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Monthly Archives

March 2020

Mar 30
7

CMU TO ENLIST 3D PRINTING FLEET & EXPERTISE TO FIGHT COVID-19

By | Uncategorized

The Caribbean Maritime University today announces that its Centre for Digital Innovation & Advanced Manufacturing (CDIAM) will enlist its entire 3D Printing Fleet, its filament stock and engineering expertise to fight COVID-19.

Established in November 2017, the Centre for Digital Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing at the Caribbean Maritime University is the region’s Centre of Excellence for Additive Manufacturing technology and expertise.

“The Caribbean Maritime University is pleased to join the fight against  COVID-19,” says Erica Simmons, Executive Director at the Centre for Digital Innovation & Advanced Manufacturing (CDIAM) at the CMU, “The team has been preparing for a moment like this for over 2 years, we are ready to serve our nation and to provide our expertise at this critical time.”

With immediate effect, the CDIAM will begin to manufacture personal protective headgear which will be delivered to the Ministry of Health to be donated to healthcare professionals across Jamaica. 3D printing or additive printing technology, allows for the development objects using a digital computer aided design file and various printing materials. The materials used in 3D printing include several types of polymers, metals, and ceramics.  With over 20 Additive Technology machines of various levels, the CDIAM has been leading the push into this new manufacturing method.

The CDIAM has also been asked to join countrywide initiatives that aim to increase the collaboration at the Tertiary level between the universities.  In essence pooling our knowledge, technology and resources across all the institutions to tackle the nations challenges.

“The moment of true disruption in here” said Mrs. Simmons “We knew disruption was on the way, but never could we have imagined this.  However, from the ashes will rise a phoenix.  Now is the time for Jamaica to start reimaging our world, and commit to creating a fully digitally-savvy, innovation-driven society”.

For more information about 3D Printing at the CDIAM Follow us on Instagram at @cdiamja or visit our website at www.cmu.edu.jm/cdiam.

Mar 25
11

Education during and after Covid 19!

By | CMU News, Uncategorized

In the space of a few fleeting days, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has reshaped society in lasting ways. A global, novel virus that keeps us confined in our abodes—maybe for months—is already reorienting our relationship to government, to the outside world, even to each other. Every facet of society’s quintessential operation has been affected, and Schooling is no exception. Certainly, COVID-19 has altered how students are educated around the world and those changes give us a glimpse of how education could change for the better – or worse – in the long term.

With the coronavirus spreading rapidly across the globe, many countries have taken swift and decisive actions to mitigate the advancement of the full-blown pandemic. Jamaica has undeniably become a yardstick for other countries in this regard. In the past two weeks, there have been multiple announcements suspending attendance at schools and universities. As of March 17, the OECD estimated that more than 421 million children worldwide are affected due to school closures announced or implemented in over 39 countries.

These risk-control decisions have led millions of students into temporary ‘home-schooling’ situations, especially in some of the most heavily impacted countries, like China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. These changes have surely caused a degree of inconvenience, but they have also prompted new examples of ‘Educational Innovation’ if you will. Although it is too early to judge how reactions to COVID-19 will influence education systems around the world, there are indicators suggesting that it could have an enduring impact on the trajectory of learning innovation and digitization.

In a weird way, as far as Education goes, COVID-19 has forced us to act as paragons of the 21st century by discovering and embracing more technologically intensive methodologies of teaching, such as digital distance learning. Many studies suggest that these virtual means of schooling optimize schools’ outputs through greater use of information and communications technology (ICT).

If nothing else, the lesson I hope we take from the rapid spread of COVID-19 in an educational regard, is the importance of building resilience in our Education system to tackle various threats, from pandemic disease to climate insecurity, and yes, even, rapid technological change. The pandemic is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the skills students need in this erratic world such as informed decision making, creative problem solving, and perhaps above all, adaptability. To ensure those skills remain a priority for all students, resilience must be built into our educational systems as well.

We must work together to ensure that resilience is built into our Education system, so that no child is left behind, whether it’s behind a desk at school, or in front of a screen at home!

Nahjae Nunes is a third-year student at the Caribbean Maritime University. Nahjae is a United Nations Youth Ambassador and occupies executive positions within several youth development organizations. 

