The University of Technology (UTech) will stage its second annual STEM Summer Camp in July for secondary-level students from grades seven to 11.

This year’s camp will be held at UTech’s Papine campus from July 14 to 25, and its western campus on Dome Street in Montego Bay from July 7 to 18.

It will focus on skills in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), mathematics, digital skills and career development.

Speaking at the launch held at the university’s western campus last Wednesday (June 25), UTech president Dr Kevin Brown, said that the camp is a long-term investment in the youth.

“It’s about building a sustainable educational pipeline, getting students excited and exposed to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) early so that they can perform well at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and matriculate into a university like UTech,” he said.

“We want them to pursue STEM and pursue it right here at UTech,” he added.

Brown commended the various partners, who are supporting the camp and urged the students to take full advantage of the opportunity.

“The future is happening right now and the pace is frightening, but you are the generation that can build the Jamaican version of ChatGPT, not just consume it. Dream big,” he charged the students.

Brown underscored the institution’s commitment to equipping Jamaica’s youth with technical skills that will drive national development and ensure that the country is not left behind in global innovation.

“As a small island, Jamaica must not be left behind. That’s why we’re excited to be hosting the national AI lab right here at UTech,” he pointed out.

He shared that students at the institution recently won the Intellibus AI Hackathon, outperforming over 600 participants worldwide.

“We must not underestimate the minds and talent of our Jamaican people. What they need is opportunity,” Brown said.

Dr Charah Watson, executive director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), in her remarks, praised UTech’s continued investment in science and technology education.

She reaffirmed the SRC’s commitment to initiatives like the STEM camp.

“This event is very fitting, very purposeful, and aligns perfectly with what we at the SRC are mandated to do – support the science, research, and innovation ecosystem in Jamaica,” she said.

She emphasised the importance of demystifying science and helping Jamaicans see themselves in the field.

“Science is not just locked away in our labs. It’s not something far-fetched that only ‘crazy’ people do. It’s something you can relate to, and something you can participate in,” she pointed out. 

Encouraging the participants to fully embrace the experience, she urged them to “explore boldly, question fearlessly, and work together creatively. Your ideas matter, and they can be translated into something tangible”.