UTech, Jamaica’s Research Technology and Innovation Day returns in April

After a four-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Technology, Jamaica is set to host its annual Research Technology and Innovation Day (RTID) on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at its Papine Campus. The event which is being spearheaded by the School of Graduate Studies Research and Entrepreneurship under the theme, “Innovate. Create. Transform,” will commence with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. inside Lecture Theatre 50, Shared Facilities Building.

UTech Jamaica’s Research Technology and Innovation Day 2025 will showcase cutting-edge research and innovations in STEM and other disciplines presented by staff and students across the university’s eight academic units.  This all-day exhibition will feature a wide range of multidisciplinary initiatives, innovations and presentations that reaffirm the University of Technology, Jamaica’s commitment to its mission: “To positively impact Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and elsewhere through high-quality learning opportunities, research and value-added solutions to government, industry, and communities.”

Professor Norman Munroe, Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department, Florida International University (FIU).

Professor Norman Munroe, a Fulbright Scholar and renowned expert in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Florida International University (FIU)will deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony. He will share insights from his research journey at FIU, highlighting key strategies for driving research innovation, increasing output, and fostering collaboration within the academic community. Professor Munroe has served as department Chairman, Associate Dean, and Director of several Centers at FIU.  He is the recipient of the FIU Excellence in Teaching, Florida State Teaching Incentive Program award, the 2016 Educator award and the IAAM Medal for notable and outstanding research in Advanced Materials Science & Technology. His research focuses on renewable energy, corrosion, and biomaterials and he has published two hundred (220) peer-reviewed journal articles, proceedings, presentations and book chapters.

Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica stated that “the 2025 renewal of UTech, Jamaica’s Research, Technology and Innovation Day is a long-awaited event that reaffirms the institution’s position as Jamaica’s premier public STEM university with our commitment to nation building through research and innovative solutions.”  The President further noted that “with our current RESET transformation strategy to become more Research-driven, Entrepreneurial, Student-centred, and creating Expanded-access and more Technology-focused initiatives, this event will provide a preview of impactful research and innovations at UTech, Jamaica and the critical role that we continue to play in sustainable development.”

Dr. Paul Ivey, Associate Professor and Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, also emphasized the significance of the event as a platform for celebrating UTech, Jamaica’s role in advancing knowledge and technology that drives positive change in society. He notes that “During its 67 years of existence, the university, through purpose-driven, relevant, and impactful research, examples of which will be showcased on Research, Technology and Innovation Day, has contributed to advancing Jamaica's national development goals.”

The 2025 staging of UTech, Jamaica’s Research Technology and Innovation Day is also expected to unlock greater potential for future partnerships between industry and academia in Jamaica.

- END -

Contact:

Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)

Corporate Communications Manager

Corporate Communications Unit

Advancement Division

University of Technology, Jamaica

Tel: (876) 970- 5299| Cell: (876) 818-5893

Email:  mbeckford@utech.edu.jm