NEPA Signs MoU With UTech

March 19, 2014

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has strengthened its partnership with the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Thursday, March 13.

The MOU will facilitate cooperation and the sharing of information regarding natural resource management and spatial planning.

The specific areas of cooperation under the MoU include research projects to determine the status of critically endangered species and improve the quality of wastewater treatment, public consultations, staff development and training and public education.

Peter Knight, Chief Executive Officer of NEPA said the MoU was in keeping with the Agency’s thrust to bolster ties with the academic community so as to increase NEPA’s use of evidence-based information in its operations.

“We anticipate good outcomes from this partnership and by extension planning and environmental benefits for the country that will lead to better social and economic value for all its citizens,” said Mr. Knight.

In his remarks, Professor Errol Morrison, President of UTech, Jamaica said the institution is excited about the new partnership with the nation’s premier environmental and planning regulatory body.

“We are one of the leaders in research in the region and we are happy to partner with NEPA. UTech is on a trajectory for development and this MoU aligns perfectly with the strategic vision for the university.”

NEPA’s MoU with UTech follows a similar agreement with the University of the West Indies signed in 2011. The NEPA-UTech MoU is initially valid for five years but may be extended.

Chief Executive Officer at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Peter Knight (right) joins Professor Errol Morrison, President of the University of Technology, Jamaica in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, March 13 to formalize the mutually beneficial relationship between the two entities. The MoU facilitates cooperation and the sharing of information regarding natural resource management and spatial planning. The signing took place at NEPA’s head office on Caledonia Avenue in Kingston.

Peter Knight (right), Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) addresses the media before signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica. Looking on is Professor Errol Morrison, President of UTech.

Please click for further details on the MoU