5th Annual BACAT Final Year Student Exhibition

Photo: European Union Delegation

UTech, Jamaica leadership with partners from the diplomatic corps and industry pause from sharing pleasantries for a photograph before the start of the opening ceremony for the 5th annual Bachelor of Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) Final Year Student Exhibition on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the Shared Facilities Building, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus.

L-R: Dr. Gareth Philips, Vice Dean, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, (FELS), Dr. Rohan Lewis, Dean, FELS, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of Delegation of the European Union, Professor Anthony Clayton, Chairman, Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica who was keynote speaker and His Excellency Asif Ahmad, British High Commissioner to Jamaica.

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies hosted its 5th annual Bachelor of Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) Final Year Student Exhibition on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus and on Friday, May 3 at the Montego Bay Campus.  Under the theme, “Media Education and Democracy”, the annual exhibition coincided with the global celebration of World Press Freedom Day marked on May 3 which had as its theme, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in times of Disinformation.”

The exhibition of students’ projects comprised publications, radio and television documentaries, digital animation, website designs and media campaigns. The projects dealt with a variety of current social issues such as the medical and economic benefits of marijuana; the stigma faced by HIV infected persons; environmental pollution, among other issues.

Addressing the opening ceremony, University President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie congratulated the final year students of the programme on completing their final projects for the showcase.  The President also thanked “hard-working lecturers and administrators” who have been empowering students to take their place “as the next generation of journalists in the modern media landscape, anywhere in the world.” 

The President noted further that “the University of Technology, Jamaica is pleased to be playing our role in preparing our media and communication students with the tools, competencies and knowledge to promote democratic ideals such as the protection of human rights and justice, promoting tolerance among various social groups and ensuring that governments are transparent and accountable to citizens.”

Keynote Address

Keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, Professor Anthony Clayton, Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, spoke to strategic issues which he said Jamaica must contemplate as it builds out a fully digital economy and society. He argued that greater emphasis should be placed on enabling a more media and technology-literate society where citizens know how to maximise use of internet resources and where the private sector can transition to B2C e-commerce without the handicap of fraud, card-skimmers and other threats to security.

While commending media for strengths in being diverse, free and independent, Prof. Clayton cautioned that the lack of digital literacy is an impediment to Jamaica’s transition to a digital economy.  He pointed out that the training of individuals for patterns of work that will be rapidly disappearing will be problematic for Jamaica, as many current job functions are gradually being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). 

He called on universities to rethink curriculum offerings in areas such as the creative industries which are difficult to duplicate with AI.  “We will lose our competitive edge if we fail to keep abreast of these changes that are structuring the world economy,” he asserted.

Roberto Minott (right), budding guru photographer and final year University of Technology, Jamaica Bachelor of Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) student, presents a copy of one of his expert pieces to Professor Anthony Clayton (centre), Chairman, Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica following his keynote address at the Opening Ceremony. Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, UTech, Jamaica looks on.

Greetings were received from Mr. George Davis, President, Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) who shared aspects of the work of the PAJ. Ms Isabel Viera Bermudez, Advisor, Communication and Information, UNESCO also offered greetings and read the World Press Freedom Day message from the Director General, UNESCO.

Also addressing the opening ceremony was Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of Delegation of the European Union.  While congratulating Jamaica’s media on its high 6th place ranking on the World Press Freedom index, the Ambassador cautioned that press freedom should not be taken for granted.  She urged media students to do all they can to ensure that Jamaica continues to be an example for the world in this regard.

Dr. Rohan Lewis, Dean, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies in moving the Vote of Thanks expressed appreciation to all persons who contributed to a successful opening ceremony and exhibition. The Dean also expressed gratitude to the  three diplomatic missions represented by Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of Delegation of the European Union, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica and His Excellency Asif Ahmad, British High Commissioner to Jamaica for their collaboration on the event.

Members of the audience applaud during the show reel of the  BACAT final year students’ projects.

 Roundtable Discussion

His Excellency Asif Ahmad (at podium) British High Commissioner to Jamaica addresses the roundtable discussion on the topic “He says: she says – who speaks for Democracy?’ to mark World Press Freedom Day.  Participants in the round-table discussion L-R: Moderator, Mr. Damion Mitchell, Integration Editor, The Gleaner Company Media Limited, Mrs.  Rhoma Tomlinson-Whyte, Public Relations Director, Northern Caribbean University, Mr.  Arthur Hall, Editor-At-Large, Jamaica Observer, Mr. Brian Pitter, President, President, UTech, Jamaica Journalism student club and Mr. George Davis, President, Press Association of Jamaica.

