Masterbuilders president calls for more construction research
published: Friday | April 7, 2006

The Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) hosted its annual dinner and awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Saturday. Here guest speaker Prof. E. Nigel Harris (left), vice chancellor, University of the West Indies, raps with Gentle Wallace (centre), second vice-president of IMAJ, and Al Muir, life member of IMAJ. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER

MICHAEL ARCHER, president of the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), has appealed for more research and innovations in the construction sector.

Mr. Archer made the call during the IMAJ's annual dinner and awards ceremony, held Saturday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

"The student population of the University of the West Indies grew 15,000 this year, but we only turn out approximately 150 engineers," he said. "When I was a student 30-odd years ago, there were 120 graduates coming out of St. Augustine. And, we lose 85 per cent of our graduates to developed countries."

Mr. Archer added: "The IMAJ is calling for more research from all universities regarding the issue of construction material, innovations to ensure better results in the use of raw materials and the development of new construction methods and technologies."

He noted that the IMAJ was trying to do its own part to facilitate this increase in research and innovations.