What role has played the University of Technology, Jamaica in promoting engineering and computing at the National and Regional level?
The creation of the University of Technology, Ja (UTech, Ja) was initiated in 1958, when the Institute of Technology was launched. The institute name was changed to the College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1959. In 1995 the College was upgraded to University of Technology, Jamaica first National University. The students’ population and programme offering growth sustainable as the University upgrade from an Institute with 50 students and four programmes to approximately 11,000 students and 99 undergraduates and graduate programmes delivery by five faculties and three colleges. Some of the programmes offers include engineering, computing and information technology, architecture, land survey, business, hospitality, education and liberal studies, nursing, pharmacy, actuarial science, sport science, dentistry and law to mention some of the areas.
Engineering and building were two of the four first programmes offered graduating the first engineering cohort in 1962.
The graduates from UTech have made a remarkable impact on national and regional development by joining the work force with the renown Utech attribute of “work ready graduate”. The links with the industry since inception provide the necessary avenue for UTech students to participate in real-life projects and contribute while in the University to solve many current engineering problems.
The feedback from the industry has made UTech graduates attractive to participate and join the corporate world not just in Jamaica but also international.
Can you share the Degree Programs offered by University of Technology, Jamaica and what are some of the salient ongoing research projects?
UTech offers in the field of Engineering, Computing, Built Environment and Land Management the following programmes:
UNDERGRADUATE
Bachelor of Engineering (4-year full-time) – Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (4-year full-time) – Chemical Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (4-year full-time) – Electrical & Computing Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (4-year full-time) – Industrial Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (4-year full-time) – Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time)– Computing
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Animation, production and development
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Networking & Security
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Information Systems
Diploma of Engineering (3-year full-time) – Electrical Engineering
Diploma of Engineering (3-year full-time) – Mechanical Engineering
Associate Degree (2 year full-time) – Computer Studies
Associate Degree (2-year full-time) – Surveying and Geographic Information Technology
Diploma (3-year full-time) – Construction Management
Diploma (3-year full-time) – Structural Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (4-year full-time) – Construction Engineering
Bachelor of Science (1-year full-time post Diploma) – Construction Management
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Quantity Surveying
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Land Surveying & Geographic Information Sciences
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Real Estate Management & Valuation
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Urban and Regional Planning
Bachelor of Science (4-year full-time) – Mines and Quarry Management
Bachelor of Arts (4-year full-time) – Architectural Studies
GRADUATE
Doctoral and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil./Ph.D.) in Information Systems
Doctoral and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil./Ph.D.) in Computer Science
MSc. in Information Systems Management
PGD in Information and Communication Technology
MSc in Engineering
Doctoral and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil./Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering
Doctoral and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil./Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering
Doctoral and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil./Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering
Master of Architecture (2-year full-time)
Master of Science (2-year full-time) – Built Environment (specialisation in Construction Management, Geomatics/Geoinformatics, Land Administration, Urban Design)
Master of Science (2-year full-time) – Sustainable Energy and Climate Change
Master of Science (2-year full-time) – Integrated Rural Development
Master of Philosophy / Doctor of Philosophy (4-year full-time) – Built Environment
During the last two years during the pandemic some of the projects have been supporting the health sector and in general aimed to solve current industry and societal needs. Considering the versatility of the programme offerings the research projects on which students are embarking poses a wide range of diversity. Some of the projects were born as students’ initiative to respond to national needs such as: Xermosol device that can be used to sanitize doors handles, this device project was supported by the commonwealth secretariat on 54 countries and currently has been housed as business incubator on UTech Innovation Centre.
Other of the projects was “IOT-based systems for temperature evaluation and screening tool” and “Virtual assistant for the visually impaired using real-time object detection: A Jamaican Case”.
On an important note, another major project ” Technology Acceptance of Mobile Health apps for patients with Non-Communicable Disease patients during the COVID-19 pandemic” won the best student oral presentation at the Ministry of Health and Wellness Conference in Jamaica.
Other projects currently undergoing final step to prototype are:
• Sanitation booth
• Air purification and Respirator device assistance in stage of modelling
• Beach cleanup robot
• Electric car
What challenges has University of Technology, Jamaica faced in light of the pandemic and how have you navigated the challenges?
