In an unprecedented move, the College of Agriculture Science and Education {CASE}, in Portland, yesterday- formed a partnership between the University of Technology {Utech}, and in that process also signed a Memorandum of Understanding {MOU}.
The signing took place at the T.P Lecky Multipurpose Hall located on CASE campus at Passley Gardens. The MOU signing is in keeping with Utech’s strategic thrust to partner with selected educational institutions to deepen its programme offerings and to fill the needs of its target market for students, locally and in the Caribbean community.
"This marriage between CASE and Utech is one of strength", said Professor Errol Morrison, President of Utech. " We will ensure that this coming together will help to prepare our young for the increasing pressure of globalization. The new agriculture with new engineering, technology, and science, must be one upon which Jamaica must certainly depend on as it look forward to its place in the future", he added.
Both Utech and CASE have agreed to cooperate and share joint information on research and programmes in agriculture, business studies, hospital and tourism management, land management, environmental sciences, and education. This will result in the articulation of accredited programmes; joint degree programmes; collaborative research projects and technology initiatives; income generating projects and resource training, among others.
And CASE president, Professor Paul Ivey, said that the partnership takes on much significance against the background of the dictates of the global market place for competitiveness, even as Jamaica grapples with daunting macro-economic and social challenges, which makes it imperative that limited resources are utilized maximally.
" CASE and Utech are making a bold statement", said Dr Ivey. " This signed MOU is an indication that we are joining forces and will be leveraging our respective strengths synergistically, rather than competitively and in isolation, to accelerate Jamaica’s development. The vision of CASE is to be an institution internationally recognized for excellence in all disciplines, while contributing to national and regional development", he added.
The Memorandum of Understanding is initially valid for five years, from the date of the signing by both institutions. The MOU is seen as historic, being the first between the two parties. This follows closely on the MOU signed between the Caribbean Maritime Institute and Utech, earlier this year.
