Seven programmes accredited at UTech
THE UNIVERSITY of Technology (UTech) on Friday undertook a handover ceremony to mark the granting of accreditation for seven programmes of study at the institution by the University Council of Jamaica.
At the ceremony, which was held at UTech’s new Shared Facilities Complex on the Papine campus, President Professor Stephen Vasciannie handed over certificates of accreditation to the deans of four faculties or colleges.
The dean of the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, Dr Rohan Lewis, received certificates for three programmes within his faculty, namely, the Bachelor of Education with specialisations in business and computer studies and industrial technology, the Bachelor of Arts in communication arts and technology, and the Master of Education in educational leadership and management.
The dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment, Dr Garfield Young, took certificates for the Master of Architecture and the Bachelor of Arts in architectural studies, while the dean of the College of Health Sciences accepted the certificate of accreditation for the Bachelor of Science in child and adolescent development.
LAW FACULTY
Vasciannie also presented the certification for the Faculty of Law’s LLB programme to Dean of Law Alfred McPherson. In respect of law, the president noted that now that the law programme has been accredited, the minister of education has
embarked upon an effort to ensure equitable treatment for UTech law graduates who seek access to the legal profession.
“This is a good first step, but we must continue the fight to ensure fairness,” Vasciannie stated.
He also noted that UTech was in the midst of an effort to gain institutional accreditation, which would put “the stamp of quality” on the range of courses offered.
“Accreditation benefits the students of the university most of all. We shall redouble our efforts to achieve institutional accreditation for the university’s benefit and for that of the wider society,” he concluded.