Modernizing SJPI as it turns 50

Management at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) is working tirelessly to erase “ignorant” stereotypes about the quality of education offered at the Pine, St Michael tertiary level institution.

According to chairman of the board of management, Shelton Perkins, there were still some Barbadians “making judgements from a position of ignorance”, about the school.

He was addressing a small gathering at the institute this morning, during the launch of an historic exhibition as part of the institute’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

From left, SJPI Library assistant, Annette Clarke officially opening the exhibition with principal Ian Drakes, librarian Julia Ward and chairman of the board of management Shelton Perkins.

The exhibition comprises a number of booths which showcase the journey of the half-century-old institution and points to its new direction in light of swift global advancements in technology.

In defence of the SJPI’s reputation, Perkins argued that it was quietly improving.

“The possibilities that this campus holds are almost infinite and we are developing several areas that lead to achievement in Barbados and among the students who come here. Therefore I see this exhibition as an attempt to let the secret out so that people can know what is happening and know what we’re doing,” said the chairman.

“Some people make judgements from a position of ignorance. So this exhibition, along with the open days and other things that are happening during this 50th year, serve to take people out of their ignorance with respect to this institute. It focuses on a variety of areas and it will serve to allow us to be inspired and to see the legacy that is the Samuel Jackman Institute of Technology,” he added.

 Principal Ian Drakes gave some insight into the advancements taking place at the SJPI.

“It’s exciting. We are transforming and modernizing our labs to meet the requisite industry demands. We are focusing on 3d printing which is one of the biggest buzzes happening across the world. Therefore we are getting ready to arm our students, the citizens of Barbados and beyond in these programmes.

“We are upgrading our garments department to get to a stage where you don’t have to be measured in the same way anymore. You can use a tablet and calculate the curves of the females. These are the kinds of technologies that the institution and management are really pushing,” said Drakes, who added that the exhibition was critical to a thorough understanding of the institute’s development over the last 50 years and its direction for the future.

He added that the institute was hosting a number of open sessions over the last four days to give secondary students and the wider public an opportunity to get an insider’s perspective on the institution’s development.

“It’s exciting, there’s been a buzz around the campus . . . as we are showcasing SJPI from a historical perspective, for persons to come in all year round and see as we evolve . . . . The future looks bright,” he said.