Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, is welcoming a partnership between the University of Technology (UTech) and Alliance Française de la Jamaïque for the hosting of the French language school on the institution’s Papine campus.
Alliance Française is now located at UTech’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), creating a hub for cultural and linguistic exchange.
The partnership offers students and the wider public access to specialised French language classes, cultural activities, and internationally recognised certifications, greatly enhancing language skills and professional opportunities.
Addressing the official inauguration ceremony on Friday (March 20) Minister Johnson Smith expressed pleasure at the development.
“It will undoubtedly equip the participants with a richer understanding of and an appreciation for the French language and culture, as well as improve proficiency in the language, enhancing capacity to guide our students in their learning journey,” she noted.
The Minister said that in addition to cooperation in language training, Jamaica and France have collaborated in many areas that are relevant to national development, including sports, trade and investment, disaster relief and recovery, climate change, water and infrastructure.
“The French commercial presence here is actually quite strong,” she pointed out.
The Minister said that Jamaica remains deeply appreciative of the Government of France’s swift and compassionate response to the country’s immediate needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
She expressed gratitude for the donation of critical humanitarian items, including water treatment and production units, energy equipment, hygiene kits, and emergency supplies.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Marlon Morgan, in his remarks, said that the partnership between UTech and Alliance Française will complement the French language offerings in the public education system.
“As a Government, we place a premium on expanding the horizons of our students and we trust that this association… will be a mutually rewarding and fulfilling collaboration,” he said.
President of UTech, Dr. Kevin Brown, for his part, said there is opportunity for students to not only learn French but to pursue further studies in France through cultural exchanges.
“We are, therefore, providing more than just a space here at our Papine campus. There is a lot of cultural exchange that we also expect to happen,” he pointed out.
Founded in 1959, the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque has played a central role in promoting French language education and cultural exchange in Jamaica.
The relocation to UTech will further enhance opportunities for collaboration, language learning, and cultural engagement.
