Some 2,500 students could get an opportunity to pursue tertiary-level training if the Government approves the University of Technology's (UTech) bid to lease the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium and facilities for use as its western campus.

The university expects to double the initial student population to 5,000 by 2012.

In a proposal to the Government, obtained by The Gleaner, the institution's president, Professor Errol Morrison, told Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange that expanding the school's student population was an urgent matter.

No space

"UTech must expand its student enrolment to improve its financing to meet its new status as an independent university and a corresponding reduction in its subsidy from Government. The western campus is, therefore, a crucial area of UTech's plan," Morrison told the culture, youth and sports minister.

"Currently, there are 2,500 students from western Jamaica who have matriculated, but space prevents their acceptance," UTech said in its proposal, noting that the applicants were for business, nursing, tourism and hospitality, engineering, pharmacy, law and architecture.

Morrison, in the proposal, said the school's objective was to develop a full university campus in western Jamaica "as a matter of extreme urgency, and to grow into a major tertiary institution in the west".

Outside competition

Last week, Grange told The Gleaner that the UTech's proposal was facing competition from United States-based professional teams from the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. But the minister pointed out that the university's proposal was not incompatible with the ministry's desire to promote sports tourism.

In case the Government was scared by the notion of funding the school's ambitious proposal, Morrison made it clear that the university was not seeking financial aid. "UTech will in no way be expecting additional governmental revenue for development of this campus, as all these courses are self-sustaining." He added: "Further, from its own resources, UTech is advancing $250 million to cover capital expenses to year three, when the business proposal indicates our books will be in the black."

The professor also argued that the acquisition of the stadium would lend importance to the major developmental role the university intended to lead in the areas of sports and sports tourism.

According to Morrison, the university did not plan to hog the stadium. "UTech will make available the use of the stadium for all national and international events in sports, entertainment, cultural activities, etc, as required," read another section of the second missive.

The proposal also included making the stadium available to schools, churches, clubs and hotel and business communities.

If the lease is approved, the university would begin with the rooming provisions currently in place at the facility and then gradually build out on adjacent lands. Professor Morrison also pointed out that there would be spin-offs for employment in the west, as well as a reduction in rural-urban drift.

Also included in the proposal was a projection that the school would be in full swing in about three years, with some 5,000 students, plus 800 faculty, administrative and support staff.

The professor also sought to assure the minister that UTech Jamaica West would not interfere or duplicate the Urban Development Corporation proposal for a mega-sports complex at Caymanas in St Catherine.

When The Gleaner contacted Morrison, he said he was waiting anxiously for a decision.

The academic said the new campus was "perfectly able to start in September".

"The west is thirsty for tertiary education," said Morrison with unbridled enthusiasm.

He also revealed that the UTech had already applied to the Chinese for help with the development of sports in the area.

Still, five months after the first correspondence and four months before the start of the new school year, the university is still awaiting a response.

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com