UTech opens new western campus head office

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

The University of Technology (UTech) opened its western campus head office in Falmouth recently.

The facility is located at the old Baptist Manse, which formerly housed the William Knibb Memorial High School at 9 Market Street, and will serve as the base for the western campus principal, Professor Geraldene Hodelin.

"It's a point of reference for UTech activities in the west; it's a one-stop shop," Hodelin said. "There are presently about 1,000 students, and its reach is not just the west, but by and large, UTech activities outside of Kingston."

UTech Academy

She said many undertakings that necessitated a trip to Kingston could be accommodated at the head office. The institution has also widened its scope to include the UTech Academy, which is for persons who do not necessarily have the matriculation requirements to pursue a bachelor's programme, but who would pursue courses in order to matriculate into university or transition into the regular programme.

Acting president of Graduate Studies Research and Entrepreneurship, Professor Gosett Oliver, praised this alternative matriculation programme.

"Students of the academy are taking on an alternative pathway of matriculation over the years. Research has shown that these students perform very well," Oliver said, adding that some of the top universities in Britain are pursuing this alternative path, which has reaped much success.