VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
JANUARY—APRIL
Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC), University of Technology, Jamaica
FENC LECTURER SELECTED FOR TOP US DEPARTMENT OF STATE AWARD
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Thorpe gets US Department of State Award
Cover
Launch of JSEE
Cover
Newly Trained Renewable Energy Specialists
2
The Tribology Research 3
Group Publication
Professor Kulkarni
publishes Papers
4
Faculty Achievements
5
Dr. Wesley to present at 6
INFORMS conference
Dr. Golding becomes a 7
member of AIS
Professor Kulkarni
recent membership
7
Faculty’s Awards
Ceremony Pictorial
8
Research and
Technology Day
9
Where are they now
10
UTech’s National Society of Black Engineers
11
Mr. Sean Thorpe, Lecturer,
SCIT, and recipient of awards
from the United States
Department of State was
selected to participate in an
eight week Junior Foreign
Faculty Enhancement Seminar
at the Harvard University
Summer School between June
and August 2009.
Mr. Thorpe participated in a
highly competitive selection
process to emerge with this
very prestigious award. The
selection takes junior faculty of
the Caribbean and Central
America countries who teach in
the fields of mathematics, or
the natural or physical science;
to participate in an academic
exchange programme
consisting of pedagogical
instruction and the opportunity
to attend academic classes in
participants’ fields of study. The
participants will partake in field
-related research or serve as
teaching assistants under the
mentorship of United States
professors; contribute to the
community through volunteer
work and community talks, and
take advantage of the
numerous opportunities to
learn about the diversity of the
United States offered within the
Boston area.
Mr. Thorpe holds a Master of
Science degree in Information
Technology Security from the
University of Westminster, UK,
and a Bachelor of Science in
Computer Science from the
University of the West Indies,
Mona. Since joining the School
of Computing and Information
Technology at UTech in 2002,
Mr. Thorpe has provided the
core support for the
development of a specialized
curriculum track in Computer
Security for the School.
Cont’d on page 4
LAUNCH OF JAMAICA SOCIETY OF ENERGY ENGINERS(JSEE)
On February 17, 2009 the
Computing and Engineering
Entrepreneurial Centre (CEEC)
spearheaded the launch of the
Jamaica Society of Energy
Engineers (JSEE) at the
Technology Innovation Centre
(TIC), UTech.
The JSEE is the accreditation
body for Energy Auditors and
Managers in Jamaica and the
franchise holder for Certified
Energy Auditor (CEA) and
Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
examinations. Members of the
JSEE will benefit from being
automatic members of the
Association of Energy
Engineers (AEE).
At the launch Dr. Paul
Campbell, FENC Lecturer,
outlined the objectives of the
Association, which were:
•
Promotion of energy matters
in organizations
•
Corporation with industries
Cont’d on page 3
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
Page 2
FENC’S NEWLY TRAINED RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIALISTS
Messrs. Noel Sinclair,
Rudolph Brissett, and
Kirkland Rowe, lecturers in
the School of Engineering
(SOE), participated in an
intensive online training
program in Renewable
Energy. The programme
was conducted by the Latin
America Energy organization
(OLADE) and the Centro de
Demostracion Y Capacitacion
en Techologias Apropiadas
(CEDECAP).
The successfully trained
Hydro Energy Systems
Specialists received their
Certificate of completion,
awarded by the organizing
body on January 14, 2009.
The Minister of Energy
presented the award to the
lecturers at a special
ceremony held in the
Minster’s Board Room at
the Ministry of Energy on
April 1, 2009.
The lecturers are now
certified as persons
possessing the expertise in
Design, Implementation and
Management of Micro Hydro
Power Energy Systems in the
sustainable renewable
energy market.
Jamaica is moving in the
direction to stem its
appetite for the use of
expensive, air polluting
fossil fuels and to increase
the use of clean, sustainable, renewable energy,
en-route to making Jamaica
a 1st World Country by
2030. The Faculty is thus
positioning itself to fulfil its
mandate in this area.
Hydro Electric Power
Systems are installed in the
flow stream of high velocity
waterways to capture the
Kinetic Energy (Energy in
Motion), and convert it to
Electrical Energy. This
energy is added to the
National Electric Power Grid
thus reducing the use of
fossil fuels which is a
significant cost on the
country’s energy bill. The
certification of these
lecturers means that the
Faculty is now well
equipped to take an active
role in the sustainable
development of the nation’s
energy system.
