Miss Mylène Ferriera (left), President, Alliance Française de la Jamaïque and Dr. Kevin Brown (2nd left), President, University of Technology, Jamaica, cut the ribbon to officially open the new offices of the Alliance Française at the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus on Friday, March 20, 2026. Sharing in the occasion are Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith (third right), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Her Excellency Marianne Ziss (right), French Ambassador to Jamaica; and Senator the Honourable Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.
The Alliance Française de la Jamaïque opened its new location at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) Papine Campus on Friday, March 20, 2026. Housed within the university’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), this new home positions the entity at the heart of innovation, research and academic excellence. The strategic relocation also marks an important step in strengthening educational and cultural ties between Jamaica and the Francophone world.
The official opening ceremony which coincided with the observance of International Day of La Francophonie, brought together government officials, educators, members of the diplomatic corps and the Francophone community to witness the significant milestone.
Founded in 1959, the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque has played a central role in French language education and cultural exchange on the island for nearly seventy years. The institution offers French courses for learners of all ages and levels, from beginners discovering the language for the first time to students preparing for internationally recognised certifications. Through experienced teachers, engaging classes and cultural programming, the Alliance Française provides a welcoming environment where language learning is closely connected to cultural discovery. Its mission is to promote the French language while encouraging dialogue, curiosity and understanding between cultures.
In her greetings, Her Excellency Marianne Ziss, French Ambassador to Jamaica, stated that the relocation of the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque to the TIC is both “pragmatic” and “forward-looking.” She described the move as a celebration of “a shared ambition” between Alliance Française and the University of Technology, Jamaica which brings Jamaica and France together through education, culture, and shared values.
The Ambassador also revealed plans by the organization, through the French Embassy, to introduce the celebration of La Fête de la Musique, as well as specialized training in diplomatic French to professionals, in partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Emphasizing the power of language in bridging cultures, Miss Mylène Ferriera, President, Alliance Française, noted, “We are giving Jamaicans the tool to speak to the heart of 300 million people worldwide,” noting that French is now “the fourth most spoken language in the world” and a gateway to international engagement.
Miss Ferriera stated that, at its new home at the TIC, the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque will serve as a comprehensive cultural and educational hub. “It’s our window open to the world,” she stated, adding, “It’s also a home for literature, with our French literary collection upstairs where young students can borrow French comic books or more advanced students can explore the richness of French literature.” She shared that the organization will also continue to promote local artists through the staging of events such as the Film of the Month initiative and the Library Series.
Commenting on the strong bilateral relationship between Jamaica and France, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, noted, “Today’s ceremony reflects the strong bonds of friendship that Jamaica and the Republic of France have forged since the establishment of diplomatic relations,” pointing to areas of collaboration in trade, climate change, and disaster recovery. She also expressed gratitude for France’s “swift and compassionate response” in providing humanitarian aid to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Senator Johnson Smith further welcomed current and upcoming initiatives through the Embassy aimed at strengthening language capacity and educational exchange, such as training opportunities for Jamaican French teachers and diplomats. “I am so pleased to know that these plans are coming to fruition…the programme will undoubtedly equip the participants with a richer understanding and appreciation for the French language and culture,” she stated.
Senator the Honourable Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills Youth and Information, applauded the partnership between the university and the Alliance Française. He noted that technological advancements have made language learning more accessible and encouraged greater engagement by students, educators and the public with opportunities through the Alliance Française. “This current period is a better period than any before to be more immersed in language…and become proficient in the learning of French,” he said, pointing to opportunities for studying and working abroad.
Also addressing the ceremony, Everton Hannam, Secretary-General of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, stated that housing the Alliance Francaise at the TIC “situates language and culture within a dynamic ecosystem of innovation, research, and enterprise.” Mr. Hannam who was representing The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, shared that the move is a “bold step” which reinforces the role of cultural exchange as “an essential pillar of sustainable development.”
The presence of the Alliance Française at the Technology Innovation Centre, along with the university’s enduring partnership with the French Embassy, is expected to attract new learners and provide students with greater access to global opportunities. Established in 2002, the TIC is the first business incubator in the English-speaking Caribbean. It supports the growth of start-ups through the provision of thriving business environments, mentorship and business development services. The TIC has supported the development of over 300 start-ups into successful businesses, several of which are owned by UTech, Jamaica students, and alumni.
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Dr. Kevin Brown (left), President, University of Technology, Jamaica holds the door open for Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith (right), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Her Excellency Marianne Ziss (directly behind the Minister), Ambassador of France to Jamaica as they enter the new office of the Alliance Française at the Technology Innovation Centre at the university’s Papine Campus following an official opening ceremony on Friday, March 20, 2026.
An attentive audience observes the proceedings during the official opening ceremony for the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque’s new office at the University of Technology, Jamaica’s Technology Innovation Centre, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Pictured in the front row from left are Senator the Honourable Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secrtary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Her Excellency Marianne Ziss, Ambassador of France to Jamaica, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foriegn Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Miss Mylène Ferriera, President,
Alliance Française, Professor Shermaine Barrett, Deputy President and Provost, UTech, Jamaica and Mrs. Andrea Bolton-Fyffe, Incubator Manager, Technology Innovation Centre.
(L-R) Engaged in a conversation inside the new office of the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque at the Technology Innovation Centre, following the opening ceremony at held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at UTech, Jamaica, Papine Campus are Mr. Everton Hannam, Secretary-General of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Clovis Lemèe, Director of Studies, Alliance Française, Mrs. Andrea Bolton-Fyffe, Incubator Manager, Technology Innovation Centre, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Miss Mylène Ferriera, President, Alliance Française, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and Her Excellency Marianne Ziss, French Ambassador to Jamaica.
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
Email: [email protected]
