UTech, Jamaica 2016-17 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 Page 9 Excellence Through Knowledge Council of Jamaica (UCJ) for institutional accreditation. This means that we are pursuing general accreditation across the board for all the courses of study, rather than the traditional course-by-course accreditation. Throughout the university all effort is being mobilized to pursue the goal. Among the many other items to be tackled there is one which I consider to be of the utmost importance to UTech, Ja’s long-term welfare and development. It is of particular interest, because of the facts and the effect of the scheme of arrangements on UTech, Ja. and hundreds of students, but also because of the principle involved, the principle of equity. The Law Issue In the 9 years of its existence, the UTech, Ja, Faculty of Law has produced outstanding graduates. Only a handful of them have been able to access the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) because of a system that gives only UWI law degree holders automatic passage to the legal training and certification which is in the sole province of NMLS. I have long been convinced that this system discriminates, not just against UTech, Jamaica students, but against all non-UWI law students, by giving automatic access to the Norman Manley Law School to UWI students, while all other students are obliged to take an entrance exam, for a very few assigned places. I will continue to advocate for changes to the regional pact (the 1971 Agreement Establishing the Council of Legal Education under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas) to allow more equitable access to legal education. This could include the creation of a new law school at UTech. Universities, especially in developing countries, must exist to advance the development of the individuals in the society. Many of us are first- generation university graduates. We cannot, having come through that door, turn around and look at the people coming up the ladder and say, ‘You cannot become a lawyer because there are too many lawyers’.” In this specific instance we are talking about legal education. As a general principle, I believe that in 2017 preferential systems are not justifiable. Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD (at podium) President, delivers his inaugural address to members of faculty and staff during a general staff meeting held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, UTech, Jamaica Papine campus on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Seated at the head table are Mr. Richard Powell, Pro-Chancellor, who introduced the President and Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar.