The Oasis - A Caribbean Maritime University publication

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Oasis newsletter

Table of Contents CMU Training for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: with FACT

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CMU’s new internal structure: Functional Chart

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The Transition at a Glance

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Truetorial: An Initiative by Students for Students

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Energy Efficiency in the Transportation Sector

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Feature Story:

Marine Pollution and me

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Recent Developments

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Staff Spotlight

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Culinary Delight

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OASIS newsletter

Embracing Technology as we move forward This year we hope to open a new state-of-the-art Festo Authorized and Certified Training (FACT) centre, on the CMU main campus, being built in collaboration with German engineering giant FESTO and funded by our partners, PetroCaribe Development Fund and Universal Service Fund. This new facility will change the face of engineering education in Jamaica (see feature on page 3). When it opens, it will be the largest and most comprehensive FACT Centre in the world. In November 2017, also on the main campus, we opened the Dr. Andrew Wheatley Centre for Digital Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing. This centre houses the largest and most sophisticated collection of 3D printers in the Caribbean. Together, along with other initiatives, these demonstrate the university’s commitment to enhancing the education landscape through innovation and technology.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Professor Fritz Pinnock Let me start by wishing you a new year marked by happiness and good health, as well as inspiring and innovative ideas. Innovation is at the core of who we are and what we do here at the Caribbean Maritime University. Note the word - University – underscoring a major milestone we achieved last year, that is, transitioning from an Institute to a University on Charter Day, September 28, 2017. The transition to University might have been official in a single day but it took years of hard work and preparation. The effort and the sacrifices of staff and students are not lost on me and I wish to extend my gratitude to you for the diligence you displayed by putting service above self to allow us to realize this milestone. I also wish to welcome the many new members of staff and students who have joined us in this new phase. However, to whom much is given, much is expected. This means that while we must all take a moment to be thankful for what we have achieved, we must also press ahead to new horizons.

Infrastructural Developments We are also working on new student facilities such as an expanded library and resource centre, lecture rooms and recreational facilities. A new block will be opened in short order to house the Office of the Treasury and the Registry thereby expanding the services for students and staff. At the Port Royal campus, we have painted the buildings and work continues to improve and expand the services available on that campus, despite the severe restrictions placed on us by the fact that that campus is located on a heritage site. We will continue to work with on these areas of development and assist in preserving the campus as a token of Jamaica’s heritage in this community. That is what all the drilling and hammering, zinc fences and barriers and men and women in hardhats is all about. These are the practical realities of pressing ahead, of innovating. I thank you for the patience you continue to exercise despite the inconveniences brought on by these construction activities. Once again, thank you for the great work you have been doing and best wishes for the year ahead as we continue to Redefine Maritime Excellence through Innovation and Technology.

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OASIS newsletter

FEATURE STORY

CMU TRAINING FOR THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: WITH FACT

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OASIS newsletter FEATURE STORY

CMU TRAINING FOR THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: WITH FACT Imagine a world in which people talk to machines – self driving cars, drones, and robots completing human tasks. This is the Fourth Industrial Evolution, and the Caribbean Maritime University, through its partnership with the German based, FESTO, is at the forefront of preparing those students – for the future. It is a fantastic partnership between FESTO and the CMU to establish what is called a FACT Centre to give students state-of-the-art engineering training. FESTO, a global market leader, is an engineering-driven manufacturing company, specializing in pneumatics; the branch of engineering that specializes in gas or pressurized air, and electric automation technology. FESTO Didactic is the educational arm of the company, providing global certification in these areas, through its FACT Centres. The CMU is the leader for maritime education and training in the region, and also offers higher education in related areas such as engineering, logistics, customs, freight forwarding and immigration, as well as security administration and management. Both entities will offer students and employees of manufacturing companies hands-on training to succeed in an evolving industrial economy.

certification across many sectors at all levels to persons seeking to enter the workforce and to retrain persons who are already working in the manufacturing sector. It will also offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Mechatronics and Automation. These are areas that will see a rapid increase in job prospects over the next few years as well as specialized courses in industrial pneumatics, electromechanical systems, and hydraulics. In addition to offering undergraduate degrees, professional development and certificate initiatives, the Centre will focus on fostering an education through a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) approach and strengthening CMU’s track record of aligning academic programmes with industry demands.

