UTech president warns Jamaica’s STEM pipeline is too thin for university demand

Jamaica’s tertiary education system is facing a serious intake problem, with too few students leaving high school qualified for university study, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. University of Technology president Dr Kevin Brown raised the concern at the launch of UTech’s 2026 STEM Summer Camp, warning that the country could later struggle to find enough scientists, engineers and technology professionals.

Brown said the numbers show a narrow pool of eligible applicants. He noted that about 30,000 high school students sit CSEC, but only 6,000 earn five passes with mathematics and English included. Those same students, he said, are being sought by the University of the West Indies, UTech, the Caribbean Maritime University and teachers’ colleges.

“UTech alone wants 3,000. That's half the amount that qualify. So, you have a pipeline issue,” Brown said.

The university president said early exposure to STEM is one way to help widen that pipeline. The summer camp is aimed at high school students and uses practical learning, innovation and problem-solving activities to make STEM subjects feel more engaging, useful and connected to daily life.

Organisers also want the camp to help students prepare for a labour market increasingly shaped by digital tools and advanced technology, while strengthening the group of qualified applicants available to universities. The 2026 staging will be the third time UTech is hosting the STEM Summer Camp.

Brown said Jamaica’s ambition to become stronger in STEM will depend heavily on mathematics. He said young people must be encouraged before they reach university age to see maths as a base for careers in science, technology and engineering.