UWI Connect December 2011

Website: www.alumnionline.uwi.edu

Volume 7, Issue 2

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

00

“One UWI, One Alumni Family”

December 2011 - February 2012

UWI Connect: For Alumni, Donors, Parents and Friends

Editorial

We need

2012 has arrived and seems set to be a year of continuing challenges and opportunities.

John Milton said, “What in me is dark, illumine; What is low, raise and support” and his words remind us of the human race’s never-ending quest for enlightenment, engagement and encouragement. All of these are qualities that the UWI strives to impart to its students. It is hoped that the lessons learned at UWI help our graduates to constantly strive to excel as they accomplish both their professional and personal goals. As the “light from the West” shines, let it continue to exhibit, through the UWI graduate population, the strength of the human spirit as together we face the New Year with hope, anticipation and gratitude. We are “One UWI, One Alumni Family.”

YOUR Support!

I appeal to every graduate to support the UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) Every

Speaking of engagement and encouragement; engaged students generally become engaged alumni. We consider our graduates to be an important part of our fabric and culture. I therefore encourage you to examine your level of engagement and ask that you consider volunteering to come back be a guest speaker in your former Faculty or Department: be a role model for current students so that they see how involved UWI graduates can be!

Let’s now talk ethics. As UWI graduates we are cognizant of the importance of our ethical conduct as professionals. Let us ensure that we never passively overlook nor actively compromise ethical principles in both our professional and personal lives. Professional ethics depends on personal choices. By making the right ones, as a conscious act, we not only ennoble ourselves, we ennoble our Alma Mater and our professional fields.

Let’s also cultivate the power of philanthropy and effectively inspire philanthropic giving to the UWI in 2012. We are depending on you to encourage your “circles of influence” to invest in tertiary education and in our students who will be the future leaders. Support the American Foundation of the UWI (AFUWI), the British Foundation of the UWI (BFUWI) and the Canadian Fundraising Initiative – year round! Remember you can give or direct friends to www.alumnionline.uw.edu/donatenow twenty-four hours a day!

Dollar Makes a Difference campaign and to give a personal gift of the equivalent of US$10 every month. We will use the funds to achieve our target to assist over 400 students across the four campuses with scholarships by September 2012.

For information or to donate contact the Director, Alumni Relations at: celia.davidson-francis@alumni.uwi.edu

I hope you like reading about some of the various “Happenings” at UWI from December 2011 to February 2012. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

The UWI Alumni Association

Celia Davidson Francis Editor-in-Chief

(UWIAA) encourages all graduates to send

One UWI, One Alumni Family! www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

2

articles/information to UWI Connect (iad@alumni.uwi.edu).

CONTENTS The Day Dr. Martin Luther King came to UWI

7

AFUWI Gala 2012

9

UWI Toronto Benefit Gala

11

Celebrating Excellence

13

Rebirth of UWIAA Antigua & Barbuda

16

UWI STAT Ambassador part of Team to beat Yale

19

“Excellence in UWI Life Awards”

24

UWI Grads On

the Move

26

Rappin’ with Alumni

27

On cover: The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

UWI Connect Campus, UWIMAA, UWI Medical Alumni Secretariat, Campus Alumni Offices, Office of Administration, UWI STAT Corps and others.

Editorial Team: Celia Davidson Francis (Editor-in-Chief), Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Lacey-Ann Bartley, Marcia Erskine, Aileen Standard-Goldson, Beverley Pereira, Stephanie Alleyne-Bishop and Candice York.

Sources: Student and Campus Newsletters, News Items and Announcements, Campus Communications and Public Relations Offices, Faculties, Departments, UWIAA, Campus Electronic Messaging Centres, the Open

Photography: UWI STAT Corps, Campus Photographers, Graduates and Friends of UWI Publishing Services: Stratcom Marketing Services Limited Yvonne Graham, graduate, Mona School of Business, UWI

A publication of the Institutional Advancement Division, Vice Chancellery No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher or agent.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

3

News from the UWI Centre

UWI Invites Feedback from its External Stakeholders

The University of the West Indies is well into the process of development for its 2012-2017 strategic plan and is making a renewed call to its external stakeholders to contribute to the initiative. The new strategic plan will build on some of the successes and deliverables of the current strategic plan: Strategic Transformation for Relevance, Impact, Distinctiveness and Excellence (STRIDE 2007-2012); it is anticipated that the process will include a review of the regional institution’s mission, vision and values, strategic analysis of the UWI’s environment and determining the top strategic shifts which the UWI must make in order to maintain its position as the leader in Caribbean higher education and research.

In a targeted move aimed at helping to identify these key strategic shifts, the Central Strategic Planning Committee, headed by UWI Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris, has launched a website to facilitate feedback. The site is designed to allow both internal and external stakeholder groups to share their views on the performance of The UWI, its strategic direction, goals, objectives and initiatives.

The feedback garnered will directly inform areas of focus in the new strategic plan.

Professor Harris shared his thoughts on the strategic planning process and the leadership team’s commitment to reach and involve all levels of UWI stakeholders in the initiative: “I wish invite our stakeholders to become closely involved in this strategic planning process. In this our fourth five-year plan we are particularly concerned about getting the types of input necessary to develop a truly inclusive strategic plan. As a regional institution with varied groups of persons interested in our operations we feel a keen responsibility to involve everyone in this planning process so that we might more efficiently service our region.”

Feedback for The University of the West Indies Strategic Plan 2012-2017 can be submitted at http://www.uwi.edu/strategicplan2012-2017.

UWI Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris

GLOBAL IMPACT The UWI Vice Chancellor attended CXC meetings in Trinidad and Tobago, December 1 -2, 2011. He is Chairman of CXC. Global Education Forum, Penang, Malaysia, December 13 - 15, 2011.

Theme: Reflecting on the past, designing sustainable futures. The Vice Chancellor presented a paper on Financing of Higher Education - UWI as a Case Study.

RBC donates JM$5M to UWI RBC Royal Bank (Jamaica) Limited presented The University of the West Indies with a cheque for JM$5 million. Barrington Watson, Market Head, Business Banking, RBC Jamaica, said the donation reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to developing the nation’s youth.

The presentation is a continuation of the commitment to the RBC/UWI scholarship fund announced in 2008. The relationship was formalised with a commitment of JM$40M to fund scholarships for eligible students who are economically challenged. The programme also provides mentors who offer career guidance to the scholars.

“This donation is a stirring testimony to corporate responsibility exemplified by RBC,” stated Professor E. Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies.

Members of the RBC executive team (from left), Roysce Ramsaran and Barrington Watson, present a donation cheque valued J$5M to UWI Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris.

The Rex Nettleford Foundation put on two events in Jamaica to mark the anniversary of the death of Prof. the Hon. Rex Nettleford OM and celebrate his life. The first was a celebration in song and dance by the National Dance Theatre Company and the University Singers held on Jan 31st at the Little Theatre in Kingston and the second was a lecture

by Mr. Lloyd Goodleigh entitled Labour Market Reform: The Foundation of Economic Growth held at the Blue Room of the Mona Visitors’ Lodge and Conference Centre. www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

4

Mona Homecoming and Commemoration

Professor Orlando Patterson (centre) with alumni and UWI Executive Management at the UWI Chapel Commemoration Service.

Fifty years: UCWI - UWI (1962 - 2012) was celebrated at Mona from February 15 - 19, 2012. During the 2012 Homecoming and Commemoration activities, alumni celebrated and honoured Professor Orlando Patterson, John Cowles Professor of Sociology, Harvard University who graduated from the University College of the West Indies (UCWI) in 1962. Activities included a Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony on February 16th, Caribbean Day on February 17th, a special luncheon at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge with a keynote address by Professor Patterson on February 18th and ending with a Commemoration Service on February 19th.

2012 is the UWI’s fiftieth anniversary as a full-fledged degree granting institution. The class of 1962 was specially invited back to the campus to help mark this important date.

Professor Patterson and Dr. Camille Bell-Hutchinson, Campus Registrar outside the Chapel.

Enjoying the Flag-Raising Ceremony

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

At the Commemoration Service

Alumni from the beginning (UCWI) from the class of 1948 also took part in the parade.

5

Department asking me to come into the office that morning, remember this is a Saturday. My initial thought was one of worry. I wondered if my student loan fell through or if there was an issue with my registration.

So with much anxiety I went into the Administration Office where they handed me an envelope with my name on it. I quickly tried to scamper out to open the sealed envelope in private, for what I was certain was bad news. But to my surprise, I won a full, all expenses paid including tuition, accommodation and living expenses, scholarship for my full tenure at UWI!”

Very Important Pelican Mr. Jason Julien is an enthusiastic and loyal alumnus of The University of the West Indies. His outstanding credentials include a B.Sc. with Honours in Management Studies from the UWI, St. Augustine, where he was named Valedictorian for his class year. He says, “Believe it or not, I was a hermit. I was a proud resident of the great Canada Hall where my hall name was ‘Laryngitis’. I think they named me that because of my deep sexy voice” he says with a smile. “I was the Treasury of the Students Guild and a member of a few clubs on campus. In terms of favourite places...at the time, definitely the pool, the small cafe and liming in the quadrangle.”

He worked hard however and his academic achievements include an award for the highest score at the annual UWI scholarship examination.

He is now also the holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and has attained the degree of Masters in Business Administration graduating with Distinction from the Edinburgh Business School.

Jason is a Past President and Director of the CFA Society of Trinidad and Tobago (the local Chapter of the CFA Institute). He has kept in touch with his Alma Mater in several ways, for example, he took part in a discussion titled, “Conversations in Leadership and Innovation,” a free lecture hosted by the UWIAA, St. Augustine and the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business (Lok Jack GSB) in December, 2010, leading the discussion and sharing experiences on leadership and innovation along with other graduates. On Saturday 2nd April 2011, he was one of 50 distinguished UWI Alumni of the St. Augustine Campus honoured at the UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) Trinidad and Tobago Chapter’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA). As a Lecturer in the Finance Faculty of the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business of the UWI, St. Augustine, he delivers finance courses in the M.Sc. International Finance programme. Jason is a columnist and is the writer of the bi-weekly “Living Rich” column in the Business Express magazine of the Trinidad Express. He was also the host and writer of the leading business show “Business Breakfast” on the morning programme, “Morning Edition”, on CCN TV6 in Trinidad and Tobago. He has also written numerous investment articles and is a commentator on several radio shows.

Jason currently holds the position of General Manager of the First Citizens Investment Services Limited sub-unit in the First Citizens Group in Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to this appointment, he was the Assistant Vice-President of Investments at Guardian Asset Management with responsibility for the investment management of over TT$8 Billion in assets under management. He previously worked for Citigroup in their Global Corporate & Investment Banking Division as a Mergers and Acquisitions analyst and Asset Based Finance Professional. He was also employed as a Senior Consultant in the Corporate Finance Unit of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

He remembers that, “As a youth living in East Trinidad, each day as I travelled from home to school and back I passed the majestic campus of UWI St. Augustine. I always wondered what it would have been like to be a student there. During A-levels I would go on campus after hours and study for my exams in Room 107 in the Social Sciences faculty. That nightly experience was my inspiration to push myself so that one day I would be accepted as a student. Thankfully, after my A-level exams I was accepted to the B.Sc. Management Studies programme and that began a journey that has forever impacted my life.”

His advice to students… future UWI graduates? …“The world is a very competitive place where both distinction and value is being lost. As you discover more about yourself and receive an education beyond the classroom always strive to be excellent in all that you do and search for a sense of purpose for your lives. Your career should not be the sum total of your life but should be a mechanism for you to use your God given talents to impact and advance your world. Always remember to leave the world a better place than you found it.”

Jason notes, “I've had so many great experiences at UWI, both in and out of the classroom, but if I had to select just one it would be the time I was awarded a full UWI Scholarship. I am not sure if this has changed since then, but the Scholarship Award was not announced until after the first semester of year one started. So here I was two weeks into the semester, home on a weekend and I received a call from the Administration

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

For VIP contact celia.davidson-francis@alumni.uwi.edu

6

Historical Hindsight

The Day Dr. Martin Luther King came to UWI

D

r. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Jamaica in 1965 to address the graduating class at The University of the West Indies, Mona.

As January is the month that his life and work are celebrated in the USA, it seems fitting that we recall his “UWI connection” in this issue. Dr. King’s address was a moment of honour and joy for the UWI and for Jamaica, as he came to a newly independent nation, now headed by Caribbean citizens to share in the graduation celebrations of students who were about to start their professional lives as Jamaican citizens, not British subjects.

Dr. King’s iconic legacy was one of inspiration, leadership, freedom and civil and human rights.

He impacted the entire world in a positive way.

