UTech, Jamaica 2015-16 Annual Report

The University of Technology, Jamaica has a special place in the development of our country. This university has graduated h u n d r e d s of our finest citizens. UTech’s graduates are highly regarded and sought after locally, regionally and internationally; our students must continue to be the centre of the university’s thrust. I salute UTech on the following important initiatives. • The University of Technology, Jamaica in partnership with Ganja Labs, LLC, USA on November 10, 2015 officially broke ground on a site at the Papine campus for a state-of-the-art Medical Marijuana Research Grow and Extraction facility. • In June 2015, UTech, Jamaica received the QuantaCann2 cannabis testing and analysis machine, the only one of its kind in Jamaica, to advance research on the medicinal use of cannabis. • On October 14, 2015 the College of Health Sciences researchers received funding of $14.6 M from the National Health Fund to conduct the First National Food Consumption Study to assist in solving some of the health issues affecting Jamaicans. • The University, in partnership with Nestlé Jamaica Limited and the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), on July 21, 2015 launched a national “Healthy Eating in Jamaica” campaign to empower Jamaicans to make more informed and healthier decisions about food intake by being able to distinguish foods that are healthy, from those with less nutritional value. • The University was awarded a contract by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Bank to undertake a feasibility study for the establishment of a Caribbean Regional Procurement Training Centre at its Papine campus. • On March 14, 2016 UTech, Jamaica, through its Faculty of Engineering and Computing launched a Waste Management Centre to support training and research in wastewater treatment for Jamaica and the Caribbean region. • Ongoing research is being conducted by the School of Engineering research team on the use of hydrogen gas as a possible replacement for LPG in domestic cooking. UTech, Jamaica must be situated as the premier hub of science and technology in Jamaica, the Caribbean, South, North and Latin America. I look forward to the University of Technology, Jamaica being the next University to have full institutional accreditation. The work of the staff at all levels is a major foundation of this institution. It will take the best effort of all involved to ensure that this university maintains its commitment to world-class service. I believe UTech’s best days are ahead. Senator The Hon. Ruel Reid, CD, JP Page 5 University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 Page 5 Message from the Minister of Education, Youth and Information