The approximately 2,000-strong Class of '09 is the biggest graduating class in the history of the university, and includes the first batch of postgraduates

A record-breaking tale was etched on the pages of Jamaica's scholastic history yesterday as the University of Technology (UTech) said farewell to its largest graduating class of all time.

But the approximately 2,000-strong graduating class of 2009 was not done rewriting the 51-year-old institution's record books. Another university record was also set yesterday: the class of '09 also boasted the university's first batch of master's degree graduates.

"We are full of pride," said a beaming Professor Errol Morrison, president of the UTech, as he boasted that the university accomplished the historic feat without "adding any burden on the government's coffers".

According to Morrison, just 38 per cent of the university's current $4-billion budget comes from the State. Fees collected from students account for 38 per cent while income earned by the university through various ventures, including, but not limited to, consultancies and investments, accounts for 24 per cent of the university's budget.

That was a big jump in the university's income-earning efforts. During the last academic year, 37 per cent of UTech's budget, which was just under $4 billion, came from the government's coffers; students' fees accounted for 53 per cent while the remaining 10 per cent of the budget was raised by the university's income-earning initiatives.

population increase

"In one year we changed that around significantly and reduced the burden on the students," Morrison said. The university currently has a student population of about 12,000.

Assistant Professor Dr Kofi Nkrumah-Young, vice-president with responsibility for planning and operations at UTech, was also pleased with the record-setting number of 1,972 graduates.

Nkrumah-Young said in years gone by the graduating class averaged around 1,000 students. "It is a major milestone, (I feel) excited and very good," he said.

Professor Morrison explained that the university has been expanding its reach by adding new programmes that respond to the demands of the students.

The professor said student interviews and polls helped in shaping the programmes offered by the self-styled "people's university".

"Every new programme is fully self-sustaining," Morrison said of the income-earning potential of the university.

The professor also used the historic accomplishment to reiterate his appeal for more autonomy to be giving to the university so it can increase its growth rate. "What we are asking for is not anything new. We are just saying give us the same playing field as UWI (University of the West Indies)," he said.

bureaucracy

Morrison lamented that bureaucracy was slowing the pace at which the university could be raising funds and expanding its programme offerings. The professor pointed out that the government's procurement procedures were a "big problem" as the guidelines stifle the university's bid to land consulting gigs. "We can't get the things together in time," he bemoaned.

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com