“By 2020, the fourth industrial revolution would have brought us advanced robotics and autonomous transport, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and biotechnology,” according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). This period – the fourth industrial revolution – is characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds. Elaine Hayden, CMU’s Director of Projects and Strategic Initiatives, under whose purview the construction of the centre falls, believes there will be a dramatic shift in the skill sets demanded over the next few years. “Modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing starts with qualified people,” she said. “And with the introduction of advanced technologies in large to small innovative companies, the FACT Centre will supply skilled technicians for the manufacturing sector and beyond.” The PwC 2016 Global Industry 4.0 Survey agrees: “The biggest challenge for industrial leaders isn’t technology – it’s the people.” Training – or retraining the workforce will be “a challenging task” for companies as we approach the fourth industrial revolution, Hayden said. However, she was quick to point out that the FACT Centre is equipped with the resources and the technical know-how to fill this skills-gap. “We have four state-of-the-art laboratories and internationally trained FESTO certified trainers who will be delivering the courses to our first cohort in September.” The FACT Centre will offer professional training and

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Academics Faculty of Shipping & Logistics Faculty of Engineering & Applied Technology Faculty of Advanced Skills & Professional Development Faculty of Marine & Nautical Studies Faculty of General Studies University Registry University Library Examinations Curriculum Development School of Graduate Studies Office of Student Affairs Alumni Relations

Office of Academic & Student Affairs

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Compensation Employee benefits Employee Relations Training & Development Labour Relations Staffing & Recruitment

Office of Human Resource & Administration

CARIBBEAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY FUNCTIONAL CHART

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University Communications Brand Management Marketing Media Engagement Public Relations

Office of Marketing & Communications

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Corporate Governance Compliance Contracts Legal Services International Relations Regulatory Matters Licenses Policy Management International Partnerships

Office of Legal & International Affairs

Office of the President

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SEPTEMBER 2017

Information Technology Information Technology Software IT support Systems and services Data collection & management IT security User controls and access IT research Distance education & Elearning platforms

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University Development Application for grants and grant funding Advancement services Property Management Campus Security Facilities Management Transportation

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Treasury Treasury University Bursary Purchasing and Auxiliary Services University Finances Budgeting Procurement

Office of the Treasury

Internal Audit Quality Management Consultancy FACT Centre Maritime Training Centre Centre for Climate Change & Renewable Energy The Andrew Wheatley Centre for Digital Innovation & Advanced Manufacturing Projects and Strategic Initiatives

Office of Technology & Innovation

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Caribbean Maritime University!

FUNCTIONAL CHART –

OASIS newsletter


THE TRANSITION

OASIS newsletter

AT A GLANCE

The transition to university consists of a legal, operational and physical process. Here are highlights of activities that occurred in preparation for the official day of transition - Charter Day, September 28, 2017 1) Making it Official: Dr. Fritz Pinnock, receiving the CMU Act from Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information. This legal document formally signalled the completion of the legislative transition process and paved the way for Charter Day (September 28, 2017). Left of Dr. Pinnock is Mrs. Hyacinth Bennett, Chairman of the Board of Directors and right of Minister Reid is Mr Bindley Sangster, Senior Advisor to Honourable L. Michael Henry, Minister of Transport and Mining. 2) First Campus Visit: On his first visit to CMU, University Chancellor, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I is presented with his official CMU epaulettes to accompany his ceremonial uniform, by Captain Jhonny Pretell, Associate Vice President for the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies. They are joined by President, Professor Fritz Pinnock and Chairman of the Council, Mrs. Hyacinth Bennett. 3) Out with the old and in with the new! The old Institute sign at the entrance of the campus was replaced by a new sign. Here representatives from Innovative Signs and Awnings are busy taking measurements to prepare the space. 4)

The new sign (front gate)

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Raising of the CMU flag on Charter Day

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Painting and renovation in action

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Spectacular showcase of fireworks at Charter Day celebrations