The path of an engineer since centuries has been built to encounter challenges and to overcome them by finding solutions to complex problems. Solving the challenges that the pandemic creates on the mode of delivery of our courses was one of the major concerns for the Faculty of Engineering & Computing and to the University. The faculty strategy objectives included the increment of students’ enrollment by way of increasing online delivery, this task was prioritized. The face-to-face class was limited to only some courses that included laboratory practices, which because of the lack of virtual environment to achieve students’ learning outcomes was not available at the time or because practical skills were part of the outcomes.
High percent of the courses includes final exams, these were in most of the cases changed to alternative assessments to minimize students and staff physical interactions.
The training of staff and students in the use of online learning platforms has been a continuous exercise spearheaded by the University Office of Distance Learning. The pandemic has taught us to be more resilient in the planning of the programmes’ educational plans and how the engineering education landscape continue to develop by limited face to face, more student independent work and/or dynamic group work.
The industry relationship has been also kept during this period, by the offering of virtual internships from local and regional corporations. This has been an excellent initiative by the Jamaican private sector that understand that the foundation of UTech’ graduate profile is based on experiential learning in order to be an industry ready engineer.
The evaluation of the performance during the period has been conducted after each semester is completed and adjustment has been made to ensure the programme educational objectives have been fullfilled as projected.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your field and as a female dean? In what ways has your position as Dean of University of Technology, Jamaica paved ways for other female engineers?
After more than thirty years graduating with a chemical engineering degree as female I have had had the privileged to work as engineer in the industry for eleven years and as academic for more than twenty. The professional landscape is not designed for female engineers, in particular in the industrial environment, because of the physical aspect, working hours and environmental conditions. At a petroleum refinery where the majority of the workers are male, having a female was a challenge and I had to work hard to overcome the work assigned to me at beginning and use the opportunities presented to prove that I was as capable as my male colleagues to succeed. I did complete my doctoral studies while working in the industry full time and been on training to become the chief engineer.
The academy environment while is mild in comparison with the industrial setting is also not so friendly for the female professors aimed to lead in the organization. I believe that international organization in the professional world tend to support women easier. Looking at my trajectory as female engineer born and educated in a third world country, I always encourage many of my young engineering students to persevere. During my academy life I had contributed to graduate many female engineers and their success is part of my legacy as female professional to the world.
How would you characterize the current relations between University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica); Faculty of Engineering & Computing (FENC) and the Corporate and Industry world? What are some of the projects that you are implementing with local companies?
The educational programme that we offer at UTech Ja. is based on strong industrial linkages. The Faculty of Engineering & Computing has more than 30 signed Memorandum of Understanding with academic institutions, local and regional industries. Through these partnerships staff and students work in projects that respond to national and regional needs.
Currently some of the projects that we are implementing include the XERMOSAL, which was an invention by a computing majoring in Computing Rayvon Stewart, is currently being used in Jamaica to assist in the fight against Covid-19. It is a relatively simple device that exterminates harmful bacteria commonly found on doorknobs in Jamaica, by utilizing ultraviolet light. The invention was originally made to help stem the outbreak of the lethal Klebsiella bacteria in Jamaica but was later adopted to tackle the covid19 pandemic. The device fits onto existing doorknobs and is much simpler to install and use than other products offering similar functionality to disinfect doorknobs, and which require the installation of new door knobs. Testing in both lab and field conditions has shown that XERMOSAL efficiency is approximately 99.9% in killing deadly pathogens, including MRSA, E-coli, and influenza virus H1N1. The invention has been recognized by the Commonwealth Secretary General, the Pan-American Health Organization and JMMB Bank, and earned the young inventor several awards including the Jamaican Prime Ministers Youth Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, and the Commonwealth Health Innovation Award and UTech Business Model Competition.