Micro Hydro Systems are
compact self contained
systems that can be located
in unconventional areas of
the electric grid, but close
to the load centers as
Distributed Generation
Systems where the
power is needed most
and is added to the grid
without the use of an
expensive transmission
network. Micro Hydro
Systems also operate
by the use of lower flow
streams and thus do
not have to be sited
along large rivers.
These generation units are
zero emission devices and
thus do not negatively
impact the depletion of the
ozone layer by the
production of Greenhouse
Gases which come from the
exhaust of large fossil fuel
power plants.
A careful mix of new, midservice and long-service
lecturers from both the
Electrical and Mechanical
Division were selected and
enrolled to ensure
continuity in the knowledge
transfer of what was
learnt ,and they are now
prepared to develop related
courses, train personnel,
establish and deliver
programmes in Renewable
Energy Hydro Electric
Systems. These lecturers
will also be expected to
guide graduate level studies
and research in the area.
They are also expected to
collaborate in Hydro Power
Systems projects proposal
across the region.
FENC lecturers should avail
themselves for similar
training which will arise in
the future, which provides a
distinct advantage to the
University’s modus
operandi. There is no need
for a break in employment
schedule or applying the
leave of study process for
the participants to access
these courses, since the
programmes are delivered
online.
Successful completion
results in, increase
academic qualification,
increase technical expertise, increase research
capabilities, improve
specialization in the field of
study.
Submitted by:
Dr. A.B. “Paffos” Darmand,
P.E.
A Moment of Pride for the New Experts
(L(L-R) Kirkland Rowe and Noel Sinclair
Rudolph Brissett (Missing)
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
Page 3
THE TRIBOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP PUBLICATION
The Tribology Research
Group comprising of
Professor Gossett Oliver,
Dr. Vernon Buchanan and
Mr. Kavian Cooke, has
recently published in the
prestigious refereed
International Sugar Journal
[CX, 1320, 770-776, Dec
2008]. Their paper, “A
critique on the wear
mechanism of surface
engineered sugar mill roller
shells”, is one of several
already published by the
SOE's Tribology Research
Group. Buchanan has
completed his PhD degree
in the field and Kavian
Cooke, a recent MPhil
graduate, supervised by
Professor Oliver, and now a
UTech lecturer, is pursuing
his PhD in the field at the
University of Calgary in
Canada.
T
ribology is the science
of surface wear, a
significant industrial
problem in the sugar industry where the surface wear
of mill rollers costs millions
of dollars per year. Earlier
published research by the
UTech group has produced
a formula for extending the
performance life of equipment used in the industry.
Commercialization is now
being actively pursued.
The paper carried scanning
electron microscope (SEM)
photographs of surface
microstructure. These
images were obtained from
the SEM at BruneI
University, Professor
Oliver's PhD alma mater.
UTech, Jamaica is now
seeking to purchase its own
instrument to support
research in several faculties
and to provide a commercial service to industry and
other research centres.
Financing has been
earmarked from the SGSRE
-initiated EU/ Edulink
Forensic Science project
and the University's own
Research Development Fund.
The abstract of the paper,
below is published by the
journal in English, Spanish and
German by the Journal reads:
Surface engineered sugar mill roller shells (SMRS) have historically been
done by a welding process called "arcing". The desired effects of the engineered surface on the SMRS are: to increase friction between the SMRS
and the shredded sugar cane, to enhance the extraction of sucrose juice,
to minimize the wear and to potentially enhance bagasse comminution. In
this investigation, the surface of grey cast iron rollers were arced in the
traditional way. A second set of grey cast iron rollers were hardfaced using
similar welding electrodes. The engineered surfaces were characterized
for their abrasion and corrosion wear resistance. The results of the study
suggest that the predominant wear mechanism is corrosion associated
with porosity and a depletion of Cr. The depletion of Cr on the welded globules, when compared to the manufacturer's welding electrode specification, is quite significant. The results lead to the conclusion that the formation of elemental additives to welding electrodes for arcing SMRS needs to
be further investigated.
LAUNCH JSEE CONT’D
•
and organizations to
provide energy solutions
•
Registration and
•
Career guidance for
The CEEC at UTech and the
newly formed JSEE are
collaborating to offer the
Certified Energy Auditors
course. The course includes
compulsory courses in:
Energy Accounting and
Economics
•
students at the secondary and tertiary levels
•
and Indoor Air Quality
certification of energy
professionals
•
Codes and Standards
Energy Audits and Instrumentation
Optional courses are also
offered in a variety of
energy management areas
such as:
•
Motors and Drivers,
Cogeneration and CHP
Systems
Energy Procurement and
Green Buildings
•
LEED and Energy Star
Certified Energy Auditors
can conduct energy audits
internationally and are
qualified to use the CEA
designation. Applicants for
the CEA course must hold a
four-year engineering
degree and/or Professional
Engineering (P.E.) with at
least three years experience in energy engineering
or energy management; on
a four-year business or
related degree with at least
five years experience in
energy engineering or
energy management or
other equivalent
qualification.
For further information on attaining
JSEE membership or enrolling in CEA
Courses, contact the Computing and
Engineering Entrepreneurial Centre
at (876)970-1059.
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
Page 4
SELECTION FOR TOP US DEPARTMENT OF STATE AWARD CONT’D
The course, offered to final
year students, is the only
applied Security Computing
track offered anywhere in
the Caribbean. He has also
provided collaborative
support for the development and revision of the
Analysis of Programming
languages curriculum.
He has also supervised a
number of undergraduate
student research projects,
and published two papers,
“Evolving Towards a
Standard for Information
Security”, in 2003, and
“Using a secure SHA1 GPRS
Technology to Provide Mobile
Outpatient Care in Jamaica”
serving as Programme
Leader and Lecturer in
Computer Science in areas
such as;
in 2006.
•
Computer Security
Mr. Thorpe holds professional membership with
Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Computer Society, the
Institute of Applied Cryptographic Research Group
and the Jamaica Computer
Society. He does this while
•
Operating Systems
•
Database Systems
•
Advanced Programming
using Java
•
Software Engineering
•
Data Structures
•
Artificial Intelligence
•
Computer Networks
He also serves as a Chair of
the School’s Information
Systems Security Group
since 2005.
The President, Prof. the
Hon. Errol Morrison, OJ
stated that he is confident
that Mr. Thorpe would be an
excellent ambassador for
the University and Jamaica
in his work at Harvard.
PROFESSOR KULKARNI PUBLISHES PAPERS
Leading from the front, Deputy President, Engineering, Ashok Kulkarni has recently had papers published, or
accepted for publication, in prestigious international journals.
The Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems has accepted the co-authored paper, “Multi-input Fuzzy Logic Controller
for BLDC motor Drives.”
Abstract
This paper deals with design and development of fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for the speed control of a BLDC
motor. The proposed control system consists of two inputs (error and change in error) and three-inputs (error,
change in error and change in change in error) with single output (change in control output). These two methods
are carried out using seven number triangular membership functions for fuzzification and center of gravity defuzzification method. Both the methods have been implemented for various parameters such as desired speed;
load variations, brake application and effect of Gaussian white noise and an IIR filter for suppressing it. From the
experimental results, it is observed that three-input single output FLC (31SO FLC) is superior, more robust, faster
and flexible with lesser settling time and without any overshoots/undershoots and zero steady state error compared to the two-input single output FLC (21SO FLC).
Key words: BLDC Motor, Fuzzy Logic Controller, Gaussian white noise, IIR filter
The Instrument Society of India has also accepted for publication the paper, “Effects of White Noise on Multi-input
Fuzzy Logic Controllers for BLDC Motors. This jointly authored paper argues that the introduction of noise/
disturbance causes instability in the control system of BLDC motors, and identifies systems which reduce noise.
Last year, the Defence Science Journal published Professor Kulkarni’s (et. al) paper on “Multi-input Fuzzy Logic
Controller for Brushless dc Motor Drives.”
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
Page 5
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS
•
Dr. Paul Campbell, SOE Lecturer, will serve on the Advisory
Board for the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology
in Agriculture (CEATA). His letter of confirmation was sent to
Dr. the Hon. Minister Christopher Tufton on January 27,
•
2009. Dr. Campbell states that he is looking forward to
serving the nation in this capacity.
•
Dr. Audley Darmand has been invited to be
a member of the International Program
Committee (IPC) for the International
Association of Science and Technology for
Development (IASTED) International Conference on Power
and Energy Systems (EuroPES 2009). The conference took
take place in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, September 7 - 9,
2009. As a member of the IPC Dr. Darmand reviewed papers in his area of expertise, which is in Power and Energy
Systems.
Mr. Valeri Pougatchev, who has served on the International
Program Committee (IPC) for previous
IASTED conferences, has been offered
membership. Mr. Pougatchev accepted and
will be participating in the International
Program Committee (IPC) for the IASTED
International Conference on Computers and
Advanced Technology in Education (CATE 2009), which is to
take place in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands from November
22, 2009 to November 24, 2009.
UTech Opens JPS - Sponsored Power Labs
JPS contributed J$9 Million to UTech to renovate two existing
laboratories within the FENC. These power labs outfitted with
equipment using the most advanced technology, were officially
opened in January 2009.
The labs – the Power System Simulation Lab and the Virtual Lab,
will allow students to work on simulated power systems, from the
generation of electricity through to electricity distribution. This
will enable students to experience hands-on training on a normal
power system.
The labs will also facilitate the control of electrical equipment via
computers. Electrical engineering students will be able to work
on model generators, transformers and motors through the use
of computers.
Launch of SOE Energy unit
The School of Engineering
•
hosted a successful launch of
its first Energy Unit & Open Day •
in January 2009. This event
staged the opening of the JPSCo •
Electrical Power Laboratory.
Activities included:
Tour of SOE
Presentations on renewable
energy
Displays of energy related
projects and products from
private suppliers of renewable
energy devices in the area of
solar, wind and transportation.
Laboratory Technologist, Nathan Martin, explains to President & CEO of JPS, Damian
Obiglio (seated), how students can interface with transformers and model generators
using computers. Also listening is Head of School of Engineering, Dr. Victor Watt (right).
The paper,, “Online PerformancePerformance-based Management and Evaluation System as an Instrument to Manage the Quality of Institutional Performance at the University of Technology, Jamaica”
written by Sandra A.C. Glasgow, Jennifer Ellis, Nicola Johnson and
Valeri Pougatchev (SCIT lecturer) was published in the Journal of
Research in Innovative Teaching, Vol. 2, Issue 1.
The journal can be seen and downloaded from the link:
http://www.nu.edu/assets/resources/pageResources/
Journal_of_Research_March09.pdf
Cont’d on page 6
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
Page 6
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS CONT’D
The Faculty of Engineering and Computing congratulates the
following staff members in acquiring scholarships
•
•
Mr. Sean Thorpe, lecturer, SCIT, was awarded a Doctoral
Scholarship at the Colorado State University in Fort Collins,
USA, commencing Fall 2009. He was also awarded the
•
Fulbright Faculty Exchange Scholar 2009, at the Harvard
University. This award was granted through the US Embassy
•
of Jamaica.
Mr. Andrew Gordon was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for PhD studies in Computer Science at the University
of Southern Illinois, Carbondale, USA, commencing Fall
2009.
Mr. Dorr Campbell was the recipient of partial funding from
the Cornell University to pursue PhD. Studies.
Mr. Howard Hendricks was awarded the Association of
Commonwealth University (ACU) Wighton Titular Fellowship.
DR. WESLEY, SOE LECTURER, TO PRESENT AT INFORMS CONFERENCE
Dr. Wayne Wesley, one of
the authors of the paper
entitled “Integrated Prediction variance for Response
Surface Designs” , was invited by Editor of Journal of
Quality Technology (JQT) to
present a talk at the annual
conference of Institute for
Operations Research and
Management Sciences
(INFORMS) in San Diego,
USA, October 11 - 14,
2009.
INFORMS is the largest
professional society in the
world for professionals in
the field of operations
research. The society
serves the scientific and
professional needs of
operations research
educators, investigators,
scientists, students, managers and consultants as well
as organizations.
Dr. Wesley’s paper was
selected from many papers
that were published or were
to be published in the JQT.
The abstract for the paper
is shown to the right.
1.
Wesley, W. R.; Simpson, J. R.; Parker, P. A.; and Pignatiello J. Jr.
