MONA CAMPUS REPORT
enhancing and improving the quality of in-person (face- to-face) teaching and learning. Further, MITS expanded the services offered to online clients, providing opportunities for them to reach the Campus anywhere, at any time. The result was an increase in the uptake of virtual programmes. Delivery of new and improved academic programmes and courses The Campus rolled our several new or revised courses/programmes designed for relevance and an enhanced student experience. We highlight a few below. Strategic initiatives aimed at driving the Campus’s Research Agenda were evident in new postgraduate courses, among them, the Faculty of Science and Technology’s faculty-wide research methods course titled, Research Method for the Sciences approved for implementation in September 2024. The course will be a requirement for all new graduate students. The Faculty of Engineering (FOE) continued to effect changes to the curricula of all four of its Bachelor of Science degree programmes as a part of the ongoing endeavour to continuously assess and improve course content, remain in step with industry standards, bring them in alignment with recommendations from international accreditors ABET, while maintaining the teaching and learning objectives of the Faculty. The School of Medical Radiation Technology ( SMRT ), the premier training school of the Caribbean region, supplying local, regional, and international markets with professional imaging technologists, developed a five- year BSc Improved Diagnostic Imaging (Radiography) programme. The demand for radiographers in modern medicine is at an all-time high globally and has led to Jamaica struggling to retain its graduates. The Board of Undergraduate Studies (BUS) approved the improved
Loan Bureau, S.W.A.T. International, Scotia Bank and Jamaica National Bank, occupied booth spaces in the Orientation Village, providing new students the chance to browse their offerings and ask detailed questions about one of the major roadblocks to accessing higher education — funding/financing. The Placement and Careers Services Section of the OSSD assisted in 800 students in getting part-time employment in and off the Campus and some 1,045 applications were received for Summer Employment. Throughout the 2022–2023 academic year, alumni, retired colleagues, and friends of the University demonstrated their commitment to expanding access to tertiary education through the establishment of scholarships/awards and the enhancement of teaching and laboratory facilities. The collective contributions in the Faculty of Science and Technology alone amounted to approximately J$10.4 million. Online delivery of courses augmenting in-person (face-to- face) modality Prior to the pandemic, less than 30 percent of courses had the benefit of some online content and electronic learning resources supporting the in- person delivery. The pandemic necessitated the use of both synchronous and asynchronous online delivery modalities (and assessment) of the full content of all courses. This capability provided students with an expanded, anywhere, anytime learning experience across all courses. Survey findings indicated that students significantly valued this capability. As a result, MITS collaborated with faculties to promote and maintain rich course content, electronic learning resources, online activities and engagement via the Campus learning management system. This provided and expanded a blended delivery modality,
Greet” session, held at the departmental level. At the well-attended events, students had the opportunity to socialize with their peers and staff in a relaxed setting. The findings of a Wellness Survey, an initiative of the Office of Student Services and Development (OSSD), provided solid ground upon which to build and focus programming on wellness initiatives, and campaigns to help students cope in their university career. To this end, most of the halls of residence rolled out robust health and wellness programmes for the academic year. Addressing student hunger and food insecurity With food insecurity among students emerging as a pressing concern, the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) spearheaded by the Associate Dean for Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation, launched its Food Cupboard Initiative in January 2023 to alleviate/ reduce food insecurity among FST students in the main. It is well established that hunger impedes cognition and therefore negatively impacts academic performance. It also takes a toll on mental and emotional wellbeing. FST partnered with The Free Likkle Cupboard, a local NGO that provides food cupboards at no cost. The Faculty received its first donation from the Grace Kennedy Foundation. There was ongoing promotion to staff, students, and potential partners to donate to this initiative as a means of sustaining the supply in the cupboard
Addressing student financing of higher education
The Office of Student Services and Development (OSSD) orchestrated the Orientation Programme to assist new students in easing the transition into university, as well as to highlight the various avenues to ways to access financing for their education. The Campus community financial institutions, as well as the Students’
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