A second example is the Coffee leaf rust drone detection project. Depletion in crop production owing to diseases have resulted in substantial financial loss in Jamaica’s coffee sector. Coffee plants are prone to diseases, the most prevalent of which is ‘Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR). Due to the wide landscape of thousands of individual plants, high acreage farms sometimes have difficulty finding CLR-affected coffee plants. If this disease is diagnosed after the initial stage of parthenogenesis, it is frequently beyond the point of recovery, resulting in significant losses. This research produced a prototype Coffee Leaf Rust Detection Using Drone Technology (CLRDD) system, meant to identify CLR in its early formative phases, allowing farmers to address the problem before it becomes a major issue. The prototype CLRDD system used a drone in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI) mapping to develop and train an AI model to detect the disease.
For the last three years we had also partner with a local industry to manufacture bio combustibles, this project will be launched soon and will provide the University community and the Jamaican economy strong benefits based on the projected financial estimates.
Can you share with us some of the approaches that University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica); Faculty of Engineering & Computing (FENC) is implementing to sustain growth and retain a constant engagement from its student body?
The approach taken by the Faculty of Engineering and Computing has been a close communication with prospective and current students. The University and, in particular, the Faculty of Engineering & Computing place students as priority and intentionally students’ bodies are included at the different levels of the management meetings. Students have representation at all levels of the University and faculty structures by way of the Students Union representatives are elected to Faculty Boards, Academic Board, Governance Committee and the University Council. Leadership and developmental programmes are part of student development.
The students’ advice unit is also designed to cater for students’ needs and to ensure timely appointment set up and feedback is provided. This area is constantly under scrutiny by the office of the Dean as a focus area.
During orientation and subsequently open forums during the first years of study, students are immersed in the campus life and the opportunities for learning that exist. We assist them in learning how to manage time and be able to grow in a balanced environment. The students also have opportunities to work in local and regional projects which enhance their academy and industrial experiences.
The faculty has state of art research labs that cater to the main areas of concern, in Computing and information Technology, the SAPNA lab and the Sagicor Lab are two main examples where students work in real life projects supported by the professors while upgrading their technical skills outside the classroom settings.
In the area of engineering, we had launched the waste management center equip with latest technology for wastewater and soil testing, essential oils extraction and materials and biomass testing while conducting very important research in support to local and international customers. Students are part also of these projects and the benefits is immeasurable during their formation years as engineer.
At University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica); Faculty of Engineering & Computing (FENC), what are some of the initiatives that you have undertaken to promote diversity in Engineering Education?
The University of Technology although is a national University continue to attract students for all over the Caribbean region to study engineering and computing. Because of the university’s recognizable “hands on” approach in teaching and the warm environment that the Jamaican cultural experience provides to the students, our university attracts student enrollment from many countries.
Several of the programmes that we offer provide opportunities to the students to travel on educational tourist trip and in other cases in language immersions. The explicit objectives behind of these experiences is to provide our graduate with the opportunity to experience and grow cognizant of other cultures and to learn how engineering practices are applied in other jurisdictions, providing students with an international view of the professional life. One example is the chemical engineering bilingual degree which for more than 15 years have been delivered in Spanish and English and the students immersed in Spanish at an accredited Hispanic institution in the Caribbean. The students have also the opportunity to complete their studies at other Universities in the second language. The feedback from our graduates is very encouraging and their explicit comments will pave the way to include the second language in other engineering programmes in the incoming future.
In your opinion, what are some of significant issues/topics that ought to be addressed by the global engineering community and particularly by Engineering Deans, to further strengthen inter-regional communication and continue to globalize this field of study?
Taking into account what the output of the engineering education should be, it has been recognized that the approaches differ since inception, when looking at the historical data when the engineer profession was born and started to develop across the globe. I believe it is time that we close the loop and harmonize the approaches in place of competition, the needs of engineers across the globe are recognized, therefore the increase on partnership and collaboration among all academy institutions is imperative. The Global Engineering Deans has been paying an important role in connecting these institutions through Deans memberships as well as other organizations in the United States and other jurisdictions. The needs for an intervention at the countries ministerial levels is also an imperative to provide financial support in the development and grow of the engineering profession internationally.
The world growth and suitability is placed on the hands of the engineer, we support nature, we preserve it, we provide the most significant innovations to human kind and we must persevere to continue to do so by supporting the professional grow and the international recognition of the role that engineers have played since earliest centuries on the preservation of the life on Earth.