A roundtable discussion on the topic, “He says: she says – who speaks for Democracy?’ convened jointly by the British and Canadian High Commissions in Jamaica, followed the opening ceremony.  The discussion was convened in the context of the role of media in promoting democracy through responsible journalism.  

The panel examined the implications of Jamaica’s ranking which moved from 6th to 8th place on the 2019 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.  The report which notes that Jamaica ranks amongst the countries in the world and the region that most respects freedom of information, raised concern with the recently drafted Data Protection Act which if passed could negatively affect journalism in Jamaica. 

Her Excellency Laurie Peters in her remarks thanked the University for including Canada in the discussion.  She underscored the importance of the discussion as an opportunity to reflect on the current situation and the support provided to journalists in their work and in “giving voice to democracy.”

In his remarks, His Excellency Asif Ahmad emphasized that press freedom that is not used to a country’s advantage is the equivalent of those who do not enjoy that freedom. “You can have freedom of the press but if you don’t exercise that freedom, you are just as much a prisoner as the country that does not have it,” the High Commissioner stated.

The roundtable discussion was moderated by Damion Mitchell, Integration Editor, the Gleaner Company Media Ltd., with media practitioners/educators Rhoma Tomlinson-Whyte, Assistant Professor, Media and Communication, Northern Caribbean University, George Davis, President, Press Association of Jamaica, Arthur Hall, Editor-at-large, Jamaica Observer and Brian Pitter, President, UTech, Jamaica Journalism student club who all elaborated on the theme from their perspectives.

Western Campus Exhibition

Ms. Marilyn Facey (left), Lecturer, BACAT, UTech, Jamaica presents a gift of appreciation to the Honourable Marlene Malahoo Forte, Attorney General following her keynote address at the 5th annual Bachelor of Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) Final Year Student Exhibition on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Western Campus, Montego Bay.

The BACAT Exhibition continued on Friday, May 3 at the UTech, Jamaica Montego Bay Campus.  Guest speaker was the Honourable Marlene Malahoo Forte, MP, QC, JP, Attorney General.

The Attorney General said Jamaica has a robust legislative framework in place to support press freedom through the constitutional right of freedom of expression and the right to seek, receive, distribute or disseminate information, opinions, and ideas through any media. “As a country, we have enacted access to information legislation and we also took the progressive step of decriminalising defamation. This framework empowers media practitioners to seek and share information and enables them to carry out their work without fear. This is something to celebrate,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Malahoo Forte noted, however, that with press freedom comes great responsibility, highlighting that there has been an increase in non-factual information on various media platforms. “Sadly, the various forms of media have led to an upsurge in fake news…where half-truths or whole lies are intentionally used to misinform and manipulate members of the public,” she lamented. 

In this regard, the Attorney General pointed out that messages that distort the truth could have disastrous effects on the integrity of the electoral process and deprive citizens of their right to free and fair elections.  She emphasised that preservation of press freedom does not depend solely on the laws in place, but also on the professional standards and ethics that media professionals must strive to maintain.

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion ensued with the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, who spoke on “Media and Elections,” Mr. Steffon Campbell, Lecturer and Coordinator, CARIMAC, UWI, Western Campus, who presented on “Media Education and Democracy,” and Mr. Brian Brown, CEO, LIVEWIREACT who addressed the issue “Journalism in Times of Disinformation.”

Ms. Marilyn Facey (left), Lecturer, BACAT, UTech, Jamaica presents gifts of appreciation to panellists (from top) Mr. Steffon Campbell, Lecturer and Coordinator, CARIMAC, UWI, Western Campus and Mr. Brian Brown, CEO, LIVEWIREACT.

Pictorial Highlights

Gifts of Appreciation

Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, UTech, Jamaica, presents gifts of appreciation to (from top) Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of Delegation, European Union to Jamaica, Ms Isabel Viera Bermudez, Advisor, Communication and Information, UNESCO, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica and His Excellency Asif Ahmad, British High Commissioner to Jamaica. Represented on the pieces is an abstract digital image of the BACAT logo done by Jamar Thelwell, Lecturer, BACAT.

President Vasciannie presents gifts of appreciation to (from top) Mr. George Davis, President, Press Association of Jamaica and Miss Dara Smith, Journalist who served as Master of Ceremonies at the opening ceremony.  The photograph which was presented to Miss Smith was done by final year BACAT student, Andrea John.

Scenes from Student Exhibition

Students from Montego Bay High school view exhibits from the final year BACAT Student Exhibition at the Western Campus on Friday, May 3, 2019. 

End. 

Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm