The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) and the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) have partnered for the 2026 staging of the annual Data Privacy Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, January 28.

The UTech/OIC International Data Privacy Conference will lead the nation’s observance of International Data Privacy Day. The conference will be held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, UTech, Jamaica, Papine Campus, beginning at 10:00 am, under the theme, “Your Privacy Programme and You: Managing Privacy in the Age of AI and Digital Mistrust.”

This joint initiative reflects the shared commitment of UTech, Jamaica and the OIC, as the regulatory authority for data protection, to advancing data protection awareness, education, and compliance in an increasingly digital environment.

Building Capacity and Advancing Data Protection Compliance

The Data Privacy Conference will bring together global and local leaders from government, academia, and the private sector to share practical strategies for developing and sustaining effective privacy programmes under the Data Protection Act, which was passed in June 2020.

Through this collaboration, UTech, Ja and the OIC aim to reinforce obligations to protect personal data, raise awareness of data privacy risks associated with digital platforms and emerging technologies, educate and empower organisations and individuals in data protection compliance, and foster cross-sector collaboration.

Keynote Address and Panel Discussion

The keynote address will be delivered by J Trevor Hughes, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Hughes is an internationally recognised data privacy expert who has testified before the US Congress, the United States Federal Trade Commission and the British Parliament, and has lectured at leading institutions including Harvard University, MIT, the London School of Economics and Trinity College Dublin.

Other featured speakers include Dr Andrew Wheatley, Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, and Celia Barclay, Information Commissioner. Local and international experts from academia, government, and industry will also participate in a panel discussion on the topic, “The use of AI to manage privacy, enhance digital resilience, and optimise operational efficacy.”

UTech Ja’s Role in Building National Capacity for Privacy Programme Management

UTech, Jamaica continues to play a leading role in national data protection awareness and capacity-building. In 2023, in response to the implementation of the Data Protection Act, the University partnered with e-Learning Jamaica to train the first cohort of 100 Data Protection Officers within the education sector. In 2025, it hosted its inaugural International Data Protection Symposium, bringing together regional and international experts to promote best practices in privacy and data governance.

Underscoring the significance of this year’s partnership with the OIC, Dr Kevin Brown, President of UTech, Jamaica, stated that “the university is pleased to be partnering with the OIC for this year’s staging of the annual Data Privacy Conference. This collaboration between the country’s data protection regulator and Jamaica’s National STEM University presents an ideal opportunity for leaders in the technology and information space to strategise and deliver meaningful insights and resources to the Government and people of Jamaica, strengthening and advancing the country’s data privacy agenda.”

The Office of the Information Commissioner’s Mandate to Regulate Data Protection

The OIC is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2020. Through various communication initiatives, the OIC increases public awareness about data privacy rights and the obligations of data controllers. The OIC contributes to developing the legislative framework for data protection regulation, provides advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of the Act, and monitors compliance through registration of data controllers and investigation of complaints and breaches.

Information Commissioner Celia Barclay noted that the conference forms part of the Office of the Information Commissioner’s focus on data protection compliance as a continuous activity. “As the Office marks its fifth anniversary in 2026, this conference reflects how far Jamaica has come in building a culture of data privacy and the work that still lies ahead in ensuring the protection of personal data and the regulation of data controllers,” Barclay said. She emphasized that, “strong privacy programmes are essential to building digital resilience and public trust, and for responsible innovation in an increasingly digital and AI-driven environment.”

The conference is free and open to the public. Interested persons are required to register via www.oic.gov.jm or www.utechjamaica.edu.jm no later than January 19, 2026.