His love for the island nation of Jamaica was evidenced by his several trips to the country. King is reported to have gained much inspiration from the people of the “Land of Wood and Water”. His delivery on June 20, 1965, to the large audience and over 400 graduates on the cusp of taking action in their own lives was inspirational.

In his speech to the graduating class entitled “Facing the Challenge of a New Age” he said: “If it falls your lot to be street sweepers, sweep the streets like Raphael painted pictures, like Michelangelo carved marble, like Shakespeare wrote poetry and like Beethoven composed music. Sweep the streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, ‘here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well’.”

It is interesting to note that James H. Cone, a professor of theology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York, in his research, brought attention to the fact that when King gained international fame in 1955-1956 as a leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, no African nation below the Sahara Desert had achieved independence from the colonial regimes of Europe. However by the date of King’s assassination in Memphis 12 years later in 1968, the great majority of the African countries had gained their Independence, as had Jamaica. In Dr. King's speech to the UWI graduating class, he addressed the passing of the colonial order, and the need for nations to work together and fight for justice.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Anthony Allen who was a UWI medical student and a member of the Chapel Management Committee, was one of those who nominated Dr. King to address the graduating class. Author Rebecca Tortello notes in "Pieces of the Past" that Professor Patrick Bryan, then a graduating student in Liberal Arts and now a Professor of History at the UWI, remembers that Dr. King may have spoken for close to 40 minutes but that it seemed like five. "It was an incredible experience to hear so strong and commanding a speaker, it was as if you were entranced when listening to him," Professor Bryan added, "He used no notes and talked without a hitch."

Dr. King's also spoke about the passing of an old colonial order, the need for a worldwide brotherhood given that we are all increasingly interdependent, the need to fight any kind of injustice with love and the need for us all to strive to be the best we can be at whatever we chose to do in our lives.

"The time is always right to do right," Dr. King said, "whenever a new nation comes into history, it brings with it new challenges and new responsibilities.

The great challenge facing all of us today -- is to somehow stand before the opportunities of the moment and face the challenges of the hour with creativity and with commitment and with determination."

During his visit to Jamaica he said, "In Jamaica, I feel like a human being."

He was proud to be "among his brothers and sisters". He was speaking from the heart, full of pride in being in a country of Caribbean people, led now by Caribbean people. He was exceedingly cognizant of the great step Jamaica was taking, as well as other countries in the Caribbean like Trinidad which also became independent in 1962. Like William James, he would have agreed: “The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” Which is what he himself did … and what we should all strive to do.

By: Celia Davidson Francis

7

have adapted very well to the needs of our students,” says Mrs. James. “UWI has also provided the learning materials that our students need in order to focus on the high scope methods of developmentally appropriate practices of early childhood education.”

Dominica is dedicated to Early Childhood Care and Education

Pre-school teachers who are students of the ECCE have been able to benefit tremendously from the programme. Ms.Leandra Simon, teacher at the Massacre Pre-school, who is currently enrolled in the programme for teachers, says that the courses help her in the day-to-day operations at her school.

By: Kimone Joseph

As Dominica continues to make plans for universal early childhood education, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, Dominica has been making significant progress in ensuring that programmes are put in place for the development of the human resource required to guarantee that such plans are successful.

“The ECCE Programme at the UWI Open Campus has helped me in planning the lessons that are appropriate for the children’s development,” Simon remarks. “It has helped me to learn to deal with the different paces at which children learn. I especially liked the Special Education module because I hope to continue in that area in the future.”

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme was started at UWI Open Campus, Dominica in 2009 and is divided into two components: ECCE for Administrators, which is a one-year certification course and ECCE for teachers, which is a two-year certification course. Both ECCE Programmes are based on curriculum planning and assessment in reference to the principles of child development, classroom management, establishment of and adherence to quality standards and the involvement of parents and the community.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dailey, the administrator of the Oasis Pre-school in Goodwill is a graduate of the programme for administrators.

Mrs. Dailey says that although she truly enjoyed the programme, those who wish to enrol in it have to be prepared for hard work.

“The courses are not easy and for many students, it is also a serious financial investment,” she declares. “Yet, it is very rewarding because the tutors are very good, and there is a strong sense of community among the students. Some of my fondest moments were during the preparation of assignments like the designing of brochures, parent handbooks and radio advertisements.” Soon, UWI Open Campus, Dominica plans to begin a Bachelors programme in Early Childhood Development.

Head of UWI Open Campus, Dominica Dr. Francis O. Severin believes that the establishment of the ECCE Programmes at the institution is indeed crucial. “The system of Early Childhood Education that we have in Dominica has been somewhat inchoate and disorganised although there has always been a deep sense of passion by its practitioners,” says Dr. Severin. “Yet, while having the passion is always good, UWI believes that the administration and teaching of Early Childhood Education is a science, so practitioners must be trained and quality standards must be upheld.”

The institution believes that ECCE, like all other teacher education programmes must seek to develop not only the technical level of competence of teachers in training, but also enhance their effective and emotional needs. As part of the region’s most prestigious institute of tertiary education, UWI Open Campus, Dominica is proud to be able to provide exciting opportunities for Dominicans to pursue programmes in constantly evolving fields of study while remaining at home.

According to Dr. Severin, the ECCE Programmes at UWI Open Campus, Dominica will have tremendous benefit for the society in the long term. “In light of the increase in crime and delinquency and the tendency of our people nowadays to resolve differences through violent means, UWI Open Campus, Dominica feels obligated to intervene in order to protect the future of our nation through investing our efforts in its future generation,” he remarked. “Through proper teacher and administrator training in ECCE, our long term goal is that our children can learn to co-exist, learn to agree to disagree and learn to develop self-esteem.”

The Coordinator of the ECCE Programme, Mrs. Denise James, who became involved in the programme when she began doing research for the Masters of Education in Early Childhood Care and Education at UWI, Mona, is very proud of UWI Open Campus, Dominica’s efforts thus far. “We had the challenge of getting suitable tutors, but we did find them, and they

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Graduates of the ECCE for Administrators of UWI Open Campus, Dominica 2011

8

The America Foundation for the UWI

ZtÄt 2012

The AFUWI Gala was held at the Pierre on January 25, 2012 and was a fabulous event.

The Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church, Wall Street, gave an inspiring invocation that set the tone for the evening.

The Hon. Harry Belafonte O.J., AFUWI Patron and UWI honorary graduate, spoke at the top of the evening and was introduced with a preview of the new film about his life - Sing Your Song.

L-R: Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris, Barbara Pyle, Dr. Hazel Carter (AFUWI Board Member) and Fr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones.

UWI Chancellor Sir George Alleyne (left) and the Hon. David Dinkins.

AFUWI Directors enjoying the evening.

Front row (l-r): Prof. E. Nigel Harris, Janet Rollé (Gala Chair) and Dr. Gerald White-Davis Back row (l-r): Michael Flanigan, Dr. Hazel Carter, Lowell Hawthorne, Gail Moaney and Richard Pino

The evening was propelled along magnificently by Star Jones, Maurice DuBois and Brenda Blackmon who acted as Master and Mistresses of Ceremonies. Byron Lewis, Chairman and CEO of UniWorld, pioneer in ethnic marketing and communications received the AFUWI Special Award. The Vice Chancellor’s Awardees were Barbara Pyle, renowned film maker, adventurer, pioneer of environmental television programmes The Hon. Harry Belafonte looks and an innovator of media for creating positive change; Ricardo on as Byron Lewis speaks after receiving the Special AFUWI Award.

Bryan, International Business and Marketing Executive with GraceKennedy Ltd., and Terrence Samuel, Deputy Political Editor at the Washington Post and author of the 2010 book: The Upper House: A Journey Behind the Closed Doors of the US Senate.

Sir George Alleyne presented Caribbean Luminary Awards to Dr. Milton Haynes, one of America’s top Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; Dr. Erroll Byer, Medical Director of the Women’s Health Center at Brooklyn Hospital; Verona Greenland, Founder, President and CEO of the Morris Heights Health Center and Basil Paterson, Partner in the law firm of Meyol, Svozzi, English and Klein.

Jet Blue represented by Brandon Nelson, Vice President, Associate General Counsel, was the proud recipient of the Corporate Award.

Three student who received AFUWI scholarships were on hand to say a personal thank you generously sponsored by Jet Blue and Kenzil King’s speech especially stirred the hearts of those present.

Scholarship students and their chaperone.

L-R: Arshelle English (UWI student), Kenzil King (UWI student), Beverly Hunter (IAD staff) and Tara Stevens (UWI student).

The silent auction had items like hotel packages from the Kimberley Hotel, New York, the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, Breezes, SuperClubs Cond... Negril, Jamaica and Round Hill Hotels and Villas, Jamaica; art from Everard Powell, Cheery Stewart, Hugh Josephs and Robert Akotia as well as fabulous jewellery. Live auction items went quickly and included a seven-day trip to France for two, two tickets to see Celine Dion in Las Vegas and two Jet Blue tickets to Hilton Rosehall Resort and Spa, Jamaica. Kaye Foster-Cheek (Dinner Chair) and Ann Marie Grant (AFUWI Executive Director) were both pleased with the success of the event.

\y çÉâ Å|ááxw |à à{|á çxtÜAAAAAçÉâ Å|ááxw Éâà4

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

9

Gail Moaney (AFUWI Board Member), Lorna Hawthorne (AFUWI Partnership Chair) and Ann Marie Grant (AFUWI Executive Director).

Star Jones added fun and interesting commentary to the evening.

UWI Open Campus in its 4th year The UWI Open Campus continues to use technology to take the University to the people instead of waiting on the people to come to the classrooms. The Open Campus embodies the UWI’s initiative to enhance regional expansion and education.

The Open Campus has over 40 sites across the region situated in 17 countries.

An additional two sites are also under construction. It offers programmes for varying levels of education and opportunities of advancement are available to everyone and the door isn't closed on anyone because of a lack of qualifications.

Whether one is a high school graduate hoping to matriculate or an undergraduate hoping to garner greater knowledge in a particular field, there is a programme accessible and suited for your development. Currently the main areas are education, management and other social sciences, but they are developing new programmes.

The UWI Open Campus provides certificate programmes, associate degrees, undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, as well as year-long courses that help professionals to gain a more academic understanding of the elements of their craft. Undergraduate programmes available include management studies and accounting. Associate degrees are available in business management, criminology and social work. At the post-graduate level the focus is on education and professional enhancement courses are available in fields such as entertainment management and supervisory management. In addition to the physical learning centres the UWI Open Campus has online offerings with many of the programmes and degrees being made available via the Internet.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

2012 is the

50th Anniversary of

the Social Welfare Training Centre All past students and associates of the Social Welfare Training Centre were invited to celebrate a series of activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary milestone of the SWTC.

The events included: Church Service

Open Day & Cultural Evening

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 9.30 a.m. at the UWI Chapel

February 9, 2012

To come: Founders Day Lectures at the SWTC

Banquet, Terra Nova Hotel

March 1, April 12, 2012 beginning at 10.00 a.m. – via teleconference

April 28, 2012 Cost of ticket: $3,500 per person

swtcanniversary@open.uwi.edu

10

Philanthropy

UWI Toronto

UxÇxy|à ZtÄt 2012

The University of the West Indies (UWI) is hosting its 3rd Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday March 10, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto under the theme: Light, Learning and Liberty.

light - learning - liberty

Masters of ceremonies at the UWI Gala are award winning journalist and diversity consultant, Hamlin Grange and award-winning journalist Suhana Meharchand, host of CBC News Now. The University Health Network, which includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, is also being honoured as an outstanding institution that facilitates post-graduate training for a number of UWI medical students in Canada, and for providing exceptional care to its communities.

Senior Medical Professionals from the Caribbean are offered a two year clinical fellowship which prepares them to be leaders, specialists and sub-specialists in their particular areas.

The Hon. G. Raymond Chang is the patron. He is a Director of CI Financial where he recently served as CEO and Chair, and Chancellor of Ryerson University and is also an honorary graduate of UWI. The 2012 Luminary award recipients are outstanding leaders in their community and on the international stage. They include Ms. Zanana Akande, the first black woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and to serve as a Cabinet Minister in Canada and Mr. Malcolm Gladwell, an extraordinary journalist, speaker and author of international bestsellers: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference (2000), Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2005), Outliers: The Story of Success (2008), and What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures (2009).

