KINGSTON, Jamaica — Students at the University of Technology (UTech) will now have access to a cooler and more comfortable space at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium after a group of alumni of the institution’s former College of Arts Science and Technology (CAST) donated $3.6 million worth of cooling equipment.

Courtesy of the class of 1973-74 known as the “Groundation” alumni group, the cooling system, which comprises two large commercial-grade ceiling fans and two portable evaporative coolers, was officially handed over to the university during a ceremony on Friday, June 27.

The commissioning was conducted by a five-member delegation from the Groundation group, joined by members of the university’s leadership.

UTech President Dr Kevin Brown expressed profound appreciation to the Groundation team, describing the alumni contribution as a timely and impactful upgrade to the university’s infrastructure that will be of significant benefit.

“This is going to be a game-changer for us, especially with orientation coming up in August,” said Brown, highlighting the excessive heat typically experienced inside the auditorium during the summer months.

“The equipment will enable better temperature control inside the auditorium, making it more comfortable for hosting sporting activities, official university functions and student-led events,” he stated.

Brown further applauded the alumni group for the swift execution of the project, noting, “I was really encouraged by the speed at which the team was able to raise the funds for the project.”

He urged the team to continue its contribution to the university’s development, saying, “There is a lot of change happening across the institution, but we cannot do it on our own.”

Vice President & Chief Operations and Projects Officer at UTech, Professor Garfield Young, assured the team that his division is “committed to monitoring the use of the equipment”. He reiterated thanks to the Groundation group for the donation and for their “excellent show of support and commitment” to the university.

Project Lead and CAST/UTech Groundation alumni member, Eric Crawford, explained that the initiative came into being at one of the group’s recent reunions.

“We said to ourselves, instead of just a meet and greet, let’s do something meaningful with enduring benefit for the university that is so dear to us,” Crawford said.

He shared that following a session with Dr Kevin Brown, where the president outlined the institution’s vision to the alumni, the group sprang into action, raising approximately $5.5 million towards the auditorium cooling project.

“We only drew down what we immediately needed — $3.6 million for the purchase and installation of the equipment, which was installed with support from alumni. Upon testing the units today, we are satisfied that they are working effectively and that UTech has the expertise to operate and maintain them,” Crawford said.

He also noted that the initiative sets a benchmark for other alumni groups to see how they can assist with the development of various aspects of the university’s infrastructure and hopes that it will inspire them to act.

“The Groundation group lives on and we are energised and keen to do more,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Benjamin, deputy executive director of Guardsman Group, who was representing his father, CAST/UTech alumnus, Kenny Benjamin, who contributed the largest sum to the cooling project initiative, noted that giving back to the university was a no-brainer for his dad.

“It’s been very clear to me that he views education as one of the cornerstones of success…He is at a point now where he feels as though he wants to give back to the people and the institution that gave him the start that he had in Jamaica. When he was approached to play a role in filling a need that existed at UTech, he was happy to do it,” he said.

Benjamin contributed US$10,000 to the project and continues to support other development initiatives at the university.

Dr. Kevin Brown (4th left), President, University of Technology, Jamaica turns on the power switch, putting into commission for the first time, newly installed commercial size ceiling fans and evaporative cooling units inside the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the UTech, Jamaica, Papine Campus which were officially donated to the university by the CAST/UTech Groundation Alumni group on Friday, June 27, 2025. Observing the commissioning (l-r) are Professor Garfield Young, Vice President & Chief Operations and Projects Officer, UTech, Jamaica and other members of the Groundation team, Mr. Louis Parkins, Mr. Eric Crawford, Mr. Nicholas Benjamin, Deputy Executive Director, Guardsman Group, representing his father, alumnus Hon. Kenny Benjamin, Executive Chairman, Guardsman Group, along with Mr. Cuthbert Lloyd and Reverend Jim Parkes.

One of the two newly installed commercial-grade Big Ass ceiling fans inside the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus which were donated by the CAST/UTech Groundation Alumni. The fans along with two portable evaporative coolers which were procured and installed at the tune of $3.6 million dollars by the CAST/UTech, Groundation Alumni were officially handed over to the university on Friday, June 27, 2025.

Reverend Dr. Jim Parkes, member of the Groundation Alumni group blesses the newly installed cooling equipment during the official handing over and commissioning ceremony at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, UTech, Jamaica, Papine Campus on Friday, June 27, 2025.