The Department of Physics at the University of the West Indies (UWI) recently announced a new collaborative initiative with the UWI's School of Continuing Studies at Camp Road, to offer a programme aimed at helping to produce technical graduates to meet the needs of the Jamaica and Caribbean electronics and communications engineering industries. The curriculum, which is designed to equip persons with skills in the creation and management of modern electronics systems, will begin in January 2007.

According to the director of the School of Continuing Studies, Professor Lawrence Carrington, "Although the programme is not a UWI matriculation programme, it is designed to attract persons who require a recognised technical qualification in electronic engineering, including recent high school leavers, and experienced but uncertified persons working in industries such as electronics engineering, IT, automotive engineering, manufacturing, television production, and defence and security. The Physics-SCS partnership is among the first to bring these principles to the lifelong learning classroom, giving students from all walks of life early exposure to influential and emerging technologies."

The head of the Department of Physics explains that "Students will be asked to complete projects and demonstrate their skills and abilities on an ongoing basis throughout the programme." Students will select, calibrate, and operate appropriate electronic test equipment; perform advanced testing procedures on consumer electronic products; perform major troubleshooting procedures on consumer electronic products; and perform major repairs on consumer electronic products.

All interested students please apply before December 8, in person at the School of Continuing Studies, 2a Camp Road, Kingston 4. Tel.: (876) 926-2246-7 or (876) 920-5290 Fax: (876) 920-1622; email: scscmprd@uwimona.edu.jm. Or visit the website: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/physics/courses/CEE/index.php or email at electronics@uwimona.edu.jm.