President of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica), Dr Kevin Brown, challenged secondary-school students to look beyond final examinations and begin thinking deliberately about the careers, businesses and futures they want to build.

Dr Brown gave this charge to approximately 100 student participants at the Young Scholars STEM Innovation Day event, held in partnership with UTech, Jamaica, at the institution’s Papine Campus on 20 August 2026.

Hosted under the theme “Innovate. Explore. Create. Inspire”, the event brought together high-school students, educators, technology enthusiasts, government and industry stakeholders for a day focused on STEM education, innovation and emerging technologies. The programme also featured expert presentations on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, as well as interactive demonstrations in robotics and drone technology. Students also had opportunities to engage with professionals and innovators while exploring pathways towards careers in STEM.

In his address, the UTech, Jamaica President told the students, “The destination is to build a career or to become an entrepreneur and run your own business. It is also about becoming financially independent.” He urged the students to identify their purpose early and allow it to guide their educational choices, skills development and career planning. Emphasising the growing importance of STEM in today’s rapidly changing world, Dr Brown encouraged the youngsters not simply to consume technology, but to learn to create with it, interrogate it and use it to solve real-world problems.

He reminded parents that technological advancement is transforming traditional occupations and creating new opportunities and, therefore, they should be open-minded about their children’s career aspirations and support them in whatever they choose to do.

For the Founder and Managing Director of Young Scholars Education Limited, Shanese Watson, the initiative is a celebration of “innovators, problem-solvers and aspiring leaders who will use STEM to shape Jamaica’s future.” She expressed gratitude to the University of Technology, Jamaica, the Ministry of National Security and Peace, along with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation, for partnering with Young Scholars Education Limited to host the event.

“Partnerships between academia, government, industry and young people are so important,” Miss Watson stated, adding, “when we bring these groups together, we create an environment where young people can see how the things they learn in school connect to the real world.” She also encouraged the participants to believe in their creative abilities.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr Moyan Martin, Project Manager, Ministry of National Security and Peace, reminded the students to consider their safety as they engage with new and exciting technologies.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a concern limited to IT professionals or large organizations. It is a responsibility we all share,” Martin said.

Drawing the participants’ attention to the increasingly complex nature of threats in the digital space, including cybercrime, online fraud and identity theft, Mr Martin stated, “The challenges we face in the digital space are constantly evolving, but these challenges also present an opportunity for you to become part of the solution.” He shared that the sector needs more than technically skilled professionals who are technologically savvy, excellent problem-solvers, analytical and creative.

Mr Martin shared that, through its recent partnership with Young Scholars Education Limited for its Cybersecurity Hackathon, along with the Jamaica Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy, SheSecures Jamaica and the CyberSMART School Campaign, the Ministry of National Security and Peace continues to strengthen cybersecurity awareness among Jamaica’s youth.

For his part, Mr Emil Holgate, Acting Chief Technical Director, Ministry of National Security and Peace, encouraged students to use the exposure gained through STEM Innovation Day as a starting point for identifying and solving problems in their schools, communities and wider society.