(2009). "Exact Calculation of Integrated Prediction Variance for
Response Surface Designs on Cuboidal and Spherical Regions".
Journal of Quality Technology. - Vol. 41, No. 2, pp 1-16
Over the years, design optimality evaluation of response surface
designs focused mainly on D-optimality and G-optimality
criteria. The apparent limited use of the IV-optimality criterion
appears to be influenced by the computational challenges
associated with the criterion. The lack of available computer
code appears to be the main reason for limited use of the IV-
Dr. Wesley has been allotted 30
minutes for the talk, exceeding the
usual 22 minutes typically agreed
by INFORMS.
optimality criterion. In addition, the IV-optimality criterion
appears more difficult to code than the D-optimality criterion
because of the integration required over the specified design
region. In this paper, an efficient and exact method is presented
for computing the IV-optimality criterion for selected response
surface designs. The pseudo-code for the computer program is
also presented. The investigation examines both spherical and
cuboidal regions of interest. In addition, an analytical approach
is outlined for computing the IV-optimality criterion for second
-order split-plot designs. A particular feature of the analytical
expressions is that they are derived using the design parameters.
In addition, several comparisons of second-order response
surface designs are illustrated for completely randomized
designs and split-plot designs.
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
Page 7
DR. GOLDING BECOMES A MEMBER OF AIS
Dr. Paul Golding
Dr. Paul Golding, SCIT
Lecturer, was one of twenty
academics worldwide
invited to be a committee
member for the Association
for Information Systems
(AIS). As a member he
would under study and
initiate AIS branded student
chapter. The Association for
Information Technology is a
premier global organization
for academics specializing
in Information Systems. The
School of Computing and
Information Technology
(SCIT) is therefore poised to
become a regional hub for
the AIS and will be among
the first in the world to have
a student chapter. A student committee has already
been formed in the School
and Dr. Golding has
attended the first AIS
Student Chapter Planning
Committee in April 2009, at
the Temple University,
Philadelphia, USA.
•
contact and relations
with bodies in government, the private sector,
and in education that
influence and/or control
the nature of information systems
•
•
Create and maintain a
Promote communications and interaction
among members
Create a vision for the
future of the IS field and
profession
•
professional identity for
IS educators, researchers and professionals
•
Improve curricula, pedagogy, and other aspects
of IS education
The specific purposes of AIS
are to:
•
Provide a focal point for
•
Include professionals worldwide.
To these ends, AIS intends to
conduct meetings, to publish
books, journals, and other
materials; to cooperate with
other organizations interested in
the advancement and practice
of information systems, to
stimulate research; to promote
high professional standards,
and in general, to promote the
growth of information systems,
and to improve the profession's
quality throughout the world.
Create and implement a
modern, technologically
sophisticated professional society
•
Establish standards of
practice, ethics, and
education where appropriate.
UTECH’S STAFF JOINS JAMAICA’S NUCLEAR ENERGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Professor Ashok B.
Kulkarni, Deputy President,
UTech, has accepted an
invitation from the Minister
of Energy, Hon. Clive
Mullings, to become a
member of the committee
that will advise the Ministry
on the possibility of nuclear
energy as an option in
Jamaica’s energy mix.
Indies, Mona. Professor
Kulkarni is highly accomplished in the field of
applied electronics and
nuclear physics.
This committee is chaired
by Professor Gerald Lalor,
Head of the International
Centre for Environmental
and Nuclear Sciences
(ICENS), located at the
University of the West
On Tuesday, February 10,
2009 Professor Kulkarni
delivered a special lecture
on Nuclear Energy and
Jamaica to students in the
Faculty of Engineering and
Computing.
Prof. Kulkarni sees his
membership on the Nuclear
Energy Advisory Committee
as an honour in serving
Jamaica and also as a
reflection of the national
standing of the University of
Technology, Jamaica.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
FACULTY’S AWARD CEREMONY PICTORIAL
The annual Awards ceremony for the
Faculty of Engineering and Computing
(FENC) was held at the Alfred Sangster
Auditorium in April 2009. It was a very
eventful evening with tribute made to the
former Dean of FENC, Dr. Oliver Gossett
and musical entertainment from the UTech
Instrumental band.
