UTech, Ja Annual Report 2017-18

University of Technology, Jamaica “Pioneering Past; Bright Future ” ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 62 SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, RESEARCH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Cont’d. CARIBBEAN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & INNOVATION INSTITUTE (CSEII) International Linkages and Collaborations The Caribbean Sustainable Energy & Innovation Institute (CSEII) forged several international and local partnerships in order to fulfil its mandate and to raise financial support for its programmes. A partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale (GIZ) and CARICOM which helped to develop a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change (MSSECC) had its first student intake May 2017. The period saw seven professors from Germany and Sweden building capacity through lectures, workshops with graduate students and small group training with UTech Jamaica, lecturers. The Master’s programme is a flagship for Jamaica as it is the first and only programme of its kind in the Caribbean Region which links sustainable energy, Climate Change, green innovation and entrepreneurship. The Institute hosted ten professors and senior administrators from six National universities from the Caribbean Region, (University of Bahamas, University of Belize, University of Guyana, University of Haiti, University of Suriname and The University of Trinidad and Tobago) March 17- 24 on a study tour funded by the CARICOM Secretariat. The group was familiarized with the MSSECC programme attended lectures in Green Entrepreneurship and Innovation and participated in evaluating student pitches which showcased green start-ups ideas. It is intended that UTech Ja. will share programmes and exchange lecturers in order to shift paradigms in teaching and learning and equipping students to be entrepreneurial in a global environment where employment dynamics have changed. Strategic Planning Session: Regional Universities Network Culminating the Study Tour, a Strategic Planning Session was hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat. This session included the six visiting universities, UTech Ja, Caribbean Maritime University and UWI Mona. A major outcome of the visit was an agreement in principle to formalize a regional network. Once established this Regional Universities Network will foster collaboration and cooperation on initiatives, projects, and programmes within sustainable energy and related areas. It was the first time eight National Universities had met to discuss energy training in the Caribbean. Climate Engineering Conference 2017 The Head of the Institute was invited by the World Academy of Sciences to attend the Climate Engineering Conference. This was held in Berlin, Germany from October 9-13, 2017. Dr. Potopsingh collaborated with the University of the West Indies Climate Group to present a poster on Solar Radiation Management Potential for Jamaica at a specially organized Forum. Dr. Ruth Potopsingh Associate Vice President