The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at UWI, Mona yesterday (March 5, 2009) launched the first Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation product in Jamaica at the Senior Common Room, UWI, Mona. Director of Mona GeoInformatics Institute, Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee noted that the launch of the GPS Navigation in Jamaica brings Jamaica on par with other countries such as the United States. He said the system would be especially useful to the diplomatic community whose members are accustomed to the availability of such technology to meet their navigational needs. He added that other groups such as the transportation sector and rental car companies could reap benefits from the GPS Navigation.

The MGI GPS Navigation is designed to meet a wide range of navigational needs by providing a detailed dataset of over 10, 000 km of navigable roads including major highways, principal highways, arterial roads, residential roads and alleys in Jamaica. It also highlights over 10,000 points of interests in 69 categories including gas stations, airports, banking/ finance services, entertainment locations, schools, shopping centres, hotels, police station, transportation centres and utilities.  The GPS Navigation is ideal for the average road user as it allows calculation of faster/shorter routes and alternative routes in the event of a road block while allowing the user never to get lost, thereby saving time and money and reducing security risks related to getting lost.

Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee emphasized the need to use the GPS Navigation responsibly while driving to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.

The GPS Unit is distributed locally by GARMIN, but users have the option of loading the basic or premium data to their own unit.

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute is a subsidiary of UWI, Mona specializing in providing technical and analytical information technology services to UWI, the private and public sector.  

For more information on the GPS Navigation product and the Mona GeoInformatics Institute please visit the website at http://www.monagis.com/index.html.