I am pleased to welcome you to UTech Virtual Learning (UVL), the University of Technology’s conceptual framework for online distance learning.  We here at UTech are very pleased with the accomplishments of this pilot venture and are delighted that you are joining the first virtual classroom at the University.

Operating under the aegis of the Caribbean School of Architecture and conceptualised by the University’s Multimedia Centre, UVL is a pilot programme which demonstrates one direction in the University’s plans for distance and continuing education.  Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is the fact that the content expertise  has come through the international collaboration of the course leader, Dr. Jacob Voorthuis in the Netherlands whose enthusiasm and vision have made the dream a reality. Ms. Nadine Isaacs, Head of the Caribbean School of Architecture in Jamaica has been the project manager with the UTech Multimedia Centre providing multimedia and online learning development expertise, under the leadership of Ms. Vilma Gregory. The project was financed by the European Union.  This international cooperative venture has produced a high quality course whose results, we anticipate, will be of the highest order.

Over the past five years the University has articulated its intention to use distance and continuing education to extend its reach and improve student access to the University.  In addition to the UVL initiative, UTech is currently in the process of initiating online linkages with community colleges offering its programmes under franchise arrangements as a means of linking those students who are enrolled in UTech courses away from the main campus with the library and other learning resources available at UTech. This online linkage is also in its pilot phase, but we anticipate its growing to include additional colleges after the pilot phase is concluded.

As the only technical university in the English-speaking Caribbean, UTech accepts the responsibility to extend its reach beyond Jamaica.   The UVL therefore represents the University’s new focus on teaching and learning using technology-based approaches.  As such, we see the potential for open & distance learning not only to increase access, but also as a cost effective teaching/learning educational delivery mechanism.

Therefore, we welcome you to this exciting initiative and wish you every success in participating in an online learning adventure.

George A. Roper

Vice President, Academic Affairs