UTech, Jamaica 2015-16 Annual Report

held on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Technology Innovation Centre at UTech, Jamaica. Student boarding applications There was a 52% increase in the total number of boarding applications received compared to the same period in the last academic year. Facilities Upgrading Budget constraints have severely impacted maintenance of the Halls of Residence. A decision was taken to close the facility for summer 2016, in order to effect the necessary maintenance of the facilities. The University has plans for the construction of additional student housing to meet the increased demand from undergraduate and graduate students. Career and Placement Unit Students Support Services and Programmes Career and Job Placement Fair 2016 “Advanc- ing into the world of work” The Unit’s annual Career and Job Placement Fair was held on March 18, 2016 at the Papine Campus; 314 final year students registered to participate representing a 21.5% decrease in attendance compared to 2015. A total of 71 companies participated, down by16% from last year’s 85 participating companies. The Unit received sponsorship from 21 companies, with the main sponsor being the National Commercial Bank (NCB). Dress for Success and Fit to Recruit provided business attire for 50 students. National Commercial Bank Branch Manager, Mr. Dave Wilson and Prof. Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Ja with the male students who benefitted from “Fit to Recruit” UTech Mentorship Programme “Build Character, Build Network, Grow Professionally” The 2015/2016 Mentorship Programme commenced with the staging of its 7 th annual Mentor Workshop on September 9, 2015 under the theme: “Build Character, Build Network, Grow Professionally”. A total of 40 persons being members of the UTech, Jamaica staff, Alumni and corporate representatives were present. This represented a 25% increase over the previous year’s attendance. There were 125 Mentors and an equal number of mentees. Orientation Exhibition The annual new students’ orientation was held from August 16 - 20, 2015 with 31 companies, seven faculties/colleges and ten clubs participating. Gift items were received from seven companies (Peaks Bottling, Ab-Tad Jewellers, Allied Insurance, Purity Bakery, Old MacDonald, Seprod, and World Brands). National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Sagicor were the major sponsors. Projected income from sponsorship was $867,000. Employment Empowerment Session Fourteen Employment Empowerment sessions were conducted at the Papine campus. Approximately 170 students attended each session. The sessions focused University Registrar, Dr. Elaine Wallace presents Archibald Battics, Faculty of Science and Sport (FOSS) with his Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics. Page 23 University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016