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OASIS newsletter

TRUETORIAL

An initiative by Students for Students

MEET CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN

Christopher Hayden knows that there are some students who can’t grasp a difficult Math or Engineering concept. Sometimes these students might not seek additional assistance from their lectures – until it’s too late, and they fail a course. “In first year I noticed a lot of Engineering students were struggling with advanced Mathematics concepts,” he says. “And by second year, I observed that this figure doubled as the level of difficulty increased.” Christopher, a third year Engineering student at the Caribbean Maritime University, saw this plight as an opportunity to pair struggling students with other students who understood the material or who had already taken the class. So he decided to start a tutorial service, partnering with final year Logistics student – Deron Wilson – whom he met through one of his lecturers. “It was in my head since second year, but it wasn’t until December 2017 [that] I approached Mr. Matthews (the lecturer at the time) about the idea of starting a tutorial service.” He said. “To my surprise, Mr. Matthews said that another student was in the process of establishing a tutorial service.” He then arranged a meeting with James’ team and the two quickly joined forces, providing a comprehensive tutorial service for students from primarily the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technology and the Faculty of Shipping and Logistics. This was the birth of Truetorial. It was a great match. Both students were enthusiastic about learning and teaching others. Christopher has always been passionate about assisting students to excel academically. He remembers vividly,

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his earlier years at Glenmuir High School in Clarendon, where he would conduct free classes for other students, and spearheaded the formation of clubs and societies. “In high school, I’m always helping students academically,” he explained. “I even helped to start the first Aviation Club at Glenmuir with help from individuals at the Tinsen Pen Aerodrome, where I usually spend my weekends.” His first passion was aviation studies, and he was even accepted into a US based university, but after researching local universities he found a more rounded and economically attractive option in CMU’s Engineering programme. He has no regrets, as the University has provided him with a well-rounded knowledge of engineering theories, and the skill sets to apply them. Christopher discovered that tutoring can complement the classroom curriculum in an embarrassment-free way. “Students are sometimes afraid to ask questions in class because of fear,” he said. “At Truetorial students feel comfortable to share their academic struggles, and collaborate with their peers in solving academic problems in the classroom.” He further points out that students are often not practicing enough questions and as a result, they lack the application skills. “The goal of Truetorial is to become impactful and sustainable,” he told The Oasis. “We want to impact our students and the external communities, as well as find creative ways to ensure that this programme continues over the years.”


OASIS newsletter To join peer tutorial sessions as a Logistics student, for Mathematics, held on Mondays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Recreational Room (Upstairs), contact Christopher Hayden at (876) 597-2274.

DERON WILSON Co-founder of Truetorial, Deron Wilson, was an academic standout from an early age. He won national literacy competitions at 11 years old and was among the top performers at his alma mater, Clarendon College. Now at CMU, where he is a final year student of Logistics, it is no different as he has appeared many times on the Deans’ Honour Roll. It is this passion for academic excellence, and the eagerness to help others, that inspired him to start the tutorial service in partnership with Christopher. “When I was in first year, I did not have a lot of persons guiding me,” he said. “So instead of allowing the current first year students to make the mistakes we made – I believe we can provide that guidance that they would need coming from high school into university.”

to impact current students – established on the campus. “I believe that it’s very important to give back and help others and this is a culture we want to see expand right across the campus,” he says. “We are not seeking to make a profit, but to leave a positive impact on our students and needy groups in our university and external community.” Currently classes for Engineering students are held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., for Mathematics II and Industrial Chemistry respectively. For additional information, you can contact Deron Wilson at (876) 585-4610.

Deron’s team comprises academically strong students who work on a freelance basis. This has proven to be an advantageous strategy, not only for the tutors who are sharing their knowledge, but also for the students who are benefiting for the arrangement. “The beauty is that the tutors understand all the dynamics of life on campus, balancing well and putting in the hours needed,” he said. With a little more academic support, Deron believes that struggling students would perform better academically. “I find that younger students are a bit unsettled when they just get to the university level, and as such they benefit immensely from possitive intervention from more experienced students.” The programme has grown gradually; from his team of five which includes; Donald Chin, Shaneka Peat, Akeeme Boothe, Shantel Barnes, and Santash Morgan. Over the last few days, Truetorial has amplified its promotional materials to increase awareness. “We’ve started putting up posters on campus, along with implementing a social media marketing campaign.” Truetorial now offers the opportunity for students to join a WhatsApp group, to get the opportunity to share questions they are struggling with and receive assistance online or face-to-face. Deron has every intention to continue the programme even after he has graduated. “Right now we are developing a framework to ensure there is continuity when the current team members have graduated,” he expressed. “Also I want to develop a culture of charity where other top performing students can use their knowledge and skills and share it with their peers.” He also hopes to see other students establish charitable activities - with the potential

