Rafique Reid engineers a vision for Jamaica

GROWING up in Portmore, St Catherine, Rafique Reid found inspiration in the simple rhythms of family life. Sundays meant church, time in the kitchen with his parents, and the cool breeze from the nearby lake. Within that close-knit home, his parents laid the foundation for a young man who would eventually see engineering as a way to help address some of Jamaica’s challenges.

Now in his third year of chemical engineering at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, Reid is also president of the Association of Chemical Engineering Students. His ambitions extend beyond earning a degree. He hopes to build a career in Jamaica’s manufacturing and energy sectors, beginning with hands-on engineering experience before eventually contributing to wider industry and policy decisions.

Curiosity about how things work emerged early. During his time at Kingston College, Reid was drawn to mathematics and the sciences, particularly physics. He enjoyed seeing how formulas could explain real-world problems and found satisfaction in working through solutions. Medicine initially seemed like the natural career path. Sixth form prompted him to reconsider. A closer look at his interests revealed a stronger connection to mathematics, chemistry and physics, leading him to explore several engineering disciplines before choosing chemical engineering.