This year’s Vice Chancellor’s Awardees are: Dr. Pamela Da Camara, former Chief & Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Toronto East General and medical laboratory pioneer; Ms. Artis Lane, an award-winning Canadian sculptor and painter; Dr. Anthony MacFarlane, Internal Medicine and Cultural Philanthropist;

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Mr. Lloyd G. Seivright, President of the Supreme Council of Independent United Order of Solomon Inc. Canada, a not-for-profit, charitable and fraternal organisation; Mr. Howard Shearer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Canada Ltd. (HCL); Mr. Suresh Sookoo, Chief Executive Officer of RBC’s Caribbean Banking; and Mr. Frank Walwyn, LLP, who was recently named one of Canada’s top lawyers in the area of corporate and commercial litigation.

Over the past two years, over 35 scholarships have been awarded to students who are rising stars in the Caribbean. Former honourees include: The Honourable Harry Belafonte; The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, The Honourable Jean Augustine and Dr. Karl Massiah. The funds from the 2012 UWI Benefit Gala will assist the Haitian Initiative and the UWI Scholarship Fund.

11

UWI Research Days 2012 highlight

Innovation for Cardiac Surgery UWI researchers switched on what could be the world's first cardiac surgery simulator during Research Days 2012. The machine with the pulsating pig's heart was the highlight of the UWI Mona’s 13th annual Research Days, held January 26-27, 2012. It could also be the start of great things for cardiac surgeons Drs. Paul Ramphal and Daniel Coore, who invented the machine called the UWI Cardiac Surgery Simulator.

The instrument — a combination of mechanics, computerised electronics, artificial blood, and dead animal flesh — will not only shorten the time spent on training young local surgeons, but will also make them more competitive on the international scene. "It is difficult to spend time during the (real life) operations taking junior surgeons through the procedure. Time is of the essence in cardiac surgery. The inspiration was how to get my new trainees to a level so that when they go overseas to complete their training in a high-volume centre like the UK, Canada, or the US, they will not be behind, and preferably in a more advanced position than the other trainees who are at those centres”, noted Dr. Ramphal.

The simulator, which reanimates a pig's heart — medically, the closest in structure to a human heart — also pumps artifical blood through the organ and is programmed to duplicate real-life scenarios that a trainee surgeon would have to deal with on the operating table during open-heart surgery. Computer leads hooked up to the heart can make it beat in different rhythms, and also track artificial vital signs on an attached monitor. It's considered a remarkable achievement, with nearly limitless potential if the simulator can be duplicated and sold in the specialised market for cardiac equipment. The doctors are in the stage where they are looking for commercial entities to take it on, produce it and to sell it. The brief demonstration created great interest and the innovation seems set to have global impact.

The University of the West Indies thanks Dr. Anthony MacFarlane Dr. Anthony MacFarlane believes in being good to your Alma Mater. A graduate of The University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr. Anthony MacFarlane will receive the Vice-Chancellor’s Award at the UWI Toronto Gala on March 10, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Toronto.

MacFarlane has bequeathed his home in Westdale, Ontario, Canada, to the UWI and has donated 2,000 classical CDs from his extensive collection to the University’s radio station at the Mona Campus.

MacFarlane has lived in Canada for 52 years. He has been very supportive of the University as a member of its alumni and gives money to UWI, Mona, every year for a scholarship. The donation of his home to the UWI is a gift of residual property, which will pass to the University after he passes on. The UWI Legacy Programme encourages UWI graduates to leave bequests to their Alma Mater.

For further information contact: celia.davidson-francis@alumni.uwi.edu

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

12

Relevant Research:

Autism A new study has shown that older maternal and paternal ages are together associated with having a child with autism. Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) compared 68 age- and sex-matched, case-control pairs from their research in Jamaica, in a collaborative autism research study with UWI, Mona. This study overrides previous studies which showed that just either maternal age or just paternal age are linked to having a child with autism. The results made evident that the age of the father and the mother are jointly associated with autism in their children. Researchers found that mothers who had children with autism were on average 6.5 years older than women who did not have a child with autism. By comparison the age difference for fathers was 5.9 years. In previous studies, because of the statistical models used, it was hard to assess both maternal and paternal age as joint risk factors, a problem called multicollinearity. More complex statistical models were used in this study to avoid the problem. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are complex, neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders characterised by impairments in social interaction and communication and repetitive, sometimes obsessive, behaviours. It is estimated that one in every 100 children has an ASD. The study has been published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Celebrating Excellence Entrepreneur and linguist Nadine Gooden has successfully established two businesses which allow her to network with people from around the world.

Lowell Hawthorne was named the 2010 Observer Business Leader in Jamaica. He is the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Partnership Board Chairman and a role model philanthropist and Friend of UWI. Mr. Hawthorne is the Co-Founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill and was given the award for co-founding and building a New York based family-owned food processing venture that has used franchising to spread across America into one of the largest Jamaica Diaspora companies to be found overseas.

Gooden speaks English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Mandarin, a little German and Jamaican patois. She pursued a diploma in teaching Spanish and Social Studies at the Mico College and did her first degree at The University of the West Indies, Mona. In 2001, Gooden pursued a Master's in Political Science with International Relations at a university in Guadeloupe and upon her return to Jamaica, free-lanced as a French and Spanish tutor and translator. She then went to China as an international business manager responsible for the Spanish speaking and French speaking markets for a company specialising in power generators.

The Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony – the leader of St. Lucia’s Labour Party is once again St. Lucia’s Prime Minister. He also served as Prime Minister from May 11 1997 to Dec 11, 2006.

In 2008, she started her first company International Business and Language Consulting, which deals with language facilitating trade and importation by assisting with the procurement, auditing, quality control and the administrative services for persons doing business in China, Europe or the USA. The company also provides translators and interpreting services for Spanish, French, German, Russian, Portuguese, Dutch, Mandarin and other languages upon demand. She then started Islandwide Builders and Leading Contractors to undertake engineering and construction work. She proves that knowledge of a foreign language will take you far ….. literally and figuratively.

St. Lucia’s new Attorney General is Kim St. Rose, a UWI Alumna. The new Attorney General holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. [Hons]) degree from The University of the West Indies, 1984, a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, 1984, and a Mediation Certificate, from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Mediation Pilot Project, 2004. She was admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1984, St. Lucia in 1990 and Jamaica in 1992. Mrs. St. Rose has over twenty-seven (27) years of legal experience. She has for example served as State Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Guyana and has served as Magistrate in Courts in every district in St. Lucia. She was an associate at Crafton S. Miller & Associates, a Jamaican law firm for five years. She is married to well-known Saint Lucian doctor, Alphonsus St. Rose and they have one son.

Dr. Rufus Ewing, UWI Alumnus has been voted the Weekly News Person of the Year in the Turks and Caicos Islands for “Giving civil servants a voice”. The plight of thousands of TCI civil servants suffering job losses and wage cuts was one which touched the heart of the nation.

UWI faculty and students gave noteworthy presentations at the 10th Third World Academy of Sciences Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean Young Students conference in Tobago on Dec 7 – 9, 2011. Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, UWI Mona’s Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences was presented with the prestigious 2011 CARICOM Science Award at the event in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of science in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean region. Professor Terrence Seemungal (St. Augustine) and Professor Sean McDowell (Cave Hill) delivered outstanding lectures: ”Evolution in the Thinking about Chronic Obstructive Disease, a Chronic Non-Communicable Disease” and “Non-Covalent Interactions in Molecular Complexes” respectively, which displayed the importance of basic concepts and approaches in highly applied research and the possibilities for application of highly theoretical basic research. UWI graduate students and recent graduates gave 12 oral presentations and showcased five posters.

He is the country’s former chief medical officer and stood at the helm of the crusade to reform and head the Civil Service Association (CSA) as the conflict between the UK-led administration and native islanders imploring for a return to elected rule continues. The rebirth of the defunct CSA gave a welcome voice to disenfranchised civil servants.

He has been recognised as Person of the year for services to his country and compatriots, which went far beyond any call of duty. The organisation following a pending legislative amendment will comprise the country’s first ever trade union.

The establishment of the CSA means anyone with an issue can ask the association to review it and come up with an official position to put to government.

For Celebrating Excellence contact celia.davidson-francis@alumni.uwi.edu

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

13

GRADUATE

Point of View

Musical Shock!

By: Rachel Boyce

how we had indeed arrived to the Americas from Africa. It was a grave reminder of centuries of racism and discrimination which arose solely because of skin color. As the Ticos continued to dance and sing to the lyrics of Bob Marley, I couldn’t help but ponder if they really knew what they were singing to… I wondered if they knew the true meaning of the words. I also started to question in my mind if they ever considered why all the blacks in their very country originated from Limon, or the importance of Marcus Garvey and his work there and in the world at large. It was quite clear that the Ticos were ignorant to the fact that the song was actually about pain and suffering advanced by racism and not just another casual piece of lyrical art, although they treated it quite the same.

After attending a conference for Afro-descendants in Costa Rica, themes of racism, oppression and inequality were fresh in my mind. Although living in Washington DC where these themes are at times still prominent, coming from a Caribbean country makes it all a little different.

Not that Caribbean people are not educated about the malice and hardship against blacks in the world, but most Anglophone Caribbean countries are composed of at least 80% afro-descendants (with the exception of Trinidad and Guyana where East Indians also form a large part of the population) such that the majority of our issues lie within “blacks” against “blacks”, dirty politics and the fight for resources.

I started to feel very uncomfortable when another Bob Marley song played shorty after and the crowd started to roar in loud voices “get up, stand up, stand up for your rights”. In awe I contemplated “what rights?” What does the only country in Central America spared from the hands of communism know about rights or the lack thereof or of oppression and the fight for justice? Could the locals relate to the struggle of Bussa in Barbados, Cuffy in Guyana, Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Zumbi Dos Palmares in Brasil, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks in the USA, just to name a few? Were there reactions really appropriate? It troubled me for a minute!

Furthermore, the election of the first black President in the USA gave many persons in the Americas or rather the world at large the hope that “change” had really come and that afro-descendants would have a brighter future.

What I found particularly interesting during my stay was the reaction to reggae music by the “whites” in Costa Rica or I could actually attest that I have seen this in many other clubs around the world including the popular “Patty Boom Boom” in Washington DC. While in a club in Costa Rica a very popular Bob Marley song was selected by the DJ. Interestingly, before the lyrics of the song began, at the mere sound of the introduction to the song many persons were jumping and nodding their heads, which made it very obvious that the song was a favourite.

However, despite the reactions of the ‘whites’ to the music, I must admit that the locals have a great appreciation for reggae, so much so that salsa, merengue and other genres were outplayed in the club. Actually the only other popular type of music played outside of the Jamaican reggae were the same reggae beats with Spanish lyrics such as the now popular “choque”. The dancing may not have been quite on beat but trust that the Latinos knew the words to every song.

What really grabbed my attention was when the song actually began everyone started screaming “buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta”. It was amazing that they seemed to know all the words to the song as they were singing so passionately… “stolen from Africa from the heart of America”… and those few who didn’t know the words impatiently waited for the “oyyoyyoy, oyyoyoyyoy” for their chance to participate.

Overall, the Ticos should not be judged for reciting the words to every Bob Marley song where the lyrics may have no significance to them, for after all it is one of the few countries in Latin America where blacks can work freely, study freely, laugh freely and where mulattos are a true mix of black and ‘white’. PURA VIDA!!!

Although many reggae songs had played that night the reaction to that one distinctly stood out to me as my roommate at the conference had just given me a shirt which read ‘stolen from Africa’. This shirt was a solemn reminder of

CAMPUS SHOT! The restored St. Augustine Campus Administration building

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

14

BOOK

curry flavour by: Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming

With two volumes so far, Curry Flavour published in 2000, and Immortelle and Bhandaaraa Poems which appeared this year (2011), Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming provides a fresh and original voice for Caribbean poetry, one grounded in her native, Indo-Trinidadian Hindu culture. Some poems in Curry Flavour evoque Caribbean flora, fauna and culture. Some celebrate West Indian history, heroes, musicians and local deities. Manoo-Rahming exhibits technical skill and also a wonderfully integrated creole voice and vision. She studied engineering at The University of the West Indies in St. Augustine. There she met a fellow student – Hammond Rahming – a Bahamian, whom she married and with whom she later settled in the Bahamas. In addition to practising professionally as a Mechanical/Building Services Engineer in Nassau, Bahamas, Manoo-Rahming writes poems, stories and essays as well as producing sculpture, drawing and painting. In an interview Manoo-Rahming says that it was not until she went to the Bahamas that she was inspired to explore her inherited Hindu belief, and formally research her Indo-Caribbean cultural roots which she had taken for granted in Trinidad. Her art evolves out of this exploration and research. She includes reprints of ten of her paintings and “Glossary and Notes” which shows her seriousness and dedication to her craft. An Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming interesting read… sure not to disappoint!

Motivational Conversations With Marvette Camille by: Margaret Facey-Dobbs

Check it out at amazon.com, barnenesnnoble.com and in the UWI Bookshop.