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OASIS newsletter

ENERGY TRANSITION IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR: A vision of fuel efďŹ ciency

Written by Dr. Stephen Rhoden - Associate Vice President, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technology From deadly heat waves and record-breaking hurricanes to melting ice shelves: the fingerprints of climate change and the global warming that has spawned these changes are all around. As more and more scientists look for solutions: one, not-often-spoken-of option appears to be gathering steam in some quarters: hydrogen. Specifically, the integration of batteries and hydrogen is a central pillar of the energy transformation required to limit global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius. To achieve that two-degree goal, the world will need to make dramatic changes year after year and decrease energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 60% until 2050. This, even as the population grows by more than 2 billion people, billions of citizens in emerging markets join the global middle class.

This vision also sees hydrogen powering a quarter of passenger ships and a fifth of locomotives on nonelectrified tracks, and hydrogen-based synthetic fuel powering a share of airplanes and freight ships. The current freight-forwarding and shipping industry has not lent itself to the transformation of its current fossil based glut to more sustainable fuels such as hydrogen but can you imagine a world where it does?

Hydrogen can play seven major roles in this transformation:

How do we get there?

1.

Building the hydrogen economy would require yearly investments of $USD 20 to 25 billion for a total of about $USD 280 billion by 2030. About 40% ($USD 110 billion) of this investment would go into the production of hydrogen, about a third ($USD 80 billion) into storage, transport, and distribution, and about a quarter ($USD 70 billion) into product and series development and scaleup of manufacturing capacity. The remaining $USD 20 billion, could go into new business models, such as fuelcell-powered taxi fleets, car sharing and contracting of combined heat and power units. Within the right regulatory framework, attracting these investments to scale the technology is feasible. The world already invests more than $USD 1.7 trillion in energy each year, including $USD 650 billion in oil and gas, $USD 300 billion in renewable electricity, and more than $USD 300 billion in the automotive industry.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Enabling large-scale renewable energy integration and power generation Distributing energy across sectors and regions Acting as a buffer to increase energy system resilience Decarbonizing transportation Decarbonizing industrial energy use Helping to decarbonize building heat and power Providing clean feedstock for industry

It is the vision of the Hydrogen Council (a body set up to lead the energy transition) for hydrogen to enable the deployment of renewables by converting and storing more than 500 terawatt hours (TWh) – a measurement for large amounts of energy - of otherwise curtailed electricity. On the demand side, too, hydrogen has a big role to play. This vision sees hydrogen powering more than 400 million

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cars, 15 to 20 million trucks, and around 5 million buses in 2050, which would constitute on average 20 to 25% of their respective transportation segments. This 20% could contribute more than one-third of the total carbon dioxide abatement required for the road transportation sector in the two-degree scenario.


Oasis newsletter For years, China has been scrutinized for its lenient emissions targets and regulations, and for good reason. However, Tianjin Xin Guobin, the Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, just announced that the Chinese government is working on a timeline to completely end the production and sale of gas-powered automobiles and ships. China isn’t alone. The Dutch parliament passed a motion to end all gas and diesel car sales by 2025. India hopes to end gas and diesel car sales by 2030. Norway has agreed to do so by 2025 (though 40% of their newly registered vehicles were already hybrid, electric, or hydrogen this year). Britain and France both plan to do so by 2040. Japan is betting heavily on becoming a “hydrogen society. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing his vision of vehicles, houses and power stations using hydrogen to end Japan’s energy crisis since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. This led to a dramatic drop in electricity production. The country’s annual hydrogen and fuel cell market is forecast to hit 1 trillion yen ($USD 9 billion) in 2030 and 8 trillion yen in 2050, according to the industry ministry. Yes, oil and gas have helped us progress immensely over the past century but their time is nearing its end. Renewable energy is our future. Ultimately for the Caribbean region, and the global maritime fraternity, the global shift to using less fossil based fuels will only help our economies and environments. Fewer pollutants in our natural environment, will also mean healthier persons and greater productivity.

