UTech Annual Report 2018-19

Accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 University of Technology, Jamaica 91 the Alumni, while receiving their monetary, advocacy and volunteerism support. To Connect Alumni to the University During the period, the reach and engagement between the University and its Alumni and pre- Alumni student constituents, was expanded through a variety of social media and in-person interactions. Across social media profiles, LinkedIn continued to attract the largest following with over 22K followers. The Facebook Alumni Relations UTech, Jamaica account experienced the largest growth rate of 28%. • Over seventy (70) alumni attended the Alumni Meeting with the University Council of Jamaica’s (UCJ) Institutional Accreditation Team, to show strong support for the University’s application for Institutional Accreditation. The meeting was held April 2018. • Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, hosted a Town Hall Meeting with our Alumni Community, in October 2018, where he provided an update on the University’s achievements to date. This event featured an online component for the first time and allowed for participation in the Q &A segment by persons offsite locally and internationally. • Nineteen (19) alumni were recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Award, in celebration of UTech, Jamaica’s 60th Anniversary. The awards were presented in three categories: Service to the University, Service to Country, and Service to the University and to Country. The awards were presented on the occasion of the Presentation of the Chancellor’s Medal and the Outstanding Alumni Awards, March 2018. • Dr. Winsome Christie, Pharmacy Alumna received the Distinguished Past Student’s Award 2018. The award was presented at the 48th Annual University Awards Ceremony, May 2018. • Alumni were offered a variety of personal and professional development opportunities through which to connect to the University: • Alumni contributed over JAD $370,000 through donations to support student scholarships, Student Services and Alumni engagement activities. The major donor was UTech, Jamaica Foundation, which donated an industrial washing machine to the Trelawney Infirmary, through the College of Oral Health Sciences. The donation was valued at $266,895.68 To Connect Alumni to Each Other Alumni engagement with their fellow alumni colleagues was facilitated as follows: y Social media was used to share updates and encourage dialogue within the Alumni Community on University, Alumni and National and International news items. y Personalized networking introductions between Alumni were facilitated to support job hunting and business development goals. To Connect Alumni to the Student Body • The Alumni Relations Office collaborated with the Student Services to manage the University’s Mentoring Programme through recruitment of new and returning mentors. Ninety-four (94) mentors served in AY 2018/2019. The Mentor Cohort represents professionals from the public, private and non-government sectors. The majority of UTech, Jamaica mentors are Alumni. • Networked alumni with students and provided professional development support. Centre for the Arts The Centre for the Arts continues to carry out its mandate of providing education in the visual and performing arts, and facilitating cultural training and professional development through elective and performing societies. The Centre continued to supports the cultural needs of the University and wider populace through the staging of outreach activities such as, cultural productions, presentations and consultation,