Upcoming ...encouraging new Caribbean literary voices The seventh Caribbean Creative Writers’ Residential Workshop sponsored by The Cropper Foundation and organised in partnership with the Department of Creative and Festival Arts and the Department of Liberal Arts, UWI, St. Augustine, will take place from July 8 to 19, 2012 in Trinidad and Tobago. Ten writers who have not as yet published a novel or collection of short stories, poems or plays, will be chosen from across the Caribbean to join this year’s residential workshops. The 2012 workshop will focus on fiction, playwriting and poetry and will be facilitated by Professor Funso Aiyejina and Dr. Merle Hodge at a secluded writing-inducing setting location somewhere in Trinidad.

Support for Caribbean writing is an ongoing programme of The Cropper Foundation that seeks to contribute to the development of the Caribbean, on many levels and in different areas of interest. The writers’ workshop is part of the foundation’s effort to encourage new Caribbean literary voices by providing practical advice on the craft of writing.

Former participants of this workshop series: Barbara Jenkins (Trinidad & Tobago); Lelawattee Manoo-Rahming (Bahamas); and Lenworth Burke (Jamaica) went on to win the Commonwealth Short Story Competition and the Jamaica Observer’s Annual Fiction Award respectively. Ruel Johnson (Guyana) has won the Guyana Literature Prize 2003; Krishna Ramsumair (Trinidad & Tobago) has published a number of short stories in local and international journals; Robert Clarke (Trinidad & Tobago) received a Trinidad Guardian Writer of the Month award, as well as an EMA 2003 Green Leaf Award for journalism; and Tiphanie Yanique has now published her second book and is an editor with Calabash and Story Quarterly.

For this year’s workshop, a maximum of ten participants will be selected from entries only from the Caribbean. The moderators will be novelist Dr. Merle Hodge (Crick, Crack Monkey and For the Life of Laetitia) and poet and short story writer Professor Funso Aiyejina, winner of the 2000 Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa) for The Legend of the Rockhills and Other Stories. They are both lecturers at UWI, St. Augustine, in the Faculty of Humanities and Education. Participants will engage with published authors and professionals from the publishing industry, as well as speakers from a variety of other disciplines including history, culture and political science.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

15

NEWS

Rebirth of UWIAA Antigua and Barbuda Chapter Shereka Jackson is the Treasurer. She is a 2011 graduate of the Open Campus Antigua with a B.A. in Management Studies, First Class Honours. Miss Jackson is currently attached to the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force in the Finance Department.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Chapter is once again active. The UWIAA functions through the various Chapters, located both in the Caribbean and internationally encompassing graduates from all campuses of the University.

The new Executive Committee of the Antigua and Barbuda Chapter comprises: Julie-Ann Laudat Jennifer Roman Shereka Jackson Shemelia Arrindell Farmala Jacobs

The Treasurer is Shemelia Arrindel, a 2010 graduate from the Cave Hill Campus with a B.Sc. degree in Accounting. She is currently the Accounts Officer at PDV Caribe Antigua and Barbuda Limited and intends to pursue further studies in Forensic Accounting.

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Public Relations Officer

Farmala Jacobs the Public Relations Officer rounds out the Executive Team. She is a 2010 graduate of UWI, Cave Hill with a B.Sc. in Labour and Employment Relations. She is currently employed as an English A Teacher at the Clare Hall Secondary School and also currently serves as a National Youth Ambassador for Antigua, as the United Nations Youth Spokesperson for the Millennium Development Goals with special responsibilities for Gender Affairs.

UWI Alumna Julie-Ann Laudat, who is a 2000 graduate of UWI, St. Augustine with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agriculture and Agriculture Diversification (food science) respectively and also a certified Food Safety Trainer, is now the President. She is currently a freelance agricultural consultant. She was formerly the official UWIAA Contact for Antigua and Barbuda and has led the revitalisation effort along with the Head of the Open Campus, Ian Benn and Director Alumni Relations, Celia Davidson Francis.

The UWIAA (Antigua & Barbuda Chapter) meets every first Thursday of the month at Open Campus at 5:15 p.m.

Graduates not yet registered in the UWI Alumni Database should contact Miss Allison Hull at the UWI Open Campus office on Factory Road or via email: allison.hull@open.uwi.edu.

Note: All University of the West Indies graduates, from all programmes (certificate/diploma/degree) are eligible to become members of UWIAA.

The Vice President is Jennifer Roman, a 1995 graduate of UWI, Mona with a MA in Library Sciences. She currently is employed with the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Institute, as the Human Resource Manager.

UWIAA Cayman Chapter UWIAA Cayman Chapter members and alumni turned out on February 10, 2012 to Open Campus (OC) Cayman Open Day to meet and support the UWI STAT Ambassadors who were in Cayman for the annual Ambassadorial Country Visit. The OC Cayman Centre came alive as alumni were entertained to some dub poetry with "Breadfruit" by Randy McLaren and lovely singing by Sasha Harrison. The dub poetry was ably matched by our own Hylton Grace who did a piece of his own as well. At the end of the evening, alumni made a short speech of welcome to which the UWI STAT ambassadors responded. On this visit there was a reception hosted by the Governor, H.E. Duncan Taylor who spoke about his relationship with the UWI when he was the British High Commissioner to Barbados.

The visits to the schools went well and practically all the secondary schools in Grand Cayman including CIFEC (Cayman Islands Further Education Centre) were visited. In the latter the Ambassadors met the Principal who is also a UWI graduate. At John Gray High School, the Principal Mrs. Monteith ensured that the OC Head and the Ambassadors were the guests of honour at the Grade 11 Assembly. Overall the students were all anxious to hear about opportunities at UWI and interacted very well with the ambassadors. Some wanted to do hospitality, so they were informed about the possibilities in the Bahamas; some wanted nursing so they were directed to Mona School of Nursing for example. Additionally the Ambassadors were able to give the students a feel for student life on campus. It was amazing to see how they connected. The UWIAA President Leanora Wynter and her team devoted much time to alumni involvement and support and their efforts were appreciated and recognised.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

16

While in New York to attend the New York Gala in January 2012, the Director, Alumni Relations, Institutional Advancement Division - Office of the Vice Chancellor, Mrs. Celia Davidson Francis met with the Executive of the UWIAA New York Chapter and other alumni. She also visited the President of Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York to hear about their various programmes including alumni.

Here she is pictured with Dr. Gerald White-Davis, UWIAA President, New York Chapter (left) and Dr. William Pollard, President, Medgar Evers College.

Caribbean Impact

Partnership between Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health (AAIUH) and the UWI (St. Augustine)

Both the AAIUH and the UWI St. Augustine recognise the importance of creating a new generation of public health leaders who have an understanding of global health and the roles of social determinants in affecting health. The proposed internship for secondary schools seeks to encourage the interest of youth in the field of public health. Through this internship, students of Trinidad and Tobago will gain a better understanding of the social challenges that affect health and related sectors. The proposed programme implementation will include partnerships with the J. William Fulbright Regional NEXUS Scholar Programme, through Dr. Ruth C. Browne (Nexus Scholar and CEO of the Arthur Ashe Institute), who is also a UWI alumna (Mona), the UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences, St. Augustine Campus, through the Dean, Dr. Samuel Ramsewak, local NGOs, Government ministries and secondary schools. Dr. Ruth Browne and Dr. Marilyn Fraser-White of the AAIUH with the assistance of the UWI staff have been able to engage key stakeholders, engage representatives of all health and education related sectors of Trinidad and Tobago, develop a health equity training curriculum that is age appropriate and contextually relevant for secondary students of Trinidad and Tobago enrolled in Forms 5 and lower 6 and formalised partnerships with key stakeholders. This programme has been selected for special presentation at the next international Fulbright meeting in April 2012, and is set to commence with 20 students in Trinidad and Tobago on July 17, 2012.

The programme is an adaptation of the Arthur Ashe Institute's US National Institutes of Health (NIH) award winning internship programme in partnership with the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center that has hosted 100 high school students over the past 2 summers.

UWI Alumni eligible for exclusive share in Euro scholarship The University of the West Indies has joined the University of Porto, Portugal in a partnership with the European Commission that will fund graduate studies in countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 Programme facilitates cooperation and mobility in higher education through partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) in Europe and African, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) countries. The Mundus ACP II project, which falls under the umbrella of Erasmus Mundus is managed by the University of Porto. The scheme will see the disbursement of approximately four million Euros for the movement of graduate students and researchers from HEIs in ACP countries to study at Mundus ACP European partner institutions.

Trinidad and Tobago. Candidates must not have resided for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in one of the partner European countries and must submit applications before February 15, 2012.

Under Mundus ACP II, 16 core fields of study are approved for funding: Agriculture Studies; Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning; Art and Design; Business Studies/Management Science; Education, Teacher Training; Humanities; Languages and Philological Sciences; Law; Mathematics/Informatics; Engineering/Technology; Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences; Social Sciences and Communication and Information Sciences.

For application forms or further information on the Mundus ACP scheme please visit http://mundusacp2.up.pt/ or contact:

There are approximately 12 scholarships exclusively available to UWI alumni as well as current students and staff. They include eight full master’s scholarships, two scholarships for mobility within doctoral programmes and two academic/administrative staff scholarships. Funding will comprise a monthly scholarship ranging between 1,000 and 2,500 Euros, return airfare, health, accident and travel insurance and tuition fees to the host institution, where applicable. Eligible are nationals of ACP countries Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

The International Office, UWI, St. Augustine Tel: (868) 662-2002, exts. 84184 or 84206 Email: internationaloffice@sta.uwi.edu International Office, UWI, Cave Hill Tel: (246) 417-4972 / 417-4656, Fax: (246) 417-4542 E-mail: internationaloffice@cavehill.uwi.edu International Student Office, UWI, Mona Tel: (876) 702-3737, Fax: (876) 977-4178 Email: isomona@uwimona.edu.jm

17

Business School News The Mona School of Business (MSB), UWI has announced the appointment of Ms. Minna Israel, outgoing head of RBC Royal Bank as Distinguished Business Fellow, effective March 1, 2012. The Principal of the Mona Campus, Professor Gordon Shirley announced that she will be working with the Executive Director of MSB, Professor Evan Duggan, to further accelerate the transformation of the institution into a genuinely world-class business school.

academic chairs in the School of Business.

Ms. Israel received the Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from The University of the West Indies in November 2011.

The Mona School of Business (MSB) has received accreditation from the international Association of MBAs (AMBA) for achieving what AMBA describes as the highest standard in Post-Graduate Business Education for its EMBA and MBA programmes. AMBA’s accreditation is earned only

by Business Schools with the “best programmes”, and is internationally recognised as the global standard for all MBA, MBM and DBA programmes.

Ms. Israel will work with Professor Duggan and his team on enhancing the executive management development component of the programme targeted at the business community in the Caribbean. She will also provide advice on the expansion and strengthening of the consultancy and projects unit of the school; expand the offerings of the school targeted explicitly at international students, and oversee the deepening of relationships and the integration of activities between the Department of Management Studies, which is currently responsible for the undergraduate programmes in management, and the MSB, and in formulating the appropriate governance structures.

In addition, she will be fund-raising for infrastructure and

Did you know that the Sir Alister McIntyre Building in which the MSB is housed, is named after the former Vice Chancellor, who is regarded as one of the region’s foremost economists? Sir Alister is Grenadian by birth and was among other things Secretary-General of CARICOM from 1974-1977 and served as Vice Chairman of the West Indian Commission. He lectured at UWI before being appointed Vice Chancellor.

UWI Master’s in Telecommunications Policy and Technology Management at MSB The UWI master's degree programme in telecommunications policy and technology management (TPM) offered by the Mona School of Business (MSB) has been rated among the top 200 best master's degree programmes in the world in the Engineering and Project Management category. The MSB ranking is from among 12,000 master's and MBA programmes in the top 1,000 business schools globally. The TPM master's received this high ranking from Eduniversal International Scientific Committee, based in France.

The global academic adjudicating organisation conducted and published its conclusions in a report titled 'Best Master's and MBA Programmes Worldwide for 2011'.

examiners are drawn from Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider global academic community.

It is delivered by the Telecommunications Policy and Management Programme, a unit in the Mona School of Business which has been supported since its inception by the Digicel Foundation, through a grant allocation to the UWI for an endowed academic chair. The Eduniversal ranking is based on the reputation of the programme, the salary at first employment of the graduates, and the satisfaction of the students gleaned through independent surveys.