Marine Pollution and Me Nahjae Nunes – First year student, Faculty of Shipping and Logistics

THE NOT SO FORTUNATE TALE OF A HUDSON FISHERMAN Once upon a time, in a village by an arm of the ocean, there lived a fisherman who, like his father before him, had always looked to the coastal waters for his livelihood. As the years passed, more and more outsiders moved into the fisherman’s village. Housing developments, then condominiums spread, and new marinas lined the shores, polluting the harbour. Then one day, the fisherman’s world collapsed. New regulations. Some of the fish on which he depended for his livelihood were declared “unfit for human consumption” because of toxic chemicals dumped by a company upstream. We need not identify the fisherman, but he does exist, and so do many like him. This essay is an attempt to summarize our present understanding of how the contamination resulting from human activities – collectively termed pollution – has affected marine life

and what we can do.

The oceans are so vast that until fairly recently, it was widely assumed that no matter how much trash and chemicals humans dumped into them, there would be little impact. Hence, the catchphrase: ‘The solution to pollution is dilution’. Today, one needs to look no further than the New Jersey-size dead zone in the Mississippi River Delta, and the thousand-mile-wide swath of decomposing plastic in the northern Pacific Ocean to see that this ‘dilution’ policy has placed a once flourishing ocean ecosystem on the brink of collapse. Reasonable evidence suggests the pollution of global coastal waters is increasing particularly in heavily populated and industrialized coastal areas. Some materials are not pollutants in a strict sense but an imbalance among them may result in problems. For example, nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for plant growth but too much in a body of water, can cause an algal bloom, depleting the supply of oxygen available to marine life – killing some species and forcing the migration of others. This is not just an international problem. In fact, according to some local environmental agencies, about 500 tonnes of garbage flow from gullies and rivers in Jamaica into the surrounding Caribbean Sea yearly! Some of the best solutions start with you. Here’s how you can help: 1) Be careful with chemicals: Choose eco-friendly household cleaners and take measures to reduce the fumes you release into the air (for example by choosing public instead of private transport or carpooling over single passenger driving). 2) Don’t flush or rinse away harmful particles: Don’t flush plastics down the toilet, or oils and exfoliating beads down the faucet. Switch to exfoliants with natural materials like seeds, sugar or sand instead! 3) Campaign: Lobby policymakers and other stakeholders to build awareness about harmful practices. For example, write letters or spread the word on social media to bring about change in behaviour. 4) Volunteer at a beach cleanup – or organize one yourself 5) Recycle, recycle, recycle (particularly plastics) In general, stay informed and aware of your impact on the environment. Making intelligent choices and changes is perhaps the most effective solution for ocean pollution.

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OASIS newsletter

Recent

Developments Last quarter was a very exciting year for the institution. From University status to a major increase in campus activities – the last few months have been very busy. Here are some highlights:

CMU SHINES IN BELGIUM VP, Legal and International Affairs, Deniece Aiken, on a recent trip to Belgium, representing CMU, participated in two courtesy calls alongside Her Excellency Mrs. Sheila Sealy Monteith, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the ACP Group/EU on both Exmar Shipmanagement and the Antwerp Maritime Academy in Antwerp, Belgium. Ambassador Sealy Monteith was impressed with the progress of the university and encouraged the institution to continue on a path of development.

DEBATING EXCELLENCE The University now has a Literary Arts & Debating Society. It announced its existence with a competition to search for talent and build team spirit, while preparing for an international competition. Together with the Students’ Union, the society hosted the inaugural Intra-University Debating Championship which received enormous support with twelve teams entering. Chief Judge and veteran debater, Ricardo Brooks expressed how pleased he was with the progress of the society in such a short time and that the students were extremely talented. After rounds of discussions on topics that ranged from global challenges to educational policies, Matthew Gilzene and Vanessia Davis emerged as the winning team. Gilzene was awarded best speaker.

CMU SPARTANS STRIKE AGAIN The Cheerleading team (CMU Spartans) created history last year by becoming the first Caribbean team to win three divisional titles at the World University Cheerleading Competition: large co-ed division, all girls stunt group division and the mascot division. This year the team returned home from the 2018 staging of the competition held at Disney World in Orlando Florida with the winning trophy for Best Large Co-Ed Division and is now ranked as 4th overall.

