3 April – June 2022 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica The Honourable Audley Shaw (centre), Minister of Transport and Mining joins Professor Colin Gyles (left), Acting President, University of Technology, Jamaica, and Professor Clive Roberts, Head, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, as they display copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two Universities to collaborate on research, training and technology innovation in support of efforts to rehabilitate and revitalise the railway industry in Jamaica. The MoU was signed at the opening ceremony of a two-day Symposium on Railway Engineering hosted by both Universities at the UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus April 13 - 14, 2022. University of Technology, Jamaica in collaboration with University of Birmingham, UK, hosted a symposium on Railway Engineering, on April 13 -14, 2022 at the University’s Papine Campus, bringing together experts in the engineering field to discuss the future of rail in Jamaica, and to explore opportunities for collaboration in research, training and capacity building in the railway industry. Local, regional and international experts, and representatives of the Jamaican Government, explored topics including technological developments and future railway capabilities, the national transportation network agenda, future solutions for Jamaican railways and the institutional approach to research, training and development of industry engineering talent in Jamaica. The Universities also formalised their collaboration on research, training and innovation in support of revitalising the Jamaican railway industry through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Symposium’s opening ceremony. The Honourable Audley Shaw, Minister of Transport and Mining, pointing to the Government’s plan for a tourism line from Montego Bay to the Appleton Estate, the Honourable Minister gave his commitment that the revitalisation of the railroad will be actualised. He congratulated the University of Technology, Jamaica for being a catalyst in the revitalisation of rail, and praised the Institution’s collaboration with the University of Birmingham in support of this endeavour. Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica, in his welcome at the opening ceremony, noted that the symposium marks “a significant moment in Jamaica’s national development with respect to advancement in modern railway engineering technology and progress in expansion of transportation.” He underscored that the University of Technology, Jamaica is proud to be a part of the partnership that will “positively impact capacity building in support of research, knowledge transfer and competency in modern railway technology.” Professor Gyles, in expressing gratitude to partners University of Birmingham, outlined that the “win-win” partnership would redound to the benefit of students by providing opportunities for hands-on and practical training in railway and rail innovation, and as a Cont’d on page 4 UTech, Jamaica and University of Birmingham Sign MoU to Collaborate on Jamaican Railway Rehabilitation
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