Eduniversal's rankings are based on 10 years of experience of ranking master's programmes in French universities. Eduniversal has established a global map of the 4,000 best postgraduate programmes in 30 specialisations in 153 countries and highlights the expertise of the Best 1,000 Academic Institutions. The TPM master's programme was established four years ago in an effort to serve the region's growing telecommunications and ICT industries, which require specialised professionals trained at an advanced level in policy, technology and management.

The TPM master's has been led by UWI's Professor Hopeton Dunn since it was established at MSB in January 2008. The interdisciplinary and rigorous two-year programme is delivered through a blend of online and face-to-face methods, which facilitate the inclusion of students from anywhere in the world. Its team of expert lecturers, tutors, administrators and external

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Two cohorts of students have completed the programme to date and the third cohort, began their studies in September 2011. The Eduniversal International Scientific committee congratulated MSB and the UWI on this landmark academic achievement for 2011.

The MSB itself has been among Eduniversal's top 1,000 business school's over the last four years.

18

UWI STAT encourages us all to remember

UWI STAT disseminated the UN Secretary-General's message on the second anniversary of the earthquake (January 12, 2010). The Secretary-General wished to honour the memory of the more than two hundred thousand people who perished in the tremor, including one hundred and two United Nations personnel.

HAITI

The Secretary-General paid tribute to the Government and people of Haiti who have made important strides in rebuilding their country.

Despite considerable achievements, including rubble removal and the resettlement of displaced persons, many Haitians remain in need of international assistance. The Secretary-General therefore called on the international community to continue its vital support.

UWI STAT urges the UWI family to assist the Government and people of Haiti to a secure a prosperous future. As Haiti moves from crisis to recovery and long-term development, we must all help to ensure effective support and funding for Haiti's priorities.

Update – The UWI Haiti Scholarship Programme 2010 – 2011 was successful.

The UWI Open Campus is in discussions with Haitian partners to pursue distance education programmes in Haiti. The recovery and redevelopment of Haiti’s public university system will take a long time. The UWI Haiti initiative has demonstrated the firm commitment of Haiti’s Caribbean partners to offer sustained assistance on an on-going basis.

UWI STAT Ambassador part of Team to beat Yale In the semi-final round Norman Manley was in competition with the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In December 2011, the Norman Manley Law School retained its World Human Rights Moot Court title by beating Yale University of the United States in the final held in Pretoria, South Africa. Last year, top oralist Merrick Watson led Norman Manley to victory by taking the world title and beating Sydney University of Australia.

Based on their semi-final round performance, Norman Manley was selected for the final against Yale Law School. The final involved a question on social and economic rights, amnesties in International Law, and State succession to human rights obligations, Norman Manley was victorious, with both team members excelling.

The Mona based law school came out at the top of the competition, organised by the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, and the United Nations Office of Human Rights.

The judges’ panel for the competition included a judge of the South African Constitutional Court, Chief of the United Nations WORLD CHAMPS: The victorious Norman Manley Law School World human rights agency in Africa, Human Rights Moot Court champions (from left) Love Odih, Leslie Mendez and Jermaine Case. international human rights practitioners and professors of international law. Norman Manley Law School was selected as the World Champion for 2011.

Professor Stephen Vasciannie, Principal of the law school was UWI STAT Ambassador and law student Jermaine Case was delighted that the Norman Manley Law School once again selected second best oralist (tied) in the competition, and brought home the World Human Rights title. He feels that the Love Odih third best oralist.

Caribbean should be proud of these students and this wonderful accomplishment.

The Norman Manley Law School team comprised Jermaine Case and Love Odih, with Leslie Mendez as the reserve speaker and the team’s coach was Attorney-at-Law Nancy Anderson, who teaches at the law school.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

19

Alumni Ambassador in Africa

by: Rachel Boyce, UWI STAT Alumni Ambassador

UWI STAT Alumni Ambassador and former VP of Volunteerism and Programming, Ashaney James represented UWI at the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) under the theme: Own, Scale-up and Sustain from December 4-8, 2011, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa is one of the major international AIDS conferences, which takes place in Africa biennially, alternating between Anglophone and Francophone countries.

ICASA 2011, Africa’s largest conference on AIDS and STIs brought together participants from 103 countries, including health care workers, scientist, young advocates, policy makers, people living with HIV and AIDS, civil society, non-governmental organisations and government officials, among others.

ICASA provides a forum for the exchanges of scientific knowledge, experiences and best practice on HIV/AIDS and STI’s in Africa and around the globe. It serves as a platform for sharing progress towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support on the content, which is one of the targets of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG 6).

Ambassador James received a full scholarship to participate at this conference after his Abstract “Peer Reaching Peer: Exploring HIV and AIDS Prevention in the 21st century” was accepted by the Scientific Program Committee for publication. His abstract spoke of peer education as a behavioural change method that has been used successfully to educate young people about HIV/AIDS and other STI’s to their peers. He stated that peer education has been successful because young people are easily influenced by their peers and relate better to each other than older adults.

His abstract mentioned the Jamaica Red Cross ‘Together We Can Programme’ as a best practice that has been successful in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean to educate young people in HIV/AIDS, STIs, communication skills and other life skills. In the conclusion of his presentation he mentioned the initiatives of the UWI STAT in promoting HIV prevention on all campuses of The University of the West Indies.

Ashaney James (right) and Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Ethiopian Minister of Health

Ashaney James (right) at the Ethiopian Red Cross booth

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, former President of the United States, George W. Bush, UNAIDS Executive Secretary, Mr. Michel Sidibe, President of the Society for AIDS in Africa, Professor Robert Soundre and ICASA 2011 President Yigeremu Abebe, were among those present.

Ambassador James participated in various workshops including “Rethink HIV/AIDS”, “Inter-sectionality of HIV and Disability in HIV Programming and Policy” and “HIV Prevention in Prison Settings”. He assisted with the ‘Condomize’ campaign, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund by organising sessions on male and female condoms use and a special session for young people on condom use.

Ashaney James is Jamaica Youth Ambassador for Healthy Lifestyle and a member of the Jamaica Youth Advisory Group to the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA).

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Ashaney James (centre) with delegates from the conference Some traditional dishes

20

UWI Open Campus, Dominica’s Open House Activities UWI STAT Ambassadors, Rae Thomas and Arvindu Sukhram of UWI Cave Hill participated in a packed programme at UWI Open Campus, Dominica’s Open House Activities from Monday, January 30 to Thursday, February 2, 2012. Thomas is a third year Law student from Grenada, while Sukhram is a third year Economics and Management student from Guyana.

opportunity to talk with the Education Minister, the Hon. Petter Saint Jean.

They also had the privilege to spend some time with His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas J.O. Liverpool, the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The UWI STAT Ambassadors gave presentations, interacted with students, spoke about their own experience at UWI and advised students about programmes and activities available at UWI. They showed lively PowerPoint presentations that highlighted UWI programmes as well as picturesque scenes of UWI campuses and discussed the issues of HIV/AIDS prevention and Caribbean integration.

Both UWI STAT Ambassadors were featured on television programmes. They also visited the Minister of Tourism and Legal Affairs, the Hon. Ian Douglas, who is a UWI Cave Hill alumnus and got the

Arvindu Sukhram and Rae Thomas interacting with students at Open House.

UWI STAT Annual Ambassadorial Country Visits COUNTRY BAHAMAS DOMINICA ANTIGUA ANGUILLA

DATE OF VISIT Jan 23 -26 Jan 29- Feb 02 Jan 30- Feb 03 Jan 30- Feb 03

OPEN CAMPUS CONTACT Mr. Earl Alfred, Donna Wallace Dr. Francis Severin, Felix Wilson Ian Benn, Allison Hull Gracelyn Cassells, Cheryl Sloley

BELIZE

Jan 30- Feb 03

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS TCI ST KITTS BVI GRENADA ST VG MONTSERRAT SAINT LUCIA

Feb 7-11 TBA Feb 7- 10 Feb 13-16 Feb 14- 17 Feb 20 - 23 Feb 21 - 24 Feb 27 - Mar 2

Lisa Rocke, Dr Sharmayne Saunders, Jane Bennett Robert Geoffroy Robert Geoffroy, Sandeep Jagger Susan Sarah Owen, Cicely Jacobs Carla Brown Dr. Curtis Jacobs, Claudia Halley Deborah Dalrymple, Ronnie Daniel Gracelyn Cassell Veronica Simon, Polis Springer

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

21

AMBASSADORS CHOSEN Roshane Anderson, Kerry Ann Mew Arvindu Sukhram, Rae Thomas Malike Kellier, Monique Long Ambassadors above will connect to Anguilla Vishwanauth Tolan, Jeanine DeGannes Randy McLaren, Sasha Harrison Johnathan Morgan, Rashad Brathwaite Dylan Martin, Rosana John-Montejo Steven Moore, Samantha Alexander Marlene McDonald, Jochelle Fortune Dario Welch, Jubel Haye Welete Wickham, Elizabeth Gunnesslal

Electoral Mission Involvement

By: Maryam Pandor

While reading for my B.Sc. in Political Science I joined the UWI STAT Cave Hill Ambassadors Corps. That same year I was successfully granted participation in the OAS Grenada Electoral Observation Mission in 2008. The Cave Hill Corps was thus the road to my first Electoral mission.

However the excitement of observing another national election never leaves you as 2011 was drawing to a close I was headed out of Barbados for my second mission, mounted by the Organization of American States at the invitation of the Government Shavar of Jamaica. There I met fellow Ambassador Shavar Maloney Maloney, a second year student of the UWI Mona Campus, majoring in Media and Communication and a national of St. Juliette Maughan, Sophia Paz, Liesl Harewood, Maryam Pandor all graduands of Vincent and the Grenadines.

The University of the West Indies It is noteworthy that 13 women were in this mission grouping, demonstrating that the importance of the role women play in the administration of democracy is exceptional. Other members of the UWI family on mission were UWI Cave Hill Political Science Lecturer, Cynthia Barrow-Giles, UWI Mona Librarian, Cherry-Ann Smart and UWI St. Augustine Internal Affairs Lecturer, Mark Mirton.

Several other graduands of the UWI were among the 28 persons from 15 countries of the Americas, forming the mission’s group of International Observers: Juliette Maughan, Sophia Paz, Liesl Harewood and I. The mission encompassed comprehensive training by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (EOJ) and the OAS core group, the Chief of Mission was Senator Lisa Shoman of Belize, also a graduate of the UWI who directed the group’s objectives on the 5-day mission.

Footprints Day UWI STAT Mona hosted the first in its 2012 three-part series of FOOTPRINTS Days on Wednesday February 1, 2012. Two Booths, one on the Main Library Spine and the other outside the Commuting Student’s Lounge, were erected and provided the focus for the day’s activities. Students who visited the booths throughout the day had access to information about the campaign as well as UWI STAT’s other activities. As is typical of FOOTPRINTS activities, UWI STAT Ambassadors also marched on campus, collecting contributions in their FOOTPRINTS tins, encouraging students to develop the habit of giving back. What was not typical was the special visit made to employees within the Vice Chancellory who true to form, made remarkable contributions “that didn’t jingle” to the annual campaign. The day was also used for recruiting as UWI STAT Mona promoted its newest policy of accepting applications all year round.

FOOTPRINTS is UWI STAT’s annual “student giving” campaign which operates across the UWI’s four campuses. The aims of the campaign are to encourage students to contribute financially to UWI’s development, thereby “leaving their mark or Footprint”, to establish lifelong allegiance to the University and to develop “Pelican Pride”. All proceeds from UWI STAT Mona’s campaign will be distributed right here on our Mona Campus. Seventy per cent of the proceeds will go to a major project of student’s choice while the other 30 per cent will be split into grants. One grant will go to a student from the

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

A student signs the FOOTPRINTS donation sheet.

Faculty contributing the most to the campaign and the other will go to a student from the hall contributing the most to the campaign. Parts two and three of the series are slated to be held in the months of March and April respectively. Each FOOTPRINTS Day will focus on collecting contributions from different areas on campus including the administration, as often, those who work here also study here, and benefit from efforts such as FOOTPRINTS the most. We look forward to seeing you at our next FOOTPRINTS Day. I left my mark at UWI! Have you?

22

Prevention is the key To mark World AIDS Day 2011, UWI STAT, Mona joined other organisations in looking at the theme ‘No New HIV Infections, Know YOUR Status!’ Our activities - in partwere done in collaboration with the Jamaica Medical Students’ Association’s (JAMSA) Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS (SCORA).

The major activity for the day was a balloon display which saw UWI STAT and SCORA Ambassador Kelton Edwards maintaining displaying red balloons along with information on the HIV statistics of Jamaica (the the balloon display.