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OASIS newsletter SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Jamaica supported maritime education and training by offering $200,000.00 each in scholarships to five students pursuing maritime and related studies at CMU. The University currently offers a course in Mandarin, has partnerships with Chinese universities and Chinese nationals as students. The scholarships were presented by His Excellency Niu Qingbao, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (3rd left), at a ceremony on Friday January 26, 2018. Joining him are Professor Fritz Pinnock, CMU President, students - Nakalia Thompson, Shannon McCalla, Nailah Steele, with Dr. Grace McLean, Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education Youth and Information, and the other two scholarship recipients, Winston Chambers and Courtney Johnson.

DIGITAL INNOVATION CMU is now home to the most sophisticated and technologically advanced 3D design and printing facility in the Caribbean. The centre which is named in honour of Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, was launched on November 15 at the CMU main campus and is a premiere research institute in digital technologies and advanced manufacturing methods and equipment. Officially opening the facility with its patron is Chancellor of CMU, His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I. With them are Chairman of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Board of Directors, Mr. Robert Lawrence, CEO of USF Suzette Buchanan, President of CMU, Professor Fritz Pinnock, and the Centre’s Executive Director Erica Simmons.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR CMU hosted a staff development and leadership retreat led by first Chancellor, His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I (Ghana) at the Courtleigh Auditorium on Thursday November 23, 2017. His Royal Majesty is a respected advisor on global issues, a thought leader and renowned motivational speaker. The retreat forms part of the University’s thrust to engage and retain international faculty and staff. Clad in his official CMU uniform, HRM addresses a section of the audience. His charge to staff was to be steadfast in the achievement of personal and organizational goals and to be self-motivated despite challenges that may arise.

COASTAL CLEAN-UP The Blue Economy refers to marine-based economic development that leads to improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In support of this, the Development Foresight Institute, an NGO, in partnership with CMU, through the Jamaica Environment Trust, organized a coastal clean-up of Port Royal Square and Foreshore Beach for International Coastal Clean-up Day. At the end of the day, eight and half bags with garbage weighing approximately 145 pounds collectively were collected and handed over to officials at the National Solid Waste Management Authority.

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OASIS newsletter

Recent

Developments con’t VISIT TO PM’S OFFICE Prime Minister Andrew Holness poses for a quick picture with the Chancellor of the CMU Drolor Bosso Adamtey I (left) and the University’s President; Professor Fritz Pinnock (right). The chancellor and president paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister to briefly discuss matters of concern to CMU.

PERFORMANCE IN THE PARK The Blue Ocean Voices is the University Choir which was officially formed last year for a debut performance at the Charter Day Ceremony in September. Since then the group has performed at numberous events, including concerts, funerals and staff functions. Here they are photographed at Emancipation Park performing at a Christmas Concert. They are available for bookings at info@cmu.edu.jm.

FIRST CMU GRADUATION The first graduation under the banner of University was held on November 14, 2017 at the Jamaica Conference Centre. It was the largest graduation exercise, featured University Chancellor, government ministers and released over 250 globally certified, industry ready graduates with post graduate and undergraduate degrees. A highlight of the event was the recognition of two icons in the maritime industry by way of Honorary Doctoral degrees. These were Grantley Stephenson, receiving Doctorate in Port Management (honoris causa) for his significant and enduring contribution to shipping in Jamaica, and for his support of the growth imperatives of Jamaica, and Roland Malins-Smith, who received his Doctorate in International Shipping (honoris causa) for sterling contribution to shipping across the world and for his support of the development of the Caribbean region.

CMU SIGNS JAMCOPY LICENCING AGREEMENT Deniece Aiken (centre), Vice President of Legal & International Affairs, Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and Joan Pinkney (right), Licensing & Member Services Manager, JAMCOPY sign the official copyright licencing agreement signalling the University’s compliance with copyright laws. Looking on are: Navlette Bishop; Deputy University Librarian, Professor Fritz Pinnock; President and Carol Newman; General Manager, JAMCOPY. With this license, CMU students, faculty and administrative staff can now legally reproduce licensed works originating in Jamaica and approximately 34 other mandating countries inclusive of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Barbados and Canada.

