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Where do you want to take your future in this world? To the Caribbean to Study? … then welcome to the University of Technology, Jamaica.
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION The concept of the original College was outlined by the British Government Advisory panel on Technical Education in the late 1940’s. It was felt that the College should be comprehensive in nature providing training for students in Building, Commerce, Engineering, Laboratory Technology and specialist teaching areas. Courses should be full-time and part-time and all courses should be closely integrated with the practical industrial or commercial skills needed within society. The levels proposed were essentially those of the English Higher National programmes. With this philosophy outlined, the Jamaican Government, in March 1958, opened the Jamaica Institute of Technology on land and buildings (erected in 1912) vacated by the Jamaica School of Agriculture, then the Jamaica Farm School. Acting on the advice of Mr. J. C. Jones, advisor on technical education to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Ministry of Education changed the name of the College to the previous one – The College of Arts, Science and Technology – commonly known as CAST. The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), formerly the College of Arts, Science and Technology occupies approximately 18.2 hectares. It lies to the east of the Hope Botanical Gardens within the Papine-Liguanea commercial centres. The campus is served by several bus routes and is within walking distance of the Mona Campus of the regional University of the West Indies and the University Hospital. Students have easy access to a wealth of new experiences and entertainment activities. The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), provides a harmonious learning environment that is conducive to your academic needs. UTech is located in the suburbs of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, which is the heart of the country’s economic, cultural and political activities. The island of Jamaica, at 4,411 square miles, is the third largest island in the Caribbean. The island has a predominantly English background, which stems from its capture from Spaniards, by the British. Jamaica boasts a perennial tropical climate which makes it an ideal country anytime of the year. The history of the institution is intimately connected with the social and economic development of Jamaica. From just over 50 students and 4 programmes in 1958, the institution has grown to become a major national institution with a student population of over 7,000 and offers over 100 different programmes at Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels. International students from over 14 different nations make up approximately 2.4% of the student body and are given special welcome. ESTABLISHMENT College Scheme – The College was initially incorporated by the CAST Scheme in 1959 which was validated by Act of Parliament, March 13, 1964 (2nd March, 1964). The Scheme was revised in 1986 to enable the College to grant degrees (The Jamaica Gazette Supplement 128A Vol C1X, Friday, March 14, 1986 No 25A). Principal/President The first acting Principal was Mr. Alistair Thompson who was previously head of the Kingston Technical High School. After a few months he resigned and returned to the UK. Mr. F. W. Needham was asked to be Administrator pending the appointment and subsequent arrival in Jamaica, in October 1959, of Mr. Hugh Falkner, Principal of Croydon Technical College, as the first official Principal. Mr. Falkner served for two 3-year contractual terms and was succeeded by Mr. Cecil Wint, a Jamaican, in 1959. Mr. Wint was an Associate Professor of Engineering in the United States and more recently a Consulting Engineer in Jamaica. He resigned in 1969.Mr. B. E. Towlson, then Head of the Sciences Department and the most Senior Department Head in the College, acted as Principal until Dr. Alfred Sangster, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry - UWI – was appointed in September of the same year. Dr Sangster was succeeded by the current president Dr Rae A. Davis.With the revision of the College Scheme in 1986, the title of Principal was changed to President to bring it more in line with similar institutions in the Americas.THE GROWTH OF THE PHYSICAL PLANTThe College was initially financed largely by a British, CD & W. Grant. Subsequent expansion has taken place in stages through bi-lateral and multi-lateral aid projects as well as the ongoing support from the Government of Jamaica. Some of the major developments are listed below with completion dates:
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