Mar 23
2

Crisis vs Emergency

By | CMU News

The question of “What is the difference between a crisis an emergency” has been asked from time to time and by many persons. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University gives a reasonable interpretation of what distinguishes a crisis from an emergency. According to that well known and prestigious University, the distinguishing feature between a crisis and an emergency, “Is one’s ability to respond to the given situation”. The school further made the point that a crisis for some is a mere emergency for others. The outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus disease,  COVID-19 in the city of Wuhan, China was seen as a major crisis for the Chinese government.

Early assessment of the situation concluded that millions of people would have possibly died and human suffering would far outweigh all the disasters that the people of China have faced before. With a well thought out strategy, backed by effective command and control systems with trained people, accurate information and robust support structures, China has changed the course of history and has made a crisis into a mere emergency, which now stands as an example for the world to emulate.

When we look at the approaches being taken by several other states to deal with a similar threat clearly, we can see that something is missing from those approaches. In analyzing the Chinese strategy, a few essential takeaways come to the fore:

  1. The Commanders intent –The intent of the commander was clear and decisive. It was to prevent the further contracting and spread of the virus COVID 19. The commander knew the capability of the threat and accepted responsibility for the fix.
  1. Robust Command and Control System –The command structures were thoroughly organized and operated efficiently and effectively. Coordination was second to none, and the Chinese were able to achieve several critical objectives in a short period through this seamless coordination. The building of hospitals to house the sick is one of the shining examples of their coordinated efforts. Their communication was effective and void of fake news, which has the potential to cause panic and stress and by extension, make matters worse.
  1. Support Structures – The various support structures were in place from the military right down to the people who washed and kept the streets clean. They knew their task and carried out those tasks with the highest level of commitment.
  1. The discipline of the citizens – In times of crisis, the discipline of the citizens can be one of the determining factors which influence whether the objectives of the state are achieved. The Chinese displayed the highest level of discipline throughout the ordeal. However, the National Security apparatus was in place to protect the interest and survival of the state.

In concluding this short piece on Crisis vs Emergency, it must be highlighted that critical to one’s ability to respond to the given situation, is a robust system of command and control which must have people, information and support structures.

 

Assan Thompson, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, JCF
Head of Department
Centre for Security, Counter terrorism and Non-Proliferation (CSCTN)
Caribbean Maritime University

Mar 02
3

NEW LOOK FOR CARIBBEAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY SPORTS DAY 2020

By | CMU News, Uncategorized

The Caribbean Maritime University is re-engineering its annual Sports Day activities as the CMU supports the country’s push to develop traditional as well as non-traditional sports ahead of the Tokyo Olympics set to take place later this year.

“For us at the CMU, sports is not just about physical activity,” says Director of Student Affairs, Donnet Phillips. “We want to underscore its role not just in the development of individuals but in Jamaica’s development,” she says.

Ms. Phillips explains that “this year the CMU is pushing the agenda far beyond simply having a day of competition as we traditionally do.” Instead of the usual one day event, the CMU has designed a Weekend of Activities to begin on March 13, 2020 at Stadium East in Kingston. That day of competition – which begins at 9 in the morning – will see CMU students and staff participating in track and field events as well as non-traditional sports such as cheerleading.

“When one considers that the CMU is leading the national effort in areas such as fencing, cheerleading and rowing,” says Acting CMU President Dr. Ibrahim Ajagunna, “it is imperative that we expose our students to a high standard sporting event while ensuring that this is done in a cost-effective manner.”

Ms. Phillips adds that the CMU wants to highlight the fact sportsmen and women have a lot to contribute to the nation’s development. “That’s why the next two days on the Sports Weekend calendar are dedicating to supporting other organisations, using sports as a catalyst,” she explains.

On Saturday March 14, 2020, CMU sportswomen and sportsmen as well as students and staff will take part in a charity event to give back to an organisation in need in Kingston. On Sunday March 15, 2020 CMU staff and students will partner with the Kingston City Run with students serving as event marshals and members of the university also taking part in the run itself.

Pointing to the Jamaica Moves initiative, Ms. Phillips says the CMU “views this approach as an opportunity not just to serve the community but, in our own small, way, to support an event that is really about celebrating the vital importance of sports to the nation’s development.”

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