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OASIS newsletter

KEEPING THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN The University has many avenues of communicating with its stakeholders, especially its current and future students. Common avenues are consultations, town hall meetings and career expositions. 1. Career expositions: A future student from Ardenne High School discusses with Digital Marketing Officer, Nikel Innerarity, her plans to join the CMU family in the next intake. 2. Consultations: Students speaking with University Treasurer, Mr. Devon Gardner and Director of Student Affairs, Ms. Yanique Taylor at a meeting held on Main Campus in January 3. Townhall meetings: Students seated and listening to presenters at a recent town hall meeting in January at the Port Royal Campus

NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 2018

a representative from the Office of the University Registrar will be available At the Port Royal Campus to facilitate requests for services, including, but not limited to: Status Letters Signing Work and Travel forms Transcripts Representatives will be present from Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm and will operate from the Port Royal administrative office.

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OASIS newsletter

Staff

Spotlight

In this edition we feature two staff members, illustrating the true mix of vintage and new that CMU has become.

TEN MINUTES WITH TREVOR an hour later and start working by 6:00am. “Yeah man, when I reach out by the bus stop in Harbour View, it still dark sometimes and I catch the Gleaner delivery man to come over here every morning…I get so used to waking up early that I wake up the same time on weekends and holiday…” Before joining CMU, Trevor used to travel all over Jamaica painting white lines and traffic directional markings on newly built roads. He liked this job because he visited many places and met different types of people. He developed good work ethic from an early age and attributes this to his experiences and lessons learnt while growing up in communities like Tower Hill and Bay Farm Road in his birth parish, Kingston. Trevor is guided by this one principle and shares it as advice to others. “Come to work early…get a head start…and he CMU we see today is as a result of the hard do a good day’s job. At the end of the day, you can feel work of many people. Some are no longer with us good within yourself”. but a few others remained and have witnessed an amazing series of transitions from the early days until now. Beyond the legislative reforms, the changes in management and expansion of lecturing staff and student population, are the grass root efforts to make this university what it is. Speaking of grass roots, have you ever considered the role that the landscapers play on campus? They are the moulders, keepers and carers of our institution and among them is the veteran – Trevor.

T

HAVE YOU MET

YANIQUE TAYLOR?

Trevor Miller is known to all as the jovial, helpful and reliable keeper of the grounds and fixer of all things. Trevor came to CMU in October 2006 as a painter, under the management of former executive director, Commander Rodriques. Very soon after he became much more, doing landscaping, plumbing, woodwork, among other maintenance duties. As the institution grew, so did the need for additional staff. Trevor was then joined by others, leaving him to focus on what he loves most – gardening and cleaning. This is a job that requires him to wake up at 3:00am, to get to CMU

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Oasis newsletter

“I lived in the hood,” she jokes, “and US hood is very different from Jamaican hood.” She is Yanique Taylor the Director of Student Services at the Caribbean Maritime University. It’s about 8 o’clock on a Tuesday morning and I have interrupted her morning routine (she gets to the CMU about 7:30 to start her day) to get her to talk about herself. Talking about herself is something she does not seem to like to do. It’s not that she’s shy. It’s more that she seems to prefer to talk about what she does than herself. Get her started talking about work and the experiences roll off her tongue. The journey through the “hood” and now to CMU started in her hometown of Spanish Town, St. Catherine. That’s where she spent her formative years – though school was in the Corporate area –first at Alvernia Preparatory, then, Immaculate Conception High. When everyone was applying to go to the University of the West Indies, Mona, Yanique Taylor had her sights set on the United States. “I thought it would help me get out of my shell,” she muses. And that it did. She ended up a student at Rutgers State University in New Jersey. She’d packed up and gone to an entirely different country but it seemed that leap was not enough. Campus housing was not a thing for her. “I didn’t want to live on campus cause when we did the campus tour and saw those dorms I was like no, not gonna work out. Not that they were bad but especially for a first or second year student I think you had double triple and quadruple rooms. Those were the only options and I wasn’t ready for that. So, I said I would do off campus. So just find a group of students and you rent a house, get your own room and whatever and the cost ends up cheaper anyway than rooming on campus,” she says. Off campus, in her case, meant “the hood”. “Being a broke Caribbean student you couldn’t live in the better neighbourhoods, not that Newark had many options (which was where my school was),” she said. “Were you afraid,” I ask. “No man, they’re not gonna trouble you once you live with them…. I had my car broken into one night. That wasn’t fun but that was the only thing… there was an operation one morning helicopters, man running through the backyard being chased by police and thing but besides that it was fine. When we were graduating and my roommates and I came out in our caps and gowns, there was applause, they were so happy for us.” That life changing experience would serve her well when she joined the Abbott Leadership Institute, fresh from undergrad studies in 2004. A nonprofit organization based at her alma mater, the Abbott Institute, fights to ensure that urban school districts get their fair share of resources.

