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Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Dr. Delroy Gordon speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank

Festival Events Viewed by Thousands Across the World

Over 6,000 people from different countries around the world logged on to view the Independence Grand Gala held on August 6, at the National Stadium and the nightly events at the Independence Village at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in...

Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley (2nd right), shares a light moment with (from left): former Principal of the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor Sir Kenneth Hall; Director General of the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), Professor Errol Morrison ; and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research at UWI, Professor Dale Webber. Occasion was the opening of the 2016 United Nations University Biotechnology Programme symposium and training workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU-BIOLAC), held recently at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

DNA Fingerprinting Can Boost Agriculture in Region

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley (left) cuts the ribbon to officially launch the Mobile Post Office service in the community of Steer Town, St. Ann on Friday August 12. Joining in the occasion from left are Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Desmond Gilmore, Post Master General, Michael Gentles, Minister of Labour and Social Security and Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann, Hon. Shahine Robinson and Chairman of the Postal Corporation of Jamaica, Marcus James. The Mobile Post Office is an initiative of the Postal Corporation of Jamaica and is expected to serve over fifty communities and adjoining districts currently without a static postal point.

Mobile Postal Service Launched

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley (right), exchanges greetings with United States Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Luis Moreno (left), while head of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, looks on. The occasion was the opening of Blue Mountain Renewables (BMR) Jamaica Wind Project in Potsdam, St. Elizabeth on August 11.

Ministers Welcome Move by Virgin Group to Acquire BMR Jamaica

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley (right); and Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw (left) mount portable steps for a close-up view of a wind turbine at the opening of Blue Mountain Renewables (BMR) wind energy project in Potsdam, St. Elizabeth, on August 11. Others (from 2nd left) are Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Kelly Tomblin; BMR’s CEO, Bruce Levy; and BMR’s Regional Director, Ava Tomlin.

Gov’t Targets More Renewable Energy Investments

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (left), signs the US$696,300 contract to upgrade the software at the Administrator General’s Department (AGD), yesterday (August 11), at the AGD’s downtown Kingston offices. To the Minister’s left are Administrator General and Chief Executive Officer, Lona Brown and Managing Director of Argosoft, Ramachandran Gopalan. Standing behind the Minister is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Carol Palmer.

10 years ago JusticeTechnology

Software Upgrade at AGD

Service delivery by the Administrator General’s Department (AGD) is set to improve as a result of a US$696,300 software upgrade. With the Trust and Estate Management System (TEMS), the agency will be replacing its old Trust Administration Software. The new system has the capacity to process all aspects of estate administration, from trust administration to financial and investment-related activities. It...

Executive Director, Scientific Research Council (SRC), Dr. Cliff Riley (3rd right), accepts a cheque for $170,000 from NCB Matilda’s Corner Branch Manager, Dave Wilson (4th left), at the SRC’s Hope Road Office on August 10. The funds will go towards expanding the ‘Energy For Young Minds’ (EFYM) programme of the SRC’s Caribbean Energy Information System (CEIS) Department. Others pictured (from left) are Team Leader for the CEIS, Curtis Deenah; Manager for the Information Services Division at the SRC, Kerry-Ann Curtis; Technical Information Officer, CEIS, Carol Davis; Kingston High School student, Alethia Thompson; Ardenne High School students Nicholi Bogues and Fabrizio Darby; and St. Hugh’s High School student, Oshen Constable.

10 years ago AgricultureTechnology

Energy for Young Minds Project Gets $170,000 from NCB Foundation

The Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) has received a $170,000 donation from the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation to expand its ‘Energy For Young Minds’ (EFYM) programme. EFYM is an online resource tool for secondary-school students. Team Leader for the CEIS, Curtis Deenah, said the funds will help in acquiring more content, populating the resource tool, promoting the programme, and...

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron (left), greets Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, following this year’s 23rd Annual Churches’ Emancipation Lecture at Webster Memorial United Church in Kingston on Sunday, July 31. The event was held under the theme: ‘The Lesson and Legacy : Justice Reform and Emancipation’.. In the background, from left, are: President of the Senate, Hon. Tom Tavares Finson; Kingston’s Mayor, Senator Councillor Dr. Angela Brown Burke; and former Governor-General of Jamaica the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall.

10 years ago JusticeTechnology

CCJ President Urges Greater Use of Technology to Reduce Crime

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron, has called for increased use of technology by the police, particularly in Jamaica, to reduce crime. He contends that in Jamaica’s ongoing development of justice reform initiatives, technology must be pivotal in the interventions being considered to fight crime. “This includes the use of wireless surveillance, global positioning systems...

Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Dr. Hugh Cross.

10 years ago EducationTechnology

USF Provides $430 Million for ICT Infrastructure Development in Tertiary Institutions

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has provided nearly $430 million in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure development support for several tertiary institutions over the past four years. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Hugh Cross, says this entailed the installation of broadband Internet service and state-of-the-art equipment, among other key inputs. He tells JIS News that the University of the...

10 years ago Technology

Animation Training Programme Concludes on Friday

The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology will conclude the second in a series of animation training programmes being held at the Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI) in Kingston on Friday, July 29. The month-long ‘Train the Trainers’ programme focuses on enhancing and improving participants’ delivery of animation courses. This will be achieved by equipping them with effective teaching strategies,...

CEO of the Jamaica Customs Agency and Commissioner of Customs, Major (Ret’d) Richard Reese, addressing a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of downtown Kingston at the Hotel Four Seasons on Monday, July 25. (File photo)

10 years ago National SecurityTechnologyTransport

Jamaica Customs to Launch Electronic Window

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is to launch a Trade Single Electronic Window, which will allow customers to apply and pay for permits and licences electronically. Commissioner of Customs, Major (Ret’d) Richard Reese, said the system will facilitate the processing and electronic transfer of applications to the agency. Major Reese, who was addressing a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of...

(Right) Coordinator for the Science and Technology Education Unit at the Scientific Research Council (SRC), Amanda McKenzie is pictured here with students from the SRC’s Science and Technology at a previous Summer Camp, during their field trip to Hollywell.

10 years ago Technology

SRC Stages Summer Camp for Primary-School Students

Scores of students from Corporate Area primary schools are benefiting from a two-week science and technology summer camp being held at the Parade Gardens STEM Centre, downtown Kingston. The July 25 to August 5 non-residential camp, under the theme ‘Living in our Environment’, is being staged by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in collaboration with the Grace and Staff Community...