Jamaica HIV Epidemic Update for 2010 shows there are about 32,000 Jamaicans who are HIV positive and a half of these persons are unaware of their status) and also encouraging persons to practice methods of prevention including condom use and abstinence. Individuals were also encouraged to get tested to ensure that they knew their HIV status in order to protect themselves as well as those they love.

UWI STAT, Mona also had a booth where there were pamphlets as well as condom distribution and demonstrations.

Here, Ambassadors were able to share information with fellow students and teach persons proper condom usage. It is important that as advocates for Safer Sex, we not only advise persons to use condoms, but also that we give tips on and demonstrate proper condom usage. This is important for both the male and female condoms, to prevent any breakage or slippage. As it relates to the female condom, persons often have misconceptions about its use and may need some clarifications before they actually try it.

As UWI STAT Ambassadors, it is our duty to interact with high school students, giving advice on university education.

Ambassadors believe that is imperative that their knowledge on HIV prevention should be shared with younger students. Hence, there was a visit to a high school where Ambassadors spoke with students about Sexual and Reproductive Health issues.

For 2012, the Programming and Volunteerism Committee aims to again encourage persons to know their HIV status, but even more, we aim to encourage persons to prevent new HIV infections.

By Sachalee Campbell, VP Programming and Volunteerism, UWI STAT Mona Corps

Ambassadors Janelle Davis and Kelton Edwards giving students information.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

23

“Excellence in UWI Life Awards” The UWI STAT “Excellence in UWI Life Awards” by the St. Augustine Corps was held on Feb 9, 2012 in the Daaga Auditorium at 6 p.m. It was developed to highlight contributions made to the University community, as well as strides taken towards national and regional development by members of the University community at the St. Augustine Campus. All students, alumni, student organisations, clubs and societies are eligible to be nominated in various categories such as UWI Contribution, National Contribution, Youth Development, Sports Development, Arts and Culture and Entrepreneurship.

UWI STAT St. Augustine Corps

Steven Moore, Amanda Francis, Samantha Alexander, Jabari Gordon and Mary La Toya Johnson) by the Vice Chancellor followed and then a number of special presentations were given. The entertainment was stellar with a solo by Donald Job, who won the 2009 Digicel Rising Star competition in Trinidad and Tobago and by Adrian Jaikaran, a young Pannist/Pan Arranger/Pan Maker and Song Writer. “Jai” as he is commonly known, has been playing the national instrument for more than 10 years and is currently reading for his B.A. degree in Professor Clement Sankat, Pro-Vice Music at UWI. He has arranged for both the Clico Chancellor and Principal, UWI, St. Sforzata Junior and Senior Augustine delivering his remarks.

Pan Ensembles.

The following awards were presented:

For UWI Contribution The evening started with the National Anthem, followed by an Opening Prayer.

Ms. Prunella Mungroo, President, UWI STAT St. Augustine gave Opening Remarks and this was followed by Remarks by Professor Clement Sankat, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, St. Augustine who recognised the presence of the Vice Chancellor, under whom the UWI STAT Ambassdors fall and Mrs. Celia Davidson Francis, Director Alumni Relations, who developed the UWI STAT regional Corps. PVC Sankat noted, "We are counting on you, the students of today and the alumni of tomorrow to continue to build our cherished institution" and congratulated UWI STAT on their hard work and commitment. An Address by Professor E. Nigel Harris, UWI, Vice Chancellor followed highlighting the importance of the Corps in promoting the UWI and Pelican Pride, assisting with recruitment to the institution and representing UWI in different fora. This has led to UWI STAT being recognised by CARICOM and the region's leaders. The feature speaker was Mr. Jason Julien, General Manager, First Citizen Investment Services and he delivered a stirring and inspirational message.

The Induction of new UWI STAT Ambassadors (Nailah Assing, Welete Wickham, Nigel Thomas, Danica Smith, Elizabeth Gunnesslal, Marlene Spencer, Jeanine Germain, Jeanine DeGannes,

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Mr. Hillan Morean in recognition of launching Cadena Sports Management – a movement for development of young people in the area of sport and youth.

UWI STAT St. Augustine Corps with Vice Chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris and Director of Alumni Relations, Mrs. Celia Davidson Francis.

For National Contribution Shalimar UWI Motivated Mentors Outreach Network (S.U.M.M.O.N.) – a mentorship programme to increase social sensitivities among the female students of the UWI by training and preparing them to be mentors to disadvantaged young girls in primary and secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Taureef Mohammed – for his participation in humanitarian and voluntary work on a regular basis both within the community and on a wider scale.

Professor E. Nigel Harris receiving a surprise award from UWI STAT Alumni Ambassador Maurice Burke for his continued support of the regional Corps.

For Sports Development Dominican, Mr. Nabi Wallace – for his work as Head Coach of both the track and field and netball teams at the St. Augustine Campus and the National Under 23 Dragon Boat Racing Team, comprising of 17 UWI students for winning a total of four gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in August 2011.

For Entrepreneurship Mr. Manov Everon, for creating Power Hour Café as an undergraduate Political Science and Management studies student, which serves beverages and pastries, now employs 6 students and operates from 6:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. and Miss Janelle Duke who is pursuing a Master of Arts in History. Here fashion line of crochet accessories and beach wear - ‘Amber Kreed’ - has been featured in the Trinidad Guardian’s WomanWise magazine and is a “name quickly building momentum in the world of beach wear.”

UWI STAT Award for Excellence The UWI STAT Award for Excellence is given to the most outstanding Ambassador selected by his/her peers and was awarded to Elizabeth Gunesslal.

24

STUDENT

Point of View

Randy McLaren was born in Garden Field in St. Thomas, Jamaica, on December 1, 1987. It is here that the self-described “country yute” and “Creative Activist” developed a strong appreciation for family, friends, his upbringing and rural life. After successfully sitting the GSAT examinations, Randy earned a place at Excelsior High and was the only male in his class to pass for a traditional high school in Kingston. As a result, he relocated to the East Kingston community of Rockfort. The Reggae Dub/Spoken Word Poet, Actor and Writer is also a Motivational Facilitator and Youth Leader who is committed to being an example to others.

A MOVER AND

SHAKER IN THE

There are so many ways to describe Randy McLaren: a lover of the creative and performing arts, actor, motivational speaker, poet, youth ambassador, a humble but passionate individual, a self-proclaimed creative activist, and UWI Mona Pelican are just a few. This ever-smiling and motivated young man’s brilliant past and outstanding present make his future very promising. In fact, at the time of penning this article, Randy is in Toronto, Canada representing the country with Jamaica Youth Theatre at the third forum of “Project Groundings - Youth and Community Development in Canada and Jamaica: A Transnational Approach to Youth and Violence”. Funded by the Canadian government, the project is looking into how arts-based initiatives can be used to re-integrate and engage young people who may be prone to violent activities in both countries.

MAKING

A former Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy of Excelsior High and Wolmer’s Boys’ School respectively, Randy is now a Jamaica Youth Ambassador with portfolio responsibility for Education. Currently in his final year at The University of West Indies, the UWI STAT Ambassador is pursuing a degree in Sociology with a minor in Entertainment and Cultural Enterprise Management.

Randy has appeared on several corporate, school and cultural events locally in his short career: the launch of Michael Lee Chin's Leadership Programme at UWI, a National Youth Mainstreaming Workshop, the Independent Voyces Literary Festival, and Dream Jamaica Closing Ceremony to name just a few. His international appearances include locations in Manchester (UK), a school tour in Trinidad and Tobago and York University (Toronto). He also created the title poem for a Canada/Jamaica documentary on HIV/AIDS and youth.

Randy believes firmly that positive and uplifting influences are important in making the lives of young individuals more fulfilling and he truly wishes to help in the wholesome development of children and youth in conflict with the law, or those who may simply need guidance, and he believes that through creative activism, edu–tainment or edu–drama, such a dream can be realised. Therefore, to expand and diversify the work that he does, he and a group of young people have formed IKAN (International Kreativ Aktivism Network), through which they intend to assist in the areas of rehabilitation, recreation and empowerment by creatively engaging teens in correctional facilities and other at-risk youths. They have the talent and the initiative. What they need now is assistance with funding.

As the ‘Kreativ Aktivis’ (Creative Activist), he firmly believes in using his talents to educate and effect positive change.

Randy is currently working on establishing a production company, with a performing arts group that is dedicated to social marketing, cultural preservation, creative activism, edu-drama and edutainment via all forms of expressions. In a nutshell, one may attempt to sum up this dynamic young man as the Creative Leader Activist and Youth (CLAY).

Some of Randy’s most notable pieces are “The creative activist, “Who mi fi vote fah?”, “Armadale: children on fire”, “Progressive Yute” and “Mi love mi breadfruit.” His most powerful performance to date is the piece “Armadale: children on fire”, dedicated to the seven young women who lost their lives, as well as those who remain traumatised, by the fire that destroyed their ‘home’ at The Armadale Juvenile

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Correctional Centre in Alexandria, St. Ann in May 2009. He states that every time he performs it he is humbled and becomes emotional about the whole incident. He entered the piece in the UWI (Mona) theatre arts festival – Tallawah, where he won the award for Best Poetry Performance in 2010. After presenting the piece at the last instalment of the Yute X Conference, he discovered that the loud outburst made in the middle of his performance had come from a survivor of the tragic incident. “It was quite moving to hear the story from a first-hand perspective,” said McLaren, who struggled to hold back his tears. He is now very good friends with the young lady and has become a big brother and mentor to her.

By: Candice Stewart

25

UWI Grads

On the Move

Elizabeth L. Salmon, Attorney-at-Law was admitted to the partnership of Rattray Patterson Rattray. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the UWI and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree and a Master’s degree in Law, both from the University of Liverpool. She was admitted to the Jamaican Bar in 2004.

Bahamian Dr. Perry Gomez, a native of the Berry Islands graduated from The University of the West Indies with a medical degree and specialised in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Wayne State University. Dr. Gomez served as the National Director of The Bahamas’ HIV/AIDS programme and is a pioneer in the fight against HIV/AIDS locally and internationally.

Caymanian physician Dr. Ciara Best has joined the medical team at the Health Services Authority. She received her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, and plans to spend some time with the Health Services Authority before specialising. Prior to joining the Health Services Authority, Dr. Best interned at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Jamaica where she rotated through the Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics Departments. She also has experience as Senior House Officer in Pathology and also worked in the Accident and Emergency Department. She is currently working on the Medical Ward at the Cayman Islands Hospital. Chief Executive Officer of the Health Services Authority Lizzette Yearwood said she was proud to welcome another returning Caymanian doctor to the team.

Mark Chisolm JP – Executive Vice President, Individual Insurance Division – Sagicor Life Jamaica Ltd. graduated form The University of the West Indies with a MBA (Distinction).

Nicola Leo-Rhynie – Vice President, Employee Benefits Marketing, Sagicor Life Jamaica Ltd. holds a B.A. in Accounting and Economics from the UWI and a MBA from the University of Wales (Manchester Business School).

Anna M. Graceie, Attorney-at-Law was admitted to the partnership of Rattray Patterson Rattray. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the UWI, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Kent at Canterbury and a Master’s degree in Law from Brunel University. She was admitted to the Jamaican Bar in 2004.

Picewell Forbes is an alumnus of the College of the Bahamas, and completed studies at The University of the West Indies (Bachelor’s) and Nova Southeastern University (Master’s). He has been a member of the broadcasting community for a number of years and has served in various capacities including Announcer, Deputy Director, Radio Programming & Production, Acting Assistant General Manager, Radio and as Deputy General Manager, Radio Programming and Production.

CARIMAC Graduate Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer is now Jamaica's Minister of Information.

Ike Johnson, now Senior Strategy Management Officer at Jamaica Money Market Brokers in Jamaica.

Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer

Samantha Chantrelle is Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation, Jamaica, UWI graduate and graduate of the University of California at Berkerley.

Dr. Rohan W. Moffatt, UWI (Mona) graduate has joined the Shore Health System medical staff in Cambridge, MD, USA.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

26

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI announced, in Rome, the election of Monsignor (Msgr) Kenneth David Oswin Richards, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of St. John's - Basseterre and his ordination took place on February 8, 2012 at the Holy Family Cathedral in St John’s, Antigua. He attended St. Michael’s Seminary, The University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He was ordained Diaconate in 1984 and served all over Jamaica, then he was ordained Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kingston and in 2009 he was bestowed the title of Monsignor. He was President of the Diocesan Priests Association from 2005 - 2008 and Vice President of the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) from 2008- 2011.

Rory Butler who works with The Observer (Antigua), after gaining a B.Sc. in Sociology at UWI St. Augustine is off on a six-month internship at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, England where the developmental internship will improve his journalistic skills.

