UTech, Ja Annual Report 2017-18

University of Technology, Jamaica “Pioneering Past; Bright Future ” ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 31 and Tobago, senior academic and administrative staff, and 20 final-year international students. The guest speaker was Mr. Dave Cameron, President, West Indies Cricket. Professional Services Special Needs The University of Technology, Jamaica continues to provide support and increased access for students with special needs, through academic accommodations and infrastructural changes. Approximately 120 students from the various colleges/faculties indicated to the university that they had special needs/ disability. This reflected 20% decrease when compared to the similar period last year. The University of Technology, Jamaica welcomed its second deaf student, Ms. Celine Lobban, a past student of the Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf. She was accepted into the Faculty of Engineering and Computing to complete a four year degree in Bachelor of Science In Computing. Academic Accommodation A total of 103 academic accommodation requests were made for 275 modules for final examinations during the period under review. This reflects a 25% increase when compared to the similar period last year. Approximately 85% of these students were facilitated for academic accommodation for in-course test. This reflects a 26 % increase when compared to the similar period. COUNSELLING SERVICES Career Sessions and Resume Reviews The Career and Placement Unit recorded 253 office visits by students who needed career assistance for the period. Based on the daily log, the general reasons for visit were to seek job placement (summer, part-time, full-time, voluntary and internship), to gather information on work and travel companies and to have their resume/cover letter reviewed. This showed a 40% decrease in visits of students to the office when compared to last year’s 419 visits. The Counselling Unit held 1,076 sessions for the period April 2017 to March 2018. Throughout the period, the Counselling Unit provided support to members of the UTech, Ja community and families who suffered the loss of fellow colleagues. Student Advising Sessions On October 20 th , the Counselling Unit held the first of two Student Advising Sessions (SAS) for Staff. A Final-year International students pose for a picture with the President, Deputy President University Registrar, Deans and other University administrators at the Registrar’s Dinner for final year students.