It was the attentive ear and responsive attitude of a sensitive listener that recently made the $10 billion software grant from Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software Inc possible. The in-kind software grant includes NX software and Siemens PLM Software's digital product development solution which comprises computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing and computer-aided engineering applications.

Dr Andel Bailey, chair, Math and Engineering Department, Northern Caribbean University (NCU), explained that the software opens a world of endless possibilities. Engineering students at NCU will not only benefit from the development of a world-class department, but will also be given the tools to change not only Jamaica, but the world.

This in-kind software grant strengthens the University's efforts towards nation building. Jamaica needs its people to be seriously engaged in manufacturing, designing, and inventing.

The software however, is not restricted to practitioners in the field of engineering. Anyone can use it. Components of the software can be used by school administrators, students and even business professionals to assist in project management. The software also allows for people to work from different geographic locations. Several people can work seamlessly on a project from different parts of the world as the software instantaneously tracks changes made by each worker.

Siemens PLM Software's GO PLM provides PLM technology to more than one million students annually at nearly 10,300 global institutions, where it is used at every academic level - from grade schools to graduate engineering research programmes. NCU will be assisting other academic institutions too. In time, the university will expose schools across Jamaica to the technology.

With the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Northern Caribbean University (NCU) and Grace Kennedy Foods Limited recently entered into a partnership to advance the university's research into the cancer-fighting properties of sorrel.

The research team from NCU led by Dr Juliet Bailey-Penrod, Dr Paul Gyles and Patrice Williams-Gordon has shown that the extract from the sorrel plant destroys cancer cells of the larynx. Studies on sorrel's effect on lung cancer cells continue and plans are being developed for further study of its effect on different cancers.

Allen (left) and Shaw

Today, the Adventist-Laypersons' Services and Industries (ASI) East Jamaica Business and Professional Expo will engage the business community and members of the public in an all-day affair at The Jamaica Pegasus. The Expo will be held under the theme, 'Making a Difference in the Marketplace' and is under the patronage of His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen.

The expo will feature presentations titled, 'How do I grow my Business', 'How do I Finance my Business' and 'The Jamaican Economy and Prospects for Growth', which will be delivered by keynote speaker, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw.

Adventist and non-Adventist businesses will share and network to increase awareness of the products and services they provide the public. The expo is also a charity event in which all proceeds will go in aid of the Good Samaritan Inn. This is a community outreach centre which caters to the needy, hungry and homeless people of Kingston and St Andrew.