Amalia Maharaj - LLB (Hons.) from UWI and LEC (Merit) from the Hugh Wooding Law School is a Partner in the firm Pollonais, Blanc de la Bastide and Jacelon in Trinidad and has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Agostini’s Ltd. Dave Rodney - Media Marketer at IMAGES Media LLC in New York, USA. In October 2011, Jo-Anne Sewlal’s research was featured in the show "Wild Freaks of Nature" which aired on the Science Channel, which is part of the Discovery Channel.

Here is a link to a clip of the documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n Kn6igzl1LA&feature=youtu.be which was recently posted on The University of the West Indies Youtube channel.

For UWI Grads on the Move contact: celia.davidson-francis@alumni.uwi.edu

Rappin’ with ALUMNI

SPORTS UWI Mona and CHESS With a respectable tournament score of four points from six games, Stuart James tied for third place for the board performance in the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championships in Dallas, Texas.

James, who played on board two helped the team representing The University of the West Indies, Mona, to end the tournament on 2.5 points and place third as the best international team in the competition. This is the second time that a team from UWI, Mona, has participated in the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championships. Other members of the 2011 team from UWI were National Master Damion Davy (National Champion), Zachary Ramsay and Miguel Asher (National Junior Champion). The Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championships, first held in 1946, is organised by the United States Chess Federation and is open to any team comprising four players and up to two alternates from the same post-secondary school (university, college, community college) in North America, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean. The winner from the field of 28 teams in the tournament was the University of Texas.

What’s your name? Cecile Roberta Clayton What country are you from? Jamaica What high school did you attend?

St. Hugh’s High School What year did you enter UWI and to what faculty?

1966 in Faculty of Arts and General Studies What is your first memory of UWI? Getting lost trying to register for courses that first week Who was your favourite lecturer and why?

No question, Professor Edward Baugh – awesome!

Who was your worst? I can’t recall!

On what hall did you live?

The Hall of Halls of course (in case you don’t know: TAYLOR) Were you given a nickname while on hall? If so, what was it and why was it given to you?

Not really. Our eventual Hall Chairman, Mr. Horton Dolphin, took to calling me “Cexeel”. Ask him why!

The first 2 afros at UWI - Cecile Clayton (L) and Pat Austin - January 1968

What is your most memorable occasion at UWI? The whole of the first year experience was memorable.

What is your least memorable occasion at UWI? Having to leave before the end-of-year fetes because of the sudden illness of my Dad, who eventually died on August 4 of my first year.

If you could do it all again what would you do the same and what would you change?

I would probably not waste so much time in my second year, study harder and get a higher class degree.

If you could give a few words of advice to incoming students what would you say to them?

Make the time to participate in as many extra-curricular activities as possible, as this is what will make your university life memorable.

Cecile Clayton (R) and Paulette Seaton outside their room at Taylor Hall January 1967.

Thanks for sharing your memories of your time spent as a student at UWI. For Rappin’ With Alumni contact: elizabeth.buchananhind@uwimona.edu.jm

We featured Mr. Howard Hamilton in UWI Connect Vol. 6, Issue 4 and received the following letter in response which we would like to share:

The Hon. Usain Bolt O.J., UWI Honorary Graduate, received the Sagicor Iconic Award which recognises the achievements of individuals or institutions in sports at an administrative, competitive or technical level - nationally, regionally and internationally.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

I received my UWI Connect today and ..it was great to see Howard G Hamilton featured .....(we called him Ben Bow back then! Just look at his knees!!!). I -as an Irviniterecall with clarity the event of placing Benjies Morris Minor in the dining room!!! I wonder if Ben Bow remembers the event where the same Benjie came "home" to block D to find the same vehicle in his room...and since there was a problem with space...his entire "room" on the roof of block D. (Moved out was the expression.) Does Howie recall The Union and playing Skittles with Charlie Thessaiger, C.B. Foster , myself and others??? He might remember me as Massa Jesus as I was at that time referred to ....started by Alvin Guy who ran the Students Union.The alternative moniker was "The Late J". Clearly this brought back many fond memories and I would suggest that the highlight of personalities (like Ben Bow) would bring back similar memories to generations of Alumni. UWI Connect is an outstanding Magazine and I thank you for it.

Dr. Karl Massiah, Toronto, Canada

27

HAPPENINGS CAVE HILL Five highly deserving employees of the Cave Hill Campus have joined the honour roll of distinguished winners of the Principal’s Award for Excellence.

The latest recipients of the coveted prize are maintenance worker, Mr. Wilbur Barrow; administrative assistants Ms. Natasha Corbin and Mrs. Kay Browne; and faculty members Professor Jane Bryce and Dr. Eddy Ventose.

Successful collaboration with the private sector has contributed significantly towards the expansion and modernisation of the plant at the Cave Hill Campus. Generous private sector contributions include: • SAGICOR and BNB for the internationally recognised 3Ws Oval, Frank Worrell Memorial and Campus Entrance; • CLICO towards provision of the CLICO Teaching Complex; • Scotiabank towards setting up the Student Entrepreneurial Empowerment Development (SEED) project • BNB towards the outfitting of the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI) • RBC towards the development of the EBCCI • LIME installation of flood lights at 3Ws Oval • Businessman Paul Altman towards the Entrepreneurial Centre.

The latest is an approximate $1.5 million injection from USAID to support climate change teaching, research space and scholarship assistance.

Cave Hill hosts Caribbean Integration Week 2012 From Jan 31- Feb 3, 2012 UWI Cave Hill hosted Caribbean Integration Week 2012, under the theme, ‘Integration.’

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Various activities of a social, academic and cultural nature were held to bring students together. The official launch was held at the 3W’s, Cave Hill Campus and it was noted that the activities were diversified to interest staff, students and alumni and to turn "integration" from rhetoric to reality.

It was noted that Cave Hill has persons here from every English-speaking Caribbean island and thus the aim was to foster UWI pride and maintain contact and socialisation among our three sister campuses. Activities included a T-Shirt Day and an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, a mock Caribbean heads of government meeting, inter-campus debates, a fashion show and two panel discussions brought light to the topics ‘West Indian Identity’ and ‘How has West Indies Cricket facilitated the development of a West Indian identity’. To end the week the annual fete, ‘Integration 4G’ featured Beenie Man and Alison Hinds.

MONA

Professor of Education at the State University of New York (SUNY), Pedro Noguera was the featured speaker at a seminar with the theme “Education for Social Development” on January 19, 2011, which was hosted by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at UWI, Mona. He has published extensively on educational reform and his topic was “Education for Social and Economic Development: Toward a more Equitablee and Just Jamaica in the 21st Century”. The seminar is one of a series being hosted by SALISES as Jamaica celebrates 50 years of nationhood according to Dr. Brian Meeks, SALISES Director.

Research Days 2012 - The two-day exhibition took place on January 28-29,

28

ON THE CAMPUS YOU ATTENDED under the theme “Education for a better nation, a stronger region”. It featured over 100 exhibits mounted in the Assembly Hall, UWI, Mona and in Tent City, on the lawns adjacent the Senate Building. Tours were conducted throughout all the Faculties. In addition, cultural and heritage tours of the Mona Campus took place to introduce persons to its rich and varied past. The Mona Campus also hosted a Research Forum for high school and college principals.

Research Day is designed to showcase the ground-breaking research conducted by members of the academic community at Mona and allows members of the public to interact with many of the award-winning individuals whose work will be on display. Alumni and the public were invited to attend all the events.

The Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Research (SALISES) at the UWI, Mona Campus, under its flagship Fifty-Fifty research project, hosted a conference entitled: Law & Justice in the post-independence era: Reflecting on the first 50 years, projecting beyond from February 2-3, 2012. In keeping with the overall concept behind the Fifty-Fifty project, the conference examined law, legal institutions and justice in the context of post-independence societies, particularly those of the Caribbean.

Mona celebrated its 9th Annual Career Awareness Month in February 2012 disseminating information for the World of Work. The Career Exposition and Job Fair was on February 23 - 24.

UPCOMING Fifty Years of Geology at the UWI Alumni, past staff and friends of the Department are invited to a 50th Anniversary Reunion from May 17-20, 2012. Put May 19th in your diary for the banquet at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge.

Contact uwigeology50@yahoo.com for information.

HAPPENINGS OPEN The UWI Open Campus (Antigua & Barbuda) The Development Committee of the University of Antigua & Barbuda and the Antigua & Barbuda Studies Association collaborated to put on a conference tackling science, education and development. The conference opened on January 16, 2012 with a lecture at the UWI Open Campus on the late Antigua & Barbuda Professor Charles Ephraim’s Philosophy of Education by Lewis Ricardo Gordon, the Laura Carnell Professor of Philosophy at Temple.

The Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AHTA) has partnered with the UWI Open Campus in Antigua to offer training opportunities and professional development to hospitality workers. A 10-week course started in early December 2011, and ran until mid-February 2012. Fifty students attended classes two times a week at the Open Campus facility and they come from 13 different members companies. The majority work within the hotel industry, however the course is open to all tourism-related companies.

ST. AUGUSTINE UWI 2nd International Tourism Conference – Jan 18-21, 2012.

The Department of Management Studies collaborated with the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ryerson University, Canada and London Metropolitan University, UK to host the 2nd International Tourism Conference from January 18-21, 2012. The theme was “Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries: Exploring the Linkages.”

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

Jan 2011 - The UWI, St. Augustine, signed an agreement with the Indira Gandhi National Open University to introduce distance learning courses to Trinidad and Tobago. The Sri Ram Institute will also be providing UWI assistance in the field of research testing.

"Conversations with Prime Ministers" featured the Hon. Basdeo Panday. It was the second in a four-part series which features former Prime Ministers of Trinidad & Tobago.

It took place at the Daaga Auditorium at the St. Augustine Campus on Thursday January 26, 2012. Mr. Panday addressed the audience about his views on the independence experience, his stewardship as Prime Minister, his vision for the future and related matters. The Conversations with Prime Ministers are an integral part of the UWI celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Trinidad & Tobago. One with former Prime Minister, Patrick Manning is planned for February 2012 and a final one with current Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar is for March 2012.

Professor Clement Sankat, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, UWI, St. Augustine Campus, and the Director of Institutional Advancement and Internationalisation, Sharan C. Singh, went on a ten-day mission in partnership with the delegation led by the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar comprising other tertiary institutions, public and private organisations with interests in Indian partnerships. The purpose of this mission was for the regional UWI to deepen and strengthen the institution’s collaboration with Indian higher education institutions to build capacity and enhance competitiveness.

The meetings in New Delhi produced a number of tangible positive outcomes, such as the setting up of demonstration laboratories at the UWI in the near future, and the three days culminated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of India through its Department of AYUSH on January 6th

29

ON THE CAMPUS YOU ATTENDED for provision of a Professor in Ayurveda to the UWI. The signing took place at New Delhi’s famous Hyderabad House, which hosts most visiting Heads of State to India, and was done in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, government ministers and other senior officials from both countries.

The UWI Debe campus is to be completed and outfitted for a new intake of law students by 2014. At the sod-turning ceremony for the campus at the M2 Ring Road, Debe, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the campus will help develop all of south Trinidad.

Carnival - UWI, St. Augustine Style!

UWI St. Augustine started Campus Carnival 2012 with Jouvay Ayiti, from January 27, 2012. Put on by the UWI’s Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA), Jouvay Ayiti is a transformative Carnival Project which melds Haiti’s culture and Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival. It began with a ‘Mas Camp Lime,’ on January 27th and continued every Friday at 8:00 p.m., until Carnival Friday. It featured traditional mas-men Carlyle and Penco, who have more than 50 years of experience in J'ouvert between them.

The IGDS Lunchtime Seminar Lecture Series on 'Gender and the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals’ is a joint initiative of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, St. Augustine Unit, UWI, and the Gender Theme Group of the United Nations System, Trinidad & Tobago. The lecture by Nana OyeHesse Bayne, took place on Wednesday, December 14, 2012 at UN House, Chancery Lane, Port of Spain. The title of the lecture was: Gender & the Millennium Development Goal 2: Achieving Universal Primary Education.

The lecture examined achieving Universal Primary Education from a Caribbean Perspective, analysing the translation of the achievements to the national scene in Trinidad and Tobago.

UWI COUPLES

UWI GRADUATES MARRIED TO UWI GRADUATES

Three Generations of UWI Attendees Joswyn Leo-Rhynie was a student at Calabar High School in Kingston, Jamaica when he met Elsa Fairweather who was attending St. Andrew High School for Girls. They always knew that The University of the West Indies (UWI) would be their next port of call but little did they know how significant a role UWI would play in their lives, their children’s lives and their children’s children’s lives.

