UTech, Jamaica 2016-17 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 Page 121 Excellence Through Knowledge choir, drummers, dancers, singers, actors, musicians) at major UTech functions. Outreach activities to the wider community include cultural productions, presentations and consultation, , workshops, an annual literary festival and tours of the Caribbean Sculpture Park. The Sculpture Park, in which the Centre sits, is an open-air museum created to symbolise the relationship between art and technology in the heart of university. Visual and Performing Arts Programmes The Centre for the Arts had 304 students enrolled, which is a decrease from the 2015/2016 period. The number of elective students however increased from 109 to123 over the same period. These students did elective courses in dance, drama, music and two-dimensional drawing. The Centre for the Arts continues to enrich the university community with performances from the various groups as part of its obligation to the university community as well as for the students’ academic assessment within the disciplines. The Centre aims to enhance the level of professionalism of the performing societies and the students are benefiting from more training by various subject experts. The students performed at over ten university events, including the Long Service awards, Graduation 2016, the installation of the new President, Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, the installation of the Pro-Chancellor and the Annual UTech Track and Field Classics. Music Founder and Artistic Director of Nexus Performing Arts Company, Mr. Hugh Douse has been selected as the Director for the UTech Choir. Mr. Douse has an extensive background in the performing arts and brings a wealth of knowledge on Jamaican cultural heritage to the Centre. Imperial Highness (HIH) Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie visit to UTech CFA participated in the UTech, Jamaica’s Welcome of His Imperial Highness (HIH) Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie to its Papine Campus on 21 April 2016. The visit was part of the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the State Visit of his grandfather, the late Emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Haile Selassie I, to Jamaica. CFA was host venue for the presentation ceremony to the prince, where the Drumming Ensemble delivered a Nyabinghi medley performance. Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport- World Heritage Day The University partnered with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport for celebrations in observance of World Heritage Day on 18 April 2016 under the theme “The Heritage of Sport.” The Ministry unveiled the Gateway Sign in Papine directing people to the Blue and John Crow Mountains World Heritage Site, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 3, 2015 and is the only mixed World Heritage Site in the Caribbean region. UTech’s Drumming Ensemble provided the entertainment and CFA staff provided ushering, branding and logistics support for the unveiling. Digital Technology meets Arts and Culture Summer Programme The Centre for the Arts launched a summer programme focusing one CFA’s mandate to show the fusion of technology and the arts. The programme offered application development, dance, drama, music and art with an emphasis on teaching students about Jamaican heritage and culture. The summer programme culminated in a dramatic presentation entitled, “Technology vs Arts” which