UTech, Jamaica 2016-17 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 Page 75 Excellence Through Knowledge Mechanical Workshop The School has provided plasma cutting and 3D printing services to a few industrial companies within the past year. However, there is still more work to be done on the infrastructure of the workshop to expand the offering of these services. SPECIAL PROJECTS & TRAINING Nine professional courses were offered for the period providing training for 186 persons and generating income of J$12.4 million. This income represents a 38% increase over 2015-2016. Courses offered included Water & Wastewater Operators, Energy Efficiency Audit, Basic & Advanced Standby Generator Maintenance, Introduction 1 & 2 to Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Electrical Licensing, Programmable Logic Controllers and the Kimroy Bailey Robotics & Energy Summer camp. A student from Electrical Licensing Course challenged and passed the National Electrical Licensing Exam. Components of the Energy Audit course was offered through the university’s online MOODLE system and two students from the Engineering Master’s programme were able to complete aspects of their studies in this course. Income generated from chemical testing consultancies and the rental of the facilities to the Electoral Office of Jamaica for the Local and General Elections realised J$1.2 million giving a total income of J$13.5 million for the period. From the earnings of the unit the Faculty was able to purchase equipment for the Programmable Logic controller’s lab and offices, sponsor an external student for the Basic Standby Generator course, provide a partial scholarship for an engineering student and partially sponsor 8 students from the Facility Management’s Department for the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Levels 1 & 2. The total spend for these amounted to J$2.6 million. LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES AND COLLABORATIONS Promotion of Capacity and Energy Education Development in the Caribbean Region (PROCEED-CARIBBEAN) The 42-month included training of trainers on energy modelling, energy access, financial and administrative management and curriculum development through interactive workshops and training, networking and cooperation amongst partner institutions and relevant stakeholders. Activities included workshops and training events in each Caribbean partner institution and short/ medium term study visits by Caribbean staff/ PhD students to University of Turku and Tampere University of Technology in Finland. The project ended in November 2016. Professional Engineers Registration Board (PERB) The School of Engineering hosted the Professional Engineers Registration Board (PERB) at a workshop entitled: “Getting There – The Path to Becoming a Professional Engineer” held June 16, 2016. Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) UTech, Jamaica through the School of Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PCJ. The MOU will see the PCJ providing support for applied energy related research to the tune of $1,000,000.00 annually and the awarding of two scholarships to students in the MSc Renewable Energy Engineering programme for the next 4 years ($4,000,000.00). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on March 15, 2017 at the offices of the PCJ by the Minister of Science Energy and Technology, Dr Andrew Wheatley. The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology in association with the PCJ and UTech, Jamaica