Page 8
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
Page 9
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DAY
UTech held its annual Research and Technology
Day in March 2009. It was a two day exhibition
event in which four members of FENC’s academic
staff discussed their work and presented their
findings within the Speakers’ Forum, as follows:
•
Picture taken from
various FENC
exhibition booths
Dr. Michael Case (Solar Powered Irrigation
System for Green Spaces)
•
Mr. Kirkland Rowe (Solar Absorption
Refrigeration System)
•
Dr. Felix Akinladejo (Virtual Reality meets
Medicine)
•
Mr. Earl Wilson (Solar
Hydrogen Cooking
Gas Production)
ABTRACTS FROM RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DAY PRESENTATION
Dr. Michael Case:
Affordable Robust Methodology for Testing Quality and Consistency in Energy Production of Silicon Photovoltaic Modules using
General Linear Modeling
Abstract
As photovoltaic (PV) technology gets more popular in developing countries, the need will arise for new standards, systems and
procedures that adequately reflect the uniqueness of the economic realities of these regions. The quality assurance techniques for
photovoltaic modules are fairly well established with reference modules, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), and photovoltaic current
-voltage characteristic curve tracers in use. This research paper focuses on a novel affordable quality technique where the current
voltage (I-V) characteristics and several Industrial Engineering tools are employed in a sequential manner to test the consistency in the
energy production of silicon PV modules. This research investigated if there were significant differences in the energy production of
statistically equivalent PV modules by means of the product of their short circuit current, open circuit voltage and fill factor under varying
atmospheric conditions. This methodology was taken through detailed uncertainty and sensitivity analyses coupled with designs made to
retrofit this technique to conform to photovoltaic technology. Because it is primarily an outdoor procedure which utilizes samples from
the production line along with inexpensive equipment, it should be well suited for remote manufacturing, import facilities and test sites in
developing countries. The procedure examined the merits of several possible statistical techniques and after much comparative analysis
chose the one that gave optimal results. The Mixed Effects model, using the modules as random effects and the atmospheric conditions
as covariate was chosen. Data collected from experiments conducted and analyzed revealed some very interesting information.
The mixed Effects model was clearly consistent with PV calculations. The Model, using the atmospheric variables as covariates yielded
comprehensive results in its main effects and interaction plots. Using silicon as a test case, the model validated the research hypothesis
that there is an affordable outdoor methodology that can be developed to test quality and consistency in the energy output of PV
modules.
Cont’d on page 10
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
Page 10
ABTRACTS FROM RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DAY PRESENTATION CONT’D
Dr. Felix Akinladejo:
A case study of computer based physical therapy on a four postpost-acute stroke patients
Abstract
This research investigates the outcome of using a computer-based therapy program in ambulatory training for post-acute stroke
patients. Patients with stroke typically suffer dysfunctions that impair the complex set of motions involved in walking. The limited
amount of therapy and resources offered by the current health care system do not provide the frequency and intensity of training
needed for functional recovery of the walking skills in patients following stroke assaults. This non-traditional intervention research
technique therefore sought to develop an alternative method capable of providing the frequency and intensity needed for improving
the walking skills in post-acute stroke patients. The work also attempted to show how skills gained in virtual environments transfer to
the real world. The work employed the case study method to report the results observed from four post-acute stroke patients who
trained on the non-traditional intervention program for about half an hour per day, five days a week, for a period of four consecutive
weeks at the out-patient department of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Center. The patients performed a computer-based painting
exercise with their hemiplegic legs using a head-mounted display, and their gait variables were recorded and analyzed to determine
the usefulness of the program in ambulatory training for post-acute stroke patients. A follow up examination conducted one week after
the intervention sought to determine whether the patients could perform the skills learned on the computer-based intervention
program in the real world. The results of the research showed that all the patients improved on their gait parameters and could walk
better. An observational gait analysis conducted one week post-intervention showed that the skills gained in the virtual environment
transferred to real-world conditions. The study contributes to the current effort to provide wider access to therapeutic intervention
techniques using computer technology.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Loriane is a past
student of the
School of Computing and Information Technology and is now
a Business
Analyst at Business Intelligence, Inc. in Virginia. Prior to
her studies, Loriane attended
Hampton School where she
was successful in 8 CXC
subjects and 7 CAPE
subjects, which awarded her
a Diploma. With that zeal,
she went on to further her
studies at UTech, where she
completed a Bachelors
Degree in Computing and
Information Technology. She
graduated with First Class
Honors along with the
receiving the Presidents pin.
