UTech embraces school spirit with vibrant President’s Knights Day 2024 festivities

A showcase of school pride was displayed earlier this month at the Papine and Western campuses during the celebrations of the third staging of the University of Technology Jamaica’s President’s Knights Day.

President’s Knights Day aims to build school spirit among members of faculty, staff, and the students while emphasising the university’s commitment to its community and fostering pride in the institution. The festivities commenced with a marching band and mascot parade starting from the Alfred Sangster Auditorium and culminating at the Caribbean Sculpture Park, where the official opening ceremony was held.

In his address during the opening ceremony, UTech President Dr Kevin Brown expressed his gratitude to the Marketing Unit and event sponsors for their contributions to the day’s success. Outlining the university’s mission to prepare the next generation of workers for Jamaica, the region, and the global community, he emphasised, “We continue to strive for excellence, and we must always celebrate what we have achieved,” highlighting the university’s track record of producing industry-ready graduates.

Brown also shared his transformational plan for the university, stating, “as society evolves with greater technological advances, we are also changing. We are on a RESET to be more research-intensive, expand access, and become a centre of excellence for student services, while being entrepreneurial and technology driven”.

Acknowledging the university’s financial challenges, Brown reassured students that the leadership of the university is actively pursuing increased government funding. He emphasised that “UTech is absolutely critical to the development of this country”, and outlined plans to modernise classrooms and enhance operational efficiency. He also reminded students of the university’s evolution from its beginnings in 1958 as the Institute of Technology, a year later to the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) and later as a full-fledged university in 1995 when the institution was renamed University of Technology, Jamaica.

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Brown urged the UTech Knights to take pride in their institution’s achievements.

“It’s your day; it’s our day to celebrate who we are and what we have accomplished,” he concluded, reinforcing a strong sense of community and shared achievement among the students.

Marjoriana Clarke, senior education officer in the Tertiary Unit of the Ministry of Education and Youth, brought greetings on behalf of Fayval Williams, minister of education and youth.

“Today, you recognise not only academic achievement, but also the values that shape your character, forge your future, and unite you as a community,” Clarke stated. She highlighted the vibrancy of student life at the University of Technology, Jamaica noting the camaraderie, enjoyment, and team-building activities planned for the day.

“Over the years, UTech has developed various programmes and events that promote student engagement, encourage leadership development, and recognise our standing achievements,” Clarke continued.

She praised the accomplishments of UTech students and faculty, stating, “currently, you serve as the bastion of excellence for the development of professionals and certified personnel in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, known for graduating workforce-ready individuals. This is especially important in the alignment of Jamaica as a STEM/STEAM country.”

Encouraging the students to embrace the core values of respect, accountability, integrity, service, excellence, innovation, and team spirit, she noted, these values not only define what it means to be a UTech Knight but also, “prepares you for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead in your academic and professional pursuits”.

She concluded with a hopeful message.

“I am hoping that you bring out the best in Jamaica’s education system anywhere you go while playing your part in helping Jamaica to be the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”

Rick Darby, president, UTech Students’ Union Council, in his remarks at the opening ceremony, emphasised that President’s Knights Day is a celebration of culture and pride in being UTech Knights. He highlighted, “as a UTech Knight, we build so much resilience, there are so many challenges, but today we are here to celebrate greatness. We are the birthplace of greatness. Today we celebrate everything that is good about our noble institution”.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, he extended gratitude to the management and the marketing unit for their efforts in organising the event and encouraged his peers to get involved in school activities, noting “this university is not just about academics, it’s also about our holistic development”.

The two-day activities were a vibrant celebration that brought students, staff and alumni together. Highlights included an energetic dance-off between Brown and Darby, musical entertainment, prize giveaways, trivia games that challenged students on their knowledge of school history, greetings from UTech Knights of, and exciting rap battles added to the fun.

The Centre for the Arts showcased talent pieces through choir performances, drumming, and a dynamic dance ensemble.

Exhibits by the various colleges, faculties and sponsors mounted in the Caribbean Sculpture Park provided great opportunity for networking and learning about various programmes.