UTech, Jamaica 2016-17 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 Page 14 Excellence Through Knowledge paper-based administration of the evaluations. The paper-based evaluation will continue until the University is able to provide stable Internet access and motivate students to complete the activity online. y y The Curriculum Unit of the OCDE continued to offer workshops in the areas of Syllabus Writing and Testing and Assessment. The Unit also collaborated with other Academic Units and the Students’ Affairs Unit to facilitate workshops on Academic Advisement. y y UTech, Ja’s Co-operative Education (Co-op Ed) programme has consistently contributed to UTech Ja’s renown as an institution that produces “work-ready” graduates. It continues to evolve and is being used increasingly by industry partners as a means of identifying the best talents for longer-term engagements. During the 2016-2017 academic year over 600 students successfully completed the programme. Expanded access through Prior Learning Assessment as an alternative matriculation route y y The Unit reviewed thirty applications from May to August 2016; a total of 12 of the applicants became registered students for AY 2016/17. y y The Academic Board approved the Prior Learning Assessment Policy for Matriculation into Taught Programmes and the Revised Transfer and Exemption Policy at its meeting held on December 2, 2016. y y The Unit also engaged in several promotional exercises: presentations were made to adult groups at six Parents’ Forums held at secondary schools within the corporate area and Clarendon; PLA booths were also mounted at the UTech Open House events. y y Training was provided for 19 Graduate Programme Directors in portfolio assessment for graduate matriculation and a pilot assessment exercise was conducted. Office of Distance Learning (ODL) During the academic year 2016-17, the ODL sought to consolidate the distance learning initiatives of the University, with greater focus on internal collaboration to accelerate the development of general education/service modules, to increase the range and type of online user support services, to develop quality manuals and toolkits for standardisation of various online-distance learning processes, and to lobby for increased technological and human resources capacities to support these efforts. There were also external linkages for institutional strengthening and increased visibility. Key milestones Planning, Development & Technology y y The UTechOnline Learning Management System was upgraded to MOODLE version 3.1 by the Learning Technology Support Unit in January Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan Associate Vice President ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DIVISION Cont’d.