After working for a period of
time, she decided to take
another step up the
academic ladder by achieving
a Masters Degree in
Management Information
Systems at Nova Southeastern University in Florida,
2008.
Recognition
•
Loriane Barnett
tion to Hall A, UTECH
(2006)
•
•
•
Honor Roll in Bachelor’s
•
•
Resident Manager’s Award
•
Students’ Union Academic
Award of Excellence (2006)
•
Most Outstanding Contribu-
Involvements
Nominee, UTECH (2006)
•
Best Final Year Student of
Best Enterprise Computing
Best Full Time Computing &
Information Technology
Student, UTECH (2006)
of Excellence of Hall A,
UTECH (2005)
•
Derrick Dunn Award
Student Award, UTECH
(2006)
Degree Programme (2003 2006)
•
Commitment and Dedication to the Nova International Student Community
Award, NSU (2008)
Student of the Year
Engineering and Computing
Award, Jamaica Institution
of Engineers (JIE) (2006)
Best pass in Jamaica for
Received President’s PIN
for 3.88 GPA (2006)
•
Nominee, UTECH (2006)
Statistical Analysis at CAPE
A’Level (2002)
•
Resident Manager’s
Leadership Award, Hall A,
UTECH (2006)
•
(2006)
•
Treasurer - Hall A, UTECH
•
Secretary - Faculty of
Computing and Engineering, UTECH
•
Public Relations Officer Hall A, UTECH
•
Secretary and Treasurer Hall A, UTECH
•
Member of SCIT Football
Team, UTECH
Member of FUJITSU-IGL
CARIBBEAN (JM) LTD
Computing Best Major
Project Award, UTECH
Resident Assistant and
•
Member of Upsilon Pi
Epsilon Honor Society,
NSU Chapter
JANUARY—APRIL 2009
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
Page 11
THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS - LOCAL CHAPTER
The Faculty of
Engineering and
Computing was
proudly represented by two of its final
year students; Andrew
Thomas (Campus Captain)
and Marcel Wright (Campus
Coordinator), at the
National Society of Black
Engineers (NSBE) Convention. The 35th annual
National Convention was
held in Las Vegas, Nevada
from the 25th to 29th of
March 2009.
were represented from all
over the world. Other events
that made the conference a
worthwhile experience
were; International Mini
Conference (IMC), luncheons, workshops, a two day
career fair and live shows.
The convention was a great
opportunity to network,
develop career and lifetime
skills, make lasting friendships, and gain the experience of a lifetime.
chapter was awarded the
2009 Rookie Chapter of the
year at the 12th Annual
NSBE Golden Torch Awards.
Our Chapter at UTech,
Jamaica has attained great
achievements by registering
over one hundred and
twenty (120) new student
members as international
members of NSBE at our
launch in the engineering
conference room on
February 19, 2009.
The Convention kicked off
with a party, where all of
NSBE’s diverse heritages
The NSBE Annual National
Convention is designed to
provide academic and
The theme of the conference was to “Energize
Creativity to Achieve Exponential Growth”. The local
Andrew Thomas at one of the Convention
professional development
for students and professionals. In addition to engineering, NSBE members are
involved in a range of
technical fields including
mathematics, physics,
statistics, computer
science, and other applied
sciences. The society
provides their international
members with unparalleled
networking and development opportunities and
encourages their participation so that they may
benefit from the many
programs offered by NSBE
including scholarships,
professional development
workshops, and leadership
training.
The National Society of
Black Engineers (NSBE)
with more than 30,000
members is one of the
largest student managed
organizations in the
country. NSBE's mission is
“to increase the number of
culturally responsible Black
Engineers who excel
academically, succeed
professionally and positively
impact the community.”
We would like to take this medium to invite applications for
executive positions that are
currently available and to answer
questions of interests, persons
may feel free to contact Andrew
Thomas at 884-3634 or Marcel
Wright at 541-3965.
We are looking forward for your
continued support!
Marcel Wright flying a Boeing’s simulated
Helicopter