President Urges Newly Inducted Student Ambassadors to Spread “The Goodness” of UTech, Ja

Sharing a photo moment with 16 recently inducted UTech, Jamaica Student Ambassadors (from front row) are: Dr. Kevin Brown (right), President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Professor Shermaine Barrett (3^rd right) Deputy President (Acting), Miss Marion Brown (3^rd left) Vice President and University Registrar, and Ms. Lisamae Gordon (left in back row), Vice President and Legal and Compliance Officer. The students now make the sixth cohort of UTech, Jamaica Student Ambassadors following their official induction ceremony held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Lecture Theater 50, Shared Facilities Building, UTech, Ja, Papine Campus.

Sixteen newly inducted Student Ambassadors of the University of Technology, Jamaica are being urged to “spread the goodness of UTech, Ja” so that those outside of the institution will gain credible knowledge as to how the university has “transformed lives” over the past 65 years.

This charge came from University President, Dr. Kevin Brown during his welcome at the official induction ceremony for the sixth cohort of UTech, Ja Student Ambassadors on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, held at Lecture Theater 50, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus.The UTech, Jamaica Student Ambassador Programme, launched in 2019 is spearheaded by the Marketing Unit and seeks to identify suitable qualified students who exemplify the university’s Core Values through their active participation in academia, sports, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community development. The Ambassadors are selected from across the eight colleges and faculties and are also expected to act as a link between the university and other stakeholders, using their experiences to communicate the attributes of a UTech, Jamaica education.

Referring to viral social media content shared by some students containing disparaging comments about their university, Dr. Kevin Brown told the new inductees for the 2023/2024 academic year, “your job is to do the complete opposite.” Reminding the students that no institution exists without challenges, Dr. Brown stated, “you have to now look at the positives that you are gaining from UTech and go and sell that narrative.”

He further urged the new student ambassadors to “talk about the goodness of UTech” which he noted is the guarantee that “we are going to transform your life. We are going to give you a good degree and it is accredited…yes, the programmes are rigorous because we want you to succeed.” The President also congratulated the 16 Student Ambassadors and pledged “to working with all of you to make our UTech better.”

Denali McBayne presents a response on behalf of his fellow UTech, Ja Student Ambassadors during the induction ceremony on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 inside Lecture Theatre 50, Shared Facilities Building, University of Technology, Jamaica, Papine Campus.

Attesting to the life transformation process that is possible for UTech, Jamaica students, Denali McBayne, in presenting the response on behalf of his fellow student ambassadors, stated that “attending this institution has worked wonders for my self-confidence and has altered my outlook on social relationships. It taught me the importance of networking and forming lasting connections…I can say with full confidence that I will have a job as soon as I graduate.” He added that by “empowering youths to act as a beacon of light for the student population” and “a conduit of communication between student and staff”, the UTech, Jamaica Student Ambassador programme is playing a significant role in “preparing students to be ambitious and inspiring members of society.”

Professor Shermaine Barrett, Acting Deputy President, in her remarks reiterated the call for the group to focus on their vision. She encouraged the students to “join with those who are creating a change…being an ambassador doesn’t mean it’s going to be struggle-free. It is that you have taken a positive perspective.”

As part of the UTech, Student Ambassador Programme, the representatives are also set to benefit from professional and networking opportunities to complement their academic and social development.

UTech, Jamaica Student Ambassadors for 2023/24 Academic Year