The Jamaica Olympic Association, the University of Technology, in Jamaica, and the University of Birmingham, UK, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement aims to help further collaboration and celebrate the historic links between the two countries. It highlights the potential to support academic collaborations, initially across engineering. It also acts as a mechanism to create opportunities for more detailed collaboration in other areas, for example expanding educational programmes for athletes, coaches and administrators, or creating new scholarships and research opportunities.
The historic signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the Jamaica Olympic Association and the University of Birmingham ... is more than expression of co-operation and mutuality in sport for it coalesces the vision of two respected institutions in their joint mission of informing, educating and enlightening.
In liaison with University of Birmingham Sport and the Graduate School of Sport & Professional Practice, the collaboration will also explore opportunities to offer joint funding and internship programmes to support athletes with their careers after they retire from sports.
With the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games just a day away, the signing ceremony formed part of a wider dinner event with members from the JOA, Jamaican Commonwealth Team athletes as well as other dignitaries and guests. This dinner, co-hosted and organised with the Jamaica National Group was also attend by His Excellency Mr. Seth George Ramocan, CD, the Jamaican High Commissioner.
Professor Tim Jones, Provost and Vice-Principal at the University of Birmingham said: “Ahead of the London Olympic Games in 2012 the University was proud to host the Jamaican Athletes Training Camp as well as various events for the Jamaican UK community. Now as we play a crucial role in helping to host athletes from across the Commonwealth for Birmingham 2022 it is wonderful to be able deepen our existing relationship with the Jamaica Olympic Association.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding signifies the start of a new chapter of collaboration and support between the University and the JOA. I am delighted to be able to be part of this historic moment, helping to build lasting relationships between the University and international athletes and sports associations to further cement Birmingham as a centre of excellence for sports.”
Christopher Samuda, President of the Jamaica Olympic Association said: "The JOA's vision for sport goes beyond the confines of national boundaries in building capacity and professional and career opportunities while advancing scientific-based knowledge of the human mind and body in understanding their character and functions in sport. The historic signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the Jamaica Olympic Association and the University of Birmingham will promote all of these and much more. It is more than expression of co-operation and mutuality in sport for it coalesces the vision of two respected institutions in their joint mission of informing, educating and enlightening."
Provost and Vice-Principal
Professor Tim Jones joined the University as Provost and Vice-Principal on 1st September 2016.