Their target was Newark – an area with many poor minorities. The groups would hold workshops to empower parents so they could demand the resources needed to get their children a solid education. Yanique Taylor had lived in the hood and worked in the community. She’d seen the challenges. But it was a sobering reality. “I was living in the communities so I knew what a lot of the kids were exposed to. The kids who, just like myself, who’d be coming out in the mornings and probably passing four or five drugs addicts shooting up or already on a high. That was their reality. Having students who may have actually stepped over a dead body that morning to get to school and the ripple effect that that can have on them emotionally, psychologically but also what is that doing to them and their possible educational achievement when they are already entrenched in a school that has so limited resources,” she says soberly. Two years at the Abbott Institute, graduate school at Rutgers – then Yanique Taylor was back to the non-profit educational sector. She would work with “Communities in Schools”, a national organization targeting at-risk students. The organization works in over 2,300 schools and communitybased sites, in the most challenged communities in 25 states and the District of Columbia. After ten years in the US, Yanique Taylor would head home – a journey that would see a stint with Junior Achievement Jamaica before landing the job at the CMU. Having spent her life in the non-profit education system I ask how all these experiences fit into the CMU world. “I think it’s the same. It’s just helping our students to be focused. To see possibilities for their future and providing the means, whether it’s resources, whether it’s assisting wherever we can on the Students Affairs side to enhance their academics. Through Crewing and Placement, it’s getting them attached to the professional world. We are building up their preparedness whether it’s their resume writing skills, their interviewing skills, their overall professional decorum, so they are ready to enter that work world and make their money build their lives. I know that we have a lot of students who are coming from similar backgrounds to the students I have worked with in the past. May not be as visible as the students I have worked with before, so it’s still the same scenario. They have been fighting those battles leading up to now and probably haven’t had the right opportunities to change their circumstances and here is where we want to ensure they have the opportunities to change their circumstance,” she says.

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OASIS newsletter

Culinary

Delight Salads are the new Steak!

W

ho says eating healthy has to be dull and boring? For those of us who eat with our eyes first and then with our mouths, salads can be a truly delightful experience. Various vegetables and fruits have an array of colours and when put together on a plate, can appeal to more than just your appetite. Salads are a healthy choice because they are rich in fibre, light on the stomach and rarely cause issues such as indigestion. They also do not always require a long preparation time because many of them can be had without cooking. So why don’t more people like salads? The common challenge with salads is the availability (or lack thereof) of fresh produce, the bland taste of some foods without meat and the fact that one is hungry almost immediately after having a salad. This is why it is recommended to have more than lettuce on a plate and include a wide variety of fresh foods with various tastes and aromas. Mix and combine your favourite foods and keep things interesting. You should also include foods from other food groups to provide more than minerals, vitamins and fibre. Add a variety of sweet, savoury and tangy elements to keep your taste buds dancing without packing on extra pounds.

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OASIS newsletter

This salad is the result of a very tasty experiment. The polenta (turned cornmeal) provides starch, so does the mashed sweet potato. The potato also has raisins to satisfy the craving for something sweet. Fresh vegetables occupy the majority of the plate so that the balance between good and not so good carbohydrates is maintained. Protein is also added in the form of chicken but this could have been fish, turkey or just about any lean meat. The melon gives another element of interest and can be used as a pallet cleanser and finally a hint of dressing to ‘jazz’ up the earthy taste of greenery is a must have. This was our version. Create your own. Happy eating!

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