BRIDGETOWN – The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has big plans for its future, including continued developments that stakeholders believe could position the institution with other globally renowned tertiary tech giants.

Only 19 percent of Jamaicans aged 19 to 24 are currently enrolled in tertiary institutions, and only 15 percent of the workforce have a tertiary education. However, after a recently completed expansion and enhancement project financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), enrollment at UTech increased. The project has cemented hopes that the college can be a springboard to drive education, training and certification to increase productivity and prosperity in Jamaica, particularly by adding to the number of Jamaicans entering the workforce in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The UTech Enhancement Project commenced in 2007 when the Government of Jamaica signed a loan agreement with CDB for a loan of US26 million (mn) to fund the development project at the University. The Government undertook this investment as a grant to UTech, Jamaica to which the University provided counterpart funding of US17 mn. The project proceeded under three main components of institutional strengthening, building and civil works, and furniture, fixtures and equipment.The shared facilities building, constructed as part of the intervention, is a learning and teaching space for all colleges and faculties, and comprises 20 SMART classrooms, three state-of-the-art lecture theatres, computer laboratories, sanitary amenities and an amphitheatre.(CDB)…[+]