficiency, environmental compatibility, safety and profitability,” adding that “it is the Government’s intention to lift the human resource standard within the mining sector through establishment of a Mining Management Institute that will provide training and certification of all workers.” Minister Montague expressed confidence that UTech, Jamaica’s curriculum for the BSc. in Mines and Quarry Management would cover knowledge and skills needed in such important areas as proper record-keeping; health and safety rules and systems; equipment selection and maintenance; resource evaluation; land rehabilitation and reclamation and energy efficiency. Noting that mining is a substantial part of the country’s economy, he said that the vast majority of materials needed to create the physical infrastructure, including the buildings, roads, and bridges, are provided by the sector. Dr. Haldane Johnson, Acting Deputy President in his greetings underscored the University’s commitment to teaching, learning and research and the connection to the relevance in meeting the needs of society. Dr. Laurence Neufville, Associate Professor and Programme Lead for the BSc. Mines & Quarry Management brought greetings and indicated the significance of the programme and the collaborative efforts among the key partner agencies. Other speakers on the launch programme included Denise Antonio, UNDP Resident Representative, Senor Escipion J. Oliveira Gomez, Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Structural Economic Transformation and Trade, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Aniceto Rodriques Ruiz - Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation, Professor Daniel Franks, Program Lead, Development Program, Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, Australia and Dr. Anetheo Jackson, Head, School of Building and Land Management, FOBE who brought the closing remarks and vote of thanks. She specially thanked Professor Franks for his support and expressed gratitude to all members of the team who helped to develop the course of study, giving special mention to Dr. Garfield Young, Dr. Haldane Johnson, Dr. Laurence Neufville and Mr. Ricardio Madden for their efforts in the fruition of degree programme. Dr. Garfield Young, Dean, Faculty of The Built Environment The Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Innovation Institute (CSEII), UTech, Jamaica partnered with the Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) Group to provide skills training through a short programme titled “Introduction to Electromechanical Systems” over a period of five weeks from October 5 to November 4, 2021, as part of the execution of a project by the JEP Group and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The JEP Group and USAID project, the Casual Employment and Skills Training Programme, seeks to prevent crime involvement, reduce unemployment, poverty and the contributory factors to maladaptive behaviours among youths. Twenty young men between ages 18-24 years were selected from the Tivoli Gardens and Downtown Central Communities. The project featured three components; apprenticeship, skills training and behavioural modification. During the apprenticeship period of the project, an assessment of the participants’ strengths and areas of interest for training, certification and employability was completed. Mr. Dwaine Hibbert, Electrical Engineer and Lecturer in the School of Engineering, Electrical Programme was principal instructor on the programme. The delivery of this course was funded by the JEP through the USAID. CSEII and Jamaica Energy Partners Group Collaborate on Skills Training Programme A participant in the Casual Employment and Skills Training Programme demonstrates the use of the multimeter to Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, AVP, CSEII with guidance from lead instructor, Mr. Dwaine Hibbert, Lecturer, School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Computing
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