KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of Technology will be honouring the Jamaican music industry with its Chancellor’s Medal, at a gala event scheduled for the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston on Saturday night, December 7.

Highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Chancellor’s Medal, by former Prime Minister and current Chancellor of the institution, Edward Seaga, to the recipient. 

An individual representing the local music industry will accept the medal on its behalf, after which it will be stored at the Jamaica Music Museum, Institute of Jamaica under the watchful eyes of curator, Herbie Miller.

The award is being made to the Jamaican music industry “in recognition of the global impact of Jamaican popular music, particularly over the past 50 years”.

The UTech Chancellor’s Medal is equal in status to an honorary doctorate from the university, with comparative prestige, and is awarded by the Chancellor to recognize contributions which are of national or international significance.

The red carpet gala event will include the viewing of an exhibition highlighting 50 years of Jamaican music, followed by a presentation ceremony featuring a citation on Jamaican music and the industry.

The presentation ceremony will incorporate the creative forms of music, speech, dance and drama in a specially produced segment, with Desi Jones as music director and Junior Lincoln as producer.

The segment will highlight the different genres of Jamaican popular music spanning the last 50 years.

There will also be a concert backed by a band comprising veteran musicians, featuring young artistes such as Tarrus Riley, Singing Melody, Mr Vegas and Mijan, as well as the comedy group, No Maddz, covering musical excerpts from the past. 

Previous winners of the UTech Chancellor’s Medal include Stephen Francis and Asafa Powell.