PLANTATION – A philanthropic group of alumni from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) formerly the College of Arts Science and Technology, CAST, will host its inaugural annual fund raising event on Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 at a residence in Plantation, Florida at 7:00 pm. The Champagne Reception, promises to be a stellar event and will mark the official launch of the CAST/UTech Alumni – Florida Chapter.
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) was established in 1958, originally as the Jamaica Institute of Technology and had a name change in 1959 to the College of Arts Science and Technology (CAST). The institution was formally accorded University status on September 1, 1995 under the name the University of Technology, Jamaica. UTech has grown to become a major national institution with a student population of approximately 10,500 and offers more than 50 programmes at certificate, diploma and degree levels.
UTech is well know for its practical approach to training and is highly respected for its work-ready graduates. The 51-year old institution offers courses in six faculties: The Building Environment, Business and Management, Engineering and Computing, Education and Liberal Studies, Health and Applied Science and Law. As Jamaica’s first national university, it is committed to supporting national development and continuously seeks to provide the relevant training to meet the local and regional labour market.
The University is responsible for the training of a vast majority of the country’s pharmacists and medical technologists, as well as a significant number of other professionals in the building environment, engineering and business in Jamaica and the region.
With a remarkable track record in sports, UTech is now dubbed the Home of World Class Athletes. Its athletes excel locally and internationally in a variety of sports over the years.
At the recently concluded 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, 12 UTech based athletes were on the Jamaica team winning 8 (73%) of Jamaica’s 11 medals. The UTech delegation brought home 5 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal.
Given the urgent need for training and development in Jamaica, UTech is aggressively expanding its offerings. Following on the launch of, the Faculty of Law in January 2009, this dynamic Institution is also seeking to expand the current Faculty of Health and Applied Science into a full College of Health Science with schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Dentistry, the Health Professions and the Sports Sciences that will offer first class training in all the disciplines of sports management and physical education.
Funding from the Jamaican Government for higher education is dwindling and the institution now faces many challenges to execute its many imperatives. In this regard, support from generous stakeholders like the alumni in Florida is highly regarded by the University. This is a means of not only giving back to an alma mater but an opportunity to invest in the development of Jamaica.
Alumni and Friends are welcome to share in the fun-filled evening at the Champagne Reception, May 2, 2009.
