Fri | Dec 12, 2025

Clarke engages university leaders on strengthening US/C’bean ties

Published:Friday | April 25, 2025 | 12:09 AM
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Dr Kevin Brown, president of the University of Technology, Jamaica, hosted a special courtesy call with US Congresswoman DrYvette Clarke (left) and former New York City Councilwoman Dr Una S. Clarke (not in photo) on Thursday, April 17 at the university’
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Dr Kevin Brown, president of the University of Technology, Jamaica, hosted a special courtesy call with US Congresswoman DrYvette Clarke (left) and former New York City Councilwoman Dr Una S. Clarke (not in photo) on Thursday, April 17 at the university’s Papine campus.
Dr Kevin Brown, president, University of Technology, Jamaica, presents a delighted US Congresswoman, Dr Yvette Clarke, with a branded gift bag of university memorabilia during a courtesy call held at the President’s Conference Room, UTech, Jamaica Papine
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Dr Kevin Brown, president, University of Technology, Jamaica, presents a delighted US Congresswoman, Dr Yvette Clarke, with a branded gift bag of university memorabilia during a courtesy call held at the President’s Conference Room, UTech, Jamaica Papine campus, on Thursday, April 17.
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US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke has acknowledged the ongoing contributions of Jamaican educational institutions to the United States, particularly in training professionals such as nurses and educators who have helped fill critical labour gaps, and has expressed her desire to deepen the relationships and partnerships.

She spoke during a special courtesy call on Dr Kevin Brown, president of the University of Technology, on Thursday, April 17 at the university’s Papine campus.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who has represented New York’s 9th Congressional District since 2013 and currently serves as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, was accompanied by her parents, Leslie Clarke and Dr Una Clarke, who is recognised as the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the New York City Council, where she served from 1992 to 2001.

Dr Brown was joined by members of the university’s management teams in welcoming the distinguished guests.

Clarke noted, “Education is the sweet spot where we can engage diplomatically, where grants and support can be given. We are not there yet, but it will be coming.” She added, “I will be talking with my colleague from New York, Gregory Meeks, who represents Queens, a district with a large Caribbean population and who understands the region well. He has jurisdiction over foreign affairs and recognises that there needs to be a reset of the Caribbean around its growth needs. Education is at the heart of that reset.”

“We have benefited tremendously from your institutions. The question is: what can we do now to help support your growth and development in a way that is mutually beneficial to both institutions, students, and countries?” she added.

She further highlighted gaps in medical research involving people of African descent. “Much of the health research in the US is still centred on white populations, with the assumption that outcomes will translate to black communities, and that doesn’t always align,” stated Congresswoman Clarke. She emphasised the need for more clinical trials involving people of African descent and noted the potential for building partnerships in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

“I serve on a committee in the House of Representatives that oversees everything from clinical trials to pharmaceuticals and healthcare; I’m open to starting conversations in Washington, DC, to strengthen these relationships,” Congresswoman Clarke stated.

Both Dr Una Clarke and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke are recipients of honorary doctorates from UTech, Jamaica, awarded in 2005 and 2019 respectively.

The visit was facilitated by Carol Archer, professor of urban and regional planning in the Faculty of The Built Environment at UTech. Professor Archer holds a PhD and MPhil in Political Science from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, where she specialised in urban politics, public policy, housing, and community development. Her doctoral thesis explored the political impact of Caribbean immigrants in New York City, with a focus on their influence at the community level.

Inspired by the pioneering leadership of Dr Una Clarke who was the first elected official from the Caribbean at the time, Professor Archer’s research examined how Clarke’s legacy was shaped through the establishment of critical community institutions. These included daycare centres, political clubs, and schools such as Medgar Evers College, a member of the CUNY system named in honour of civil rights activist Medgar Wiley Evers.

Dr. Kevin Brown welcomed the idea of deeper partnerships and support, especially in areas critical to national development. He noted for example, “infrastructural deficits, particularly in our nursing school,” adding that “If opportunities can be created to support those needs, it would be transformative.” Dr. Brown further stated that “We are also very interested in student exchanges. There may be students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the US who would want to immerse themselves in study at UTech, Jamaica.”

The meeting concluded with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke affirming that “the conversation will continue.” Dr Kevin Brown expressed the university’s commitment to building on this engagement to strengthen mutually beneficial academic and collaborative empowerment opportunities through ongoing dialogue and partnership.