Pioneering Past and Bright of Impactful Research and Scholarly Achievements

“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 6 FOREWORD The University of Technology, Jamaica this year marks the 60th anniversary of the institutionwhich started in1958 as the Jamaica Instituteof Technology. A year later the name was changed to the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST). In 1995, when the institutionwas officially granted university status by an Act of Parliament, research output was immediately elevated as an important pillar in the core mission of the University. This mission is “to stimulate positive change in Caribbean society through the provision of high quality learning and research opportunities and service to our communities.” The University of Technology, Jamaica remains committed to this three- prongedmission of teaching, research and service to significantly impact Jamaica’s growth and development goals. As we seek to strengthen our capacity for the dissemination and creation of new knowledge in a global, knowledge-based economy, increased output of research and publications among members of faculty and staff is an imperative. This publication titled “A Pioneering Past and a Bright Future of Impactful Research and Scholarly Achievements”, contains selected pieces of research that have been conducted by members of faculty, staff and students from our three colleges and five faculties, that have had particular impact on society. It consists of 74 pieces of research work inclusive of peer-reviewed research papers and projects, a book summary and conference presentations that add to the stock of knowledge on important areas of local and regional development. These include areas such as sustainable energy, business, tourism and hospitality, non-communicable diseases and food consumption, oral and public health, pharmacology and pharmaceutics, land management, urban development and the environment, cannabis research and legislation, ICT applications and issues in education and teaching. The interdisciplinary collection offer’s a bird’s eye view of UTech, Jamaica’s expertise at work. It is our hope that it will provide a useful reference tool for researchers and members of the public in general. We invite members of government, industry and academia to continue to partner with the University of Technology, Jamaica in the journey of advancing discovery and the sharing of new knowledge for the benefit of society. Prof. StephenVasciannie, CD President