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Students’ Union

In addition to forty hours of mandatory community

service provided by all UTech, Jamaica students in their

first year, the Students’ Union is responsible for two

of the major annual community service events on the

University calendar – Tag Drive, and the “Teach the

Youth” Summer Programme.

The theme for Teach the Youth 2014 was “Seize

Your Dreams – Wake the Hero Within”. A total of six

centres were operated in the communities of Sandy

Park, August Town, Tavern, Kintyre, Highlight View and

Mountain View. The programme was well-supported

by student volunteers from UTech, Jamaica as well as

from the National Youth Service. The Students’ Union

received a plaque from Member of Parliament, Mr

Andre Hylton in recognition of work that has been done

for at risk youth in these communities each year.

The main focus of the Teach the Youth Summer

programme was to improve the numeracy and

language skills of children between the ages of 5-16

years old, in addition to which the children were treated

to motivational workshops, empowerment workshops

and conflict resolution workshops. Self-respect and

respect for others were the guiding principles of the

programme.

Tag Drive

Tag Drive 2014 undertaken by the Students’ Union

raised $600,00. These funds were split amongst three

beneficiaries - The Jamaica Foundation for Mental

Retardation, The Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica

and the Jamaica Society for the Blind.

Hope Experimental School

The International students have become increasingly

involved over the last three years with the Hope

Experimental School where they have been painting a

mural depicting various themes of the Caribbean. In

2014 they completed a mural depicting ‘Animals of

the Caribbean’, complementing their 2012 and 2013

works, ‘Symbols of the Caribbean’ and ‘Flags of the

Caribbean’, respectively.

Division of Student Services

Reddi’s Children Home

As part of the Division’s Annual Community Service

Project, the wards of Reddi’s Children’s home were

taken on a field trip to National Heroes’ Park. There

were fifteen children, two care givers and the manager

of the home in attendance. Five members of staff

from the Division of Student Services, and one ancillary

support staff became the “Aunties and Uncle” for the

tour with the children.

Department of Student Services - Counselling Unit

Carols in the Park, 2014

The year 2014 marked the eighth (8th) staging of the

“Annual Carols in the Park”. The theme was “Peace,

Unity, Love, Respect and Safety in our Communities

(P.U.R.L.S)” The event attracted 150 participants from

primary and high schools in Kingston and St Andrew as

well as from neighbouring communities.

The Victoria Mutual Building Society, UTech,

Jamaica Branch, has provided annual sponsorship of

refreshments to the participants. Other partners in

2014 were United Theological College of the West

Indies, Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI

/ HEART-NTA).

Energy Monitoring, Community Service and Internship

The student energy education initiative through the

Energy Monitoring and Auditing Team (EMAT) has

succeeded in engaging volunteers to champion

the cause of energy efficiency and environmental

stewardship on campus and in the community. This

group participated in a day of activities on the grounds

of the Shady Grove Basic School which included energy

talks and activities geared to create awareness to

Students perform at Carols in the Park concert.

Page 77

University of Technology, Jamaica

• ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015