UTech, Jamaica Hosts Second Annual Microsoft Day, in Collaboration with Microsoft Inc.

Dr. Kevin Brown (2nd right), President, University of Technology, Jamaica shares a photo with (L-R) Mr. David White, Head, School of Computing and Information Technology(SCIT), Ms. Day Janey Pringle, student, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information System, SCIT, Dr. Peter Walker, Corporate Vice President, Industry Solutions Engineering, Microsoft, and Professor Sean Thorpe, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, UTech, Jamaica on day one of Microsoft Day held October 5 and 6 2023 at the at UTech, Jamaica, Papine Campus.

University of Technology, Jamaica, through its Faculty of Engineering and Computing, in collaboration with Microsoft Inc., hosted Microsoft Day 2023, October 5- 6, at the Shared Facilities Building, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus. Microsoft Day allowed students to learn how to build their careers in the ICT and computer engineering industry, learn more about new technological innovations and connect with professionals who are actively working in the field.

Dr. Brown in his welcome at the opening ceremony noted that, “this partnership with Microsoft is in alignment with UTech, Ja’s mission and commitment to play our role in contributing to national and regional development through high quality teaching and learning opportunities, research and value-added solutions to government, industry and communities.” Dr. Brown noted that, “as Jamaica pushes to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by advances in ICT that blur boundaries between the physical and digital worlds, we wholeheartedly welcome opportunities such as this Microsoft Day, to inform the way forward.

UTech, Jamaica alumnus, Dr. Peter Walker, Corporate Vice President, Industry Solutions Engineering, Microsoft, delivered the keynote presentation titled ‘Founder Mindset’ in which he highlighted the necessary steps and paradigm shift in mindset, needed to transition from an idea to a marketable product. Expressing, “you’ll never have a more exciting ride than when you take on the mindset of a founder, ” the Microsoft executive asserted that the notion of a founder’s mindset doesn’t matter whether you are starting your own company or joining an institution; the success and future of any organization rests with a genuine sense by each person that the future of the company lies in your hands.

Dr. Walker urged the audience of aspiring founders comprising UTech, Jamaica IT and engineering students and visiting high school students to, “dream big,” noting that companies “hire you to dream.” Dr, Walker opined that individuals who merely fulfill job responsibilities without the ability to imagine and innovate risk being replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Furthermore, he encouraged individuals to consider their own future and the future of their company by learning from past mistakes. Dr. Walker advised students to, “start young, fail quickly, start again” as failure presents an opportunity for learning, growth and improvement.

Dr. Walker went on to share aspects of his journey as a founder of the company 'SpawnLabs,' which was later acquired by GameStop, the world's largest retail gaming and trade-in destination for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo games, systems and accessories in 2011. He acknowledged that the journey to developing this company was not easy and faced numerous obstacles but he believes that as a founder, “when you run into a wall, you innovate.” In this regard he shared that in 2009, his team could not afford to buy tickets to the E3 Expo, a trade event for the video game industry to set up a booth but instead, they used an RV and invited executives from different gaming companies to explore what his company had to offer. “We signed deals like you could never imagine, ” he noted of the fruitful innovation led to the success of his company, 'SpawnLabs,' which was later acquired by GameStop, the world's largest retail gaming and trade-in destination for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo games, systems and accessories. Ending on a high note and a well received presentation, Dr. Walker expressed, “you’ll never have a more exciting ride than when you take on the mindset of a founder. It is absolutely exhilarating.”

The event hosted numerous presentations by Microsoft executives and provided the opportunity for students to participate in a “Hackathon Challenge” designed to showcase critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The Hackathon Competition was won by team 'Lectureletics’ with their innovation that helps students to get more out of their lectures by filling gaps such as a barrier to learning for the disabled community by providing audio and text transcription.

Eager participants engage with computers at the Gaming booth set up by SCIT students at Microsoft Day at the UTech, Jamaica’s Papine campus on October 5, 2023.