The opening of the computer laboratory marks another step in the parternship that has been established between the Jamaica Teachers Association and Nova Southeastern University (NSU). The Lab will be used by NSU students and will also be available to the JTA to be used in its computer training programme for teachers in the Western Region.

NSU has been in Jamaica for over 20 years offering alternative opportunities for professionals to obtain degrees through its School of Business. Since the last five years, the Fischler Graduate School of Education has been offering a Doctorate in Education programme in collaboration with Mico Teachers' College. Since February of this year, NSU has been offering a Masters Degree programme in collaboration with the J.T.A. There are two cohorts of students, one in Montego Bay and the other in Kingston.

Mr. Jasper Lawrence, Regional Director, Ministry of Education and Culture and Mrs. Camella Rhone, Director General Ministry of Industry , Commerce & Technology brought greetings on behalf of their respective Ministries.

Mr. Troy Robinson, Programme Professor at the Nova South Eastern University spoke of the close relationship between the JTA and Nova Southeastern University. He pledged the university's commitment to continuous collaboration with the J.T.A.

Secretary General of the JTA Dr. Adolph Cameron , spoke of the JTA'S commitment to having the Teachers trained in Information Technology . He commended Mrs. Evelyn Tugwell, JTA'S Regional Officer for the Western Region and Mr. Michael Clarke President of the St. James Parish Association for their proposal to establish this laboratory for Teachers in the Western Region.

He suggested that Teachers should be on the cutting edge so that they can be ahead of their students.

Mr .Samuel Bowen, Managing Director of the Caribbean Institute of Technology who was the guest speaker at the function said that the workplace has been revolutionized because of Technology. He reiterated that a new work order has been created and teachers will have a critical role to play in training the workforce.