In 1992, Elsa returned to UWI as Professor of Gender and Development Studies and fulfilled the mandate of establishing the UWI Centre for Gender and Development Studies. Thus began her meteoric rise to Deputy Principal of the Mona Campus in 1996, to Pro Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies in 2002, to first female Principal at UWI when she was appointed to head the Mona Campus in 2006. When she retired in 2007, the University lost one of its most outstanding faculty members and administrators.

Fifty years after stepping on to the grounds of the Mona Campus and after acquiring eight UWI degrees in the nuclear family, Justine, their granddaughter, having completed the International Baccalaureate programme at Hillel Academy, enrolled in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Mona Campus this academic year.

Two of Jos and Elsa’s three children followed in their parents’ footsteps: Lisa was admitted to the Faculty of Natural Sciences in 1983, and on completing her undergraduate degree was admitted to the Medical programme from which she graduated in 1991. After working in Barbados for four years she went to Scotland where she worked with professors gaining clinical experience and sitting the examinations of the Royal College of Ophthalmology to qualify as an ophthalmologist. She now shares a practice with Patrick Griffith, her Barbadian husband who attended Harrison College in Barbados, who is also a graduate of the UWI Medical Sciences Faculty and himself an ophthalmologist. They have three children, the oldest of which is Justine, our most recent UWI addition of the extended Leo-Rhynie family.

Theirs has been a long symbiotic journey with the University – the nurtured turned nurturers- with all having gained significantly from the experience.

Jos and Elsa arrived at the University College of the West Indies in 1961, the year before it was established as The Jos and Elsa Leo-Rhynie University of the West Indies, a full-fledged institution in its own right and when it was the only institution of higher education in the region. He was admitted to the Faculty of Arts graduating with Honours in History and she to the Faculty of Natural Sciences graduating with honours in Botany and Zoology. She lived on Mary Seacole Hall and he on Taylor Hall.

Upon graduation, Jos was accepted to Gray’s Inn to study Law and not wanting to leave Elsa behind they got married and went off to London where they would live from 1964-67. Jos received an external LLB from London University and was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn. They returned to Jamaica where Jos practised in the private bar. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in January 1981 and joined the law firm of Livingston, Alexander and Levy as a Partner. He served as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council from 1974 -1983 and became Chairman of the Council in 1989 – a position which he held for six years. He retired from Livingston, Alexander and Levy in 2007.

Elsa taught in England and at Meadowbrook High School in Jamaica. She pursued a UWI Diploma in Education in 1974 1975 and in 1975 started a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology which was upgraded to a PhD. She completed her degree in 1978 and became a Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in the then Faculty of Education, UWI. She left UWI in 1987 to serve as Executive Director of the Institute of Management and Production.

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

After graduating from Campion College, Andrew, the second of Elsa and Jos’s children was admitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences graduating with a degree in Accounting. He received an MBA from Manchester University and is a Certified Business Valuator having been qualified by the Canadian Institute of Business Valuators. He is Vice President - Strategy at GraceKennedy Financial Group Ltd. Andrew is married to Nicola (nee Ottey) also a graduate of the Faculty of Social Sciences with a degree in Accounting and Economics. Nicola was promoted recently to Sr. Vice President Human Resources at Sagicor in Jamaica.

Elsa and Jos’s younger son Gavin would have loved to have joined us here at UWI but at the time UWI did not offer a degree in Electronic Engineering so he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with degrees in Software Engineering and Economics and is currently a Manager at Goldman Sachs in New York City.

So here is another wonderful tale of a UWI couple producing generations of UWI attendees; six outstanding professionals, eight UWI degrees (soon to be nine), who bear witness to the significant impact that the University has made at home and abroad. UWI - the wonderful gift that keeps on giving - the students the Leo-Rhynies taught/teach, the legal problems solved, the patients they treat, the customers they serve and the children in whom they have inculcated great values.

For UWI Couples contact: elizabeth.buchananhind@uwimona.edu.jm

30

TRIBUTE

In

Caribbean, he loved its people. One

Celebration of their Lives

could say that he connected the Caribbean to Canada and vice versa.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in memory of Rickard’s life-long commitment to the Caribbean and Caribbean Tourism is paying tribute to him by naming a Colin Rickards Scholarship. He was one of the founding members of the CTO Scholarship Foundation and was an active and

Colin Rickards was a “Friend of the UWI” and a staunch advocate of the UWI

passionate member who tirelessly

Toronto Gala. He was one of Canada’s iconic authors and journalists and a columnist

championed its mission and goals. He

with Canada’s largest Caribbean newspaper, the Caribbean Camera, for 15 years and

was a Jamaica Weekly Gleaner

was one of Canada’s leading authorities on Caribbean affairs and history.

writer/feature writer and wrote a weekly column - Caribbean People - for

Although born in England, he had strong Caribbean ties and focused his attention on

Caribbean Camera newspaper and did

the Caribbean. He worked as a journalist in England, the Caribbean and Canada. In

book reviews for the St. Lucia-based

the 1960s, in London, England, he was a correspondent for newspapers in Jamaica,

She Magazine. At the time of his death,

Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Antigua, British Honduras (Belize), and St.

he was part of the local publication

Lucia. He traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Central America as a

committee compiling a coffee-table book

Foreign Correspondent for several British newspapers and the BBC World Service.

- When the Ackee Meets the Saltfish - to be launched for Jamaica’s 50th

He was one of the world’s foremost experts on Caribbean history and politics. He was

Independence Anniversary.

once nominated for an Order of Canada. He wrote a number of well-received books and was also well known in literary circles in Canada. He was also a personal friend of

Rickards was a member of the Who’s

many of the world’s best known writers, including CLR James, VS Naipaul and Samuel

who in Black Canada directory’s advisory

Selvon. He was often the “go-to” guy for information on the Caribbean for many of

group and The University of the West

Canada’s leading newspapers, television stations and radio stations.

Indies (UWI) Benefit Gala Committee which raises funds for scholarships and

Many Canadians feel that there was none in Canada better than Colin when coming to

honours graduates and university

knowing the history and current affairs of the Caribbean. For 14 years he worked as

supporters who are making significant

the editor of Caribbean Business News and the West Indies and Caribbean Yearbook.

contributions in Canada. He would have

He worked at Share magazine in Toronto, Pride, the Caribbean Camera and Contrast.

celebrated his 74th birthday on December 15. The UWI family extends

He appeared on CTV and BBC as an expert on everything Caribbean; in fact he was

condolences to his wife Ida and son

known as a walking encyclopaedia of everything Caribbean. he truly loved the

Damien.

“Rexan” Celebration As the 10th Anniversary of Rex Nettleford Hall at UWI, Mona was celebrated, it was noted that Rex always sought to and continues to provide the holistic development of its residents.

Co-curricular activities range from sports to culture and give students a good balance. Named after Professor the Hon. Milton “Rex” Nettleford, the Hall has impacted beyond its boundaries through its mentorship programme: Literacy, Numeracy, Values and Attitudes (LINVAT). The “White Glove Society” - a Rex innovation, which provides protocol services for major events.

Its UWISERT (Student Emergency Medical Response Team) continues to provide exemplary service. Donna-Mae Jackson, Student Services and Development Manager for Rex has been there for all ten years and considers all 800 student residents to be “her children”. She is proud to have impacted so many lives.

Congrats to all “Rexans”!

www.alumnionline.uwi.edu/donatenow

31

Sports day

Participants in musical competition having fun!

FEATURE

The University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor’s Presidents Club

Oooooooooooooooo

UWIAA - Presidents Capt. Samuel Cumberbatch - Barbados Mr. Frank Paco Smith - Belize Dr. Marcia Potter - British Virgin Islands Mrs. Leonora Wynter - Cayman Islands Mrs. A. Missouri Sherman-Peter Commonwealth of The Bahamas Mrs. Yvanette Baron-George - Dominica Dr. Rupert Rhodd - Florida Mr. A. Gilbert Bellamy - Jamaica Mrs. Delmaude Ryan - Montserrat Dr. Gerald White-Davis - New York Mrs. Cicely Jacobs (Acting) - St. Kitts & Nevis Ms. Daisy Rose (Acting) - St. Lucia President to be elected - St. Vincent & the Grenadines Mr. Ferdinand Fortune and Mr Michael Henville - Toronto Mr. Mark Regis - Trinidad & Tobago President to be elected - United Kingdom Ms. Sha-Shana Crichton - Washington DC UWIAA - Past Presidents Mr. Ricardo Knight - Barbados Ms. Maxine McClean - Barbados Prof. Frank Alleyne - Barbados Ms. Cheryl Williams - Barbados Dr. Lisa Johnson - Belize Mr. Frederick Sandiford - Belize Dr. Kedrick Pickering - British Virgin Islands Mrs. Deborah Ann Chambers - Cayman Ms. Irma Edwards - Dominica Mr. Anthony Williams - Florida Mr. Ronald White - Florida Prof. Marcia Magnus - Florida Mrs. Margaret Barrett - Florida Ms. Claudia Halley - Grenada Mrs. Nadine Marriott - Jamaica Mrs. Patricia Sutherland - Jamaica Prof. Neville Ying - Jamaica Mrs. Beverley Pereira - Jamaica Mrs. Brenda Skeffrey - Jamaica Dr. Caroline Lawrence - St. Kitts & Nevis Dr. Cameron Wilkinson - St. Kitts & Nevis Mrs. Candia Williams - Montserrat Ms. Laurine Fenton - Montserrat Ms. Sheree Jemmotte - Montserrat Dr. Hazel Carter - New York Mr. Nkrumah Lucien - St. Lucia Mr. Randy Boucher - St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Ms. Maud Fuller - Toronto Mr. James Richardson - Trinidad & Tobago Mr. Jerry Medford - Trinidad & Tobago Mr. Frederick Bowen - Trinidad & Tobago Mr. Ulric Warner - Trinidad & Tobago Mr. Daniel Sankar - Trinidad & Tobago Prof. Franklin Knight - Washington DC UWIMAA - Presidents Dr. Michael Charles - Barbados Dr. Karl Massiah - Canada Dr. Homer Bloomfield - Commonwealth of The Bahamas Dr. Victor Boodhoo - Florida (Central) Dr. Aileen Standard-Goldson - Jamaica Dr. Deo Singh - Trinidad & Tobago Dr. Gerry Groves - USA Tri-State UWIMAA - Past Presidents Dr. Jeff Massay - Barbados Dr. Michael Hoyos - Barbados Dr. Robin Roberts - Commonwealth of The Bahamas Dr. Cecil Aird - Florida (Central) Dr. Novelle Kirwan - Florida (Central) Dr. Anna Matthews - Jamaica Dr. Peter Fletcher - Jamaica Dr. Sonia Henry-Heywood - Jamaica Dr. Richard Whitelocke - Jamaica Dr. Nadia Williams - Jamaica Dr. Wendel Guthrie - Jamaica Dr. R. E. David Thwaites - Jamaica Dr. Vijay Naraynsingh - Trinidad & Tobago Dr. Godfrey Rajkuma - Trinidad & Tobago Dr. Winston Mitchell - USA Tri-State Dr. Hardat Sukhdeo - USA Tri-State Dr. Kathleen Watson - USA Tri-State UWIGNA (Canada) - President Ms. Millicent Robb UWIGNA (Canada) - Past President Ms. Sybil Bent UWIEA - Regional Contact Eng. Dr. David Smith UWIEA - Former Representatives Eng. Hopeton Heron - Jamaica Eng. Clyde Phillip - Trinidad & Tobago

Alumnus and Council Representatives For Aug 1, 2011 - July 31, 2013

For Aug 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012

Alumnus Representative Mr. A. Gilbert Bellamy (Jamaica)

Council Representative Mr. Frank Paco Smith Jr. (Belize)

Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Belize British Virgin Islands Cayman Commonwealth of The Bahamas Dominica Florida Guyana Jamaica Montserrat New York St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and The Grenadines Toronto Trinidad and Tobago United Kingdom Washington D.C.

UWIAA Alumni Contacts Grenada Guangdong Ottawa Suriname Turks & Caicos Islands

Campus Alumni Offices Cave Hill Campus Tel: 246-417-4544 alumnioffice@cavehill.uwi.edu Contact: Mrs. Roseanne Maxwell Mona Campus Tel: 876-927-1583 uwialumni@yahoo.com Contact: Mrs. Charmaine Wright Open Campus Tel: 876-927-2478 Ext. 2482 alumni@open.uwi.edu Contact: Open Campus Registrar St. Augustine Campus Tel: 868-663-1579, 868-662-2002, Ext: 2099 Charmain.Subero@sta.uwi.edu Contact: Ms. Charmain Subero

Coordinating Office Alumni Relations Institutional Advancement Division directoralumni@alumni.uwi.edu