Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, is highlighting the critical role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in advancing Jamaica鈥檚 national security strategy and broader development agenda.
Speaking during Wednesday鈥檚 (June 25) launch of the University of Technology (UTech) STEM Summer Camp at the institution鈥檚 Western Campus in Montego Bay, St. James, Dr. Chang highlighted how mathematical theory is already being applied in Jamaica鈥檚 national security framework.
He referenced the audit sets theory, which encompasses auditing and financial accounting frameworks used to understand criminal behaviour, offering insights into why individuals commit financial crimes and the systemic factors enabling them.
Dr. Chang also highlighted the success of Commissioner of Police, Dr. Kevin Blake, as a prime example of how scientific thinking and data-driven strategies are transforming national policing 鈥 underscoring Jamaica鈥檚 shift towards intelligence-led crime fighting.
He also emphasised the urgent need to equip more young Jamaicans with STEM skills to drive innovative, data-informed change.
The Minister encouraged students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while urging UTech to expand its engineering output to meet national development demands.
鈥淚鈥檇 like UTech to turn out 2,000 engineers per year. That鈥檚 what countries like Singapore have done. With a population not much larger than Jamaica鈥檚, they trained 10,000 engineers and now boast a per capita income of US$80,000.
Dr. Chang, who is also Member of parliament for St. James North Western, announced that, through his constituency scholarship fund, he is fully covering tuition costs for students pursuing studies in mathematics.
鈥淲e need more people doing mathematics. That鈥檚 how we transform our society 鈥搕hrough analytical, data-driven operations in all areas, including government and policing,鈥 he emphasised.
The Minister added that Jamaica鈥檚 compact size presents unique opportunities for agile innovation and accelerated STEM advancement.
鈥淲e鈥檙e the third largest English-speaking country in the Western Hemisphere. With our talent and intellectual capacity, we can create a strong, creative community and lay the foundation for prosperity,鈥 Dr. Chang pointed out.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to supporting UTech鈥檚 STEM initiatives and commended the University for empowering young Jamaicans to spearhead the nation鈥檚 scientific and technological progress.
鈥淲e must provide the ecosystem for scientific growth and innovation. That鈥檚 how we ensure a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Jamaica,鈥 Dr. Chang declared.