“Within the current Jamaican landscape there is no area more suitable than Mandeville that can be considered a University town. If we should build a Silicon Mountain, Mandeville will be productive not just for Jamaica and the Caribbean but the world would be a better place with all the products and services that we could offer.” Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU’s) president, Dr Trevor Gardner,

There is slow and steady trek taking place of businesses moving from Kingston and other parts of the island to Silicon Mountain, Mandeville and from all indications this trend is going to pick up momentum in the coming months.

The move is in line with the call for Silicon Mountain Mandeville to be transformed into an internationally recognized university town with the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) at it centre.

NCU continues to gain international acclaim for its student work in technology, and respect as one of the country’s premier tertiary institutions. NCU however is not just another tertiary institution within the Jamaican landscape, but an internationally recognized and acclaimed tertiary institution that is able to compete with the world and continues to research and present in tangible areas which is directly impacting the nation and its people helping to position Jamaica in a positive light.

But why Silicon Mountain Mandeville you may ask? Well this central Jamaica parish is seen as one of the more affluent in the country, with a number of prominent businesses and institutions either originating there, or opening branches there. The town of Mandeville, located in the heart of Jamaica is the home of community tourism which is an alternative to the “sun and sand” tourism experience. Mandeville the parish capital sits on a plateau at 2061 feet, for which it is known as the “coolest town in Jamaica” and is the only parish capital not located near a river or on a coastal plain.

Silicon Mountain Mandeville is replete with sprawling houses and high-end apartment complexes and continues to attract professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and returning residents. A number of the island’s government officials and heads of prominent public and private organizations call the parish home.

Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU’s) president, Dr Trevor Gardner,

Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU’s) president, Dr Trevor Gardner, has also joined the clarion call for Mandeville to become a University town in short order.

Dr Gardner, who was speaking at a recent Rotary Club of Mandeville meeting, proposed that the growth of NCU and other tertiary institutions in the central parish can easily aid in building Mandeville as a ‘Silicon Mountain.’

Also making the call is Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Derby, director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).  At a recent Manchester Chamber of Commerce banquet he endorsed Mandeville as an ideal location for the growth on investments in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Derby, director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA)

“The air transport industry can be a significant driver of the economy. Airplanes are about sixty percent Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Mandeville has an institution that is a world leading developer in the field.” He continued, “Were this mission of developing an international airport in Clarendon to come to fruition, this ICT industry will be able to employ thousands of persons directly and indirectly. Manchester as a parish would flourish with the influx of development, as investors could be easily drawn to the salubrious climate where they can make their homes.”

“There are only about six countries that can be used as transit to the United Kingdom, USA, and Canada and Jamaica is one of the most ideal of the six. So to have long haul and heavy passenger flights coming through Jamaica, our international airport will need to be approximately 14,000 feet long and the two existing airports are not able to be adjusted for that requirement.” He concluded.

Member of Parliament for Central Manchester Peter Bunting

Member of Parliament for Central Manchester Peter Bunting is also joining the call. He is reported to have said that given NCU’s worldwide recognition — especially in information technology — coupled with its academic offerings and those of other tertiary and secondary institutions, Mandeville could become a centre of excellence not just for ICT, but for knowledge- and health-based industries.

“With knowledge and technology being the centerpiece of economic advantage and global competitiveness, many countries have invested in the so-called knowledge cities to increase their competitiveness and attract investment,” he said, noting that cities such as Barcelona in Spain and Melbourne in Australia have pushed their resources into scientific research and innovative technological development.

Bunting said education, health services and information and communication technologies (ICT), would form the hub of this centre of excellence. “If we get these up and running, many other industries would come out of them…,” the MP said.

Mayor of Mandeville, Brenda Ramsey

Mayor of Mandeville, Brenda Ramsey has also called for changes to be made to some of the archaic legislation still on the books. “If we are able to do all of this, not only will we be able to capture the investment, but the citizens will be able to enjoy a better quality of life… and then and only then can we truly boast that Manchester is the place of choice to live, work, play and learn.,” she said.

For Silicon Mountain Mandeville to become a university town, it’s clear that those in authority must first have the will and vision to bring this from concept to reality.

(Compiled from published sources)

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