UTech, Ja Annual Report 2017-18

University of Technology, Jamaica “Pioneering Past; Bright Future ” ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 5 PRESIDENT’S OVERVIEW Over the past year or so there have been various developments at the University of Technology Jamaica which are highlighted in this report. The University has sought to build on its record from the past and to introduce changes that will enhance our capacity to tackle the challenges of the future. The university is funded in large part by the Government of Jamaica, but the greater share of the university’s income is from student fees. The university is, of course, always mindful that it must — as far as possible — satisfy both student needs and national objectives. Accreditation Throughout this past year we have worked to address the requirements for Institutional Accreditation by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ). We have received programme accreditation for every programme which has been considered by the University Council of Jamaica in the last year. This, we believe, is a mark of quality. By the same token, the Faculty of the Built Environment takes pride in the accreditation of our architecture programme by the Commonwealth Architects Accreditation body in 2017, while the College of Business and Management received special exemptions for the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) Examinations, thanks to the quality of our accounting programmes. Only one other institution in the Caribbean has received the level of exemptions in the ACCA garnered by UTech, Ja. Teaching One of the main ways in which we satisfy student needs and national objectives is through the fulfilment of our teaching function. The university, in the minds of many onlookers, is primarily a place for the instruction of students in practical areas of learning. In carrying out this function the university is minded to build on its reputation for producing “work-ready” graduates. On the positive side, this reputation helps UTech students to garner employment in a variety of areas shortly after graduation. To a significant extent, this reputation for work readiness is built on the practical orientation and quality of the teaching on offer at the university’s campuses in Kingston (Papine, Arthur Wint Drive, Braemar Road) and Montego Bay (Dome Street and Barnett Street). The university is committed to retaining quality teachers, and we pay considerable attention to students’ assessment of teaching in carrying out our mission. Research Universities, properly so-called, live and die on the basis of research. And with this in mind UTech, Ja has sought to enhance its research output and publications. Over the past year, a number of initiatives have been introduced to enhance our research agenda. To begin with, the university has established the University of Technology, Jamaica Press, designed to provide opportunities for UTech lecturers and President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD