UWI Connect June 2009

Chancellor’s Column

Website: www.alumnionline.uwi.edu

Volume 4, Issue 4

UWI and CXC aim to transform “Regurgitation” to “Critical Thinking” DOMINICA GETS

CRICKET FEVER UWIREF Scholarships Awarded ALUMNI RELATIONS:

The Way Forward

“One UWI, One Alumni Family”

June - August 2009

UWI Connect: For Alumni, Donors, Parents and Friends Very Important Pelican (VIP) President’s Profile UWIAA New York Chapter “Critical Thinking”

Editorial

and reaching out locally Our University is and es nc die au of variety internationally to a ent Institutional Advancem articulating through the of n rtant role and contributio Division (IAD) the impo d beyond.

UWI in the Caribbean an that there are many countries Throughout the world of ns ult of the contributio have benefitted, as a res ry, ust areas as commerce, ind UWI graduates in such on and the like. media, medicine, educati enge to be faced with the chall Regionally we continue ving ha ll sti resources while of continued diminishing by on ati uc ed of a first class to maintain our tradition s ha ty rsi ive Un . As such the first class faculty members fsel d an nt de re indepen to strive to become mo financing.

UWI make everyone in the The IAD is striving to more w no is I UW t realise tha community and beyond i as mn alu its of rt the suppo dependent than ever on nd. bean society and beyo well as the wider Carib are of ated and also made aw Alumni must be cultiv we students, which is why these facts while they are d an e nt alumni programm have introduced a stude over time. hope to introduce others have our alumni will want to We wish to ensure that ya pla to UWI and will want a lifelong affiliation with . on uti tit ins tuation of this role in the life and perpe to s ter ap Ch th the UWIAA The IAD is working wi ing ere the institution is go wh educate alumni about I‘s UW the g ist in ensurin and how they can ass the of rt pa a they can be success, as well as how journey.

AT nt alumni group UWI ST We encourage our stude g on am t en em olv alumni inv to keep advocating for the ve ha nts de stu r that ou their peers as we know this rters and advocates. In po sup r ou potential to be sh newly established Briti issue we highlight the d an rsity of the West Indies Foundation for The Unive r ou ts and contributions of celebrate the achievemen ers. graduates and staff memb vidson Francis Celia Da

Editor-in-Chief

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Alumni Relations - The Way Forward New Publications British Foundation for the UWI Great Reasons to Donate to the UWI Future Leaders Meet Dominica Gets Cricket Fever Smoker 2009

7 9 10 12 13 14 15

UWIREF Scholarships A Top “Brainiac” with UWI Roots “Happenings” on the Campus you attended In Celebration of Their Lives

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Cover photo: The Queen's Way entrance to the Mona Campus

by Jeremy Francis, CARIMAC graduate

UWI Connect Editorial Team: Celia Davidson Francis (Editor-in-Chief), Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Beverley Pereira, Aileen Standard-Goldson, Marcia Erskine, Stephanie Alleyne, Kellie Magnus Sources: Student and Campus Newsletters, News Items and Announcements, Campus Communications and Public Relations Offices, Faculties, Departments, UWIAA, Campus Electronic Messaging Centres, the Open Campus, UWIMAA, UWI Medical Alumni Secretariat, Campus Alumni Offices, Office of Administration and others.

Photography: Nathaniel Stewart, UWI student, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences and campus photographers.

Publishing Services: Stratcom Marketing Services Limited Yvonne Graham, graduate, Mona School of Business, UWI

The UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) encourages all graduates to send articles/information to UWI Connect.

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Chancellor’s Column

Proselytizing in a good cause I trust that those of you who receive this edition of the magazine will not only read it but will also pass it on to those of your friends who have not put their names on the mailing list. I trust that you will particularly seek out alumni who have hitherto showed little or no interest in reconnecting with the University.

Perhaps some of you are collectors and believe that in years to come a pristine set of the magazines will fetch a high price on eBay or whatever has replaced eBay as a method of conducting commerce in cyberspace. I do believe however that the best magazine will be one that shows signs of having been read by several persons.

I share it and I have often reflected on why.

Sometimes I believe it is because of my pride in the University and also because the three most important moments of my life have been connected with it. My wife may differ, but I believe that the three moments that have defined me have been my entrance into the University College as it then was, my graduation and my marriage to a nurse from the University Hospital of the West Indies.

We do wish you to reburnish your “Pelican Pride”. This cannot be done by the University alone and therefore I ask your help in reconnecting others with the University.

I confess that on coming to Mona, the thought of being an alumnus of a great institution never crossed my mind. My mind was focused much more on pleasurable pursuits, most of which had nothing to do with study. There was the freedom of being away from parents, the interaction with students from different countries and backgrounds and the sheer joy of self-exploration. There was no effort from the beginning to so brand the University to me that it would always remain a part of me. No graduate from an institution that I knew was referred to as an alumnus. They were “Old Boys” and “Old Girls” and there was fierce loyalty to the school. One only had to attend the Jamaica Secondary School Athletic Championships to appreciate the tie of the school and indeed it was sport that tended to bind those graduates. The concept of strong alumni ties to our institution is something that

had and has to be built and we do not have the glue of sport to do so.

The importance of football to American colleges for example is tied up with retaining and fomenting alumnus loyalty and contributions.

But a few years after graduation and realising the richness of the University experience from a distance, it became clearer to me that there was indeed a great debt that I owed to the University. The University experience had really shaped me for life! I believe that that process of establishing alumni pride is a slow one that is helped by the kind of deliberate branding that is now being put in place slowly but surely. We do wish you to reburnish your “Pelican Pride”. This cannot be done by the University alone and therefore I ask your help in reconnecting others with the University and I can be absolutely sure of this if you go visit the website or if you send us an email with your suggestions as to how the branding might be made more effective and how we may reach more of those whose perception of the usefulness of reconnecting needs to be rekindled.

Good luck, happy sharing and please accept the role of proselyte!

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Recognising Excellence

Very Important Pelican (VIP) University only two days before he was set to leave for college in the U.K. “This intervention altered the course of my future”, says Hennis, who has no doubt about God’s daily role in his life.

A model student, Hennis was also involved in co-curricular activities which did not hinder him graduating with several honours in 1987.

Hennis can boast of a broad experience of the Jamaican culture and landscape.

Indeed, his range of experiences went far beyond what most non-Jamaicans in the early 1980s would have bargained for. His summation of this experience is insightful: “An encapsulation of life in the real world – sunshine and rain, mountain tops and valleys; joys and sorrows - but on the whole a brilliant time away from home.”

Professor Anselm Hennis

Husband to Heather, father of two, second of his parents’ six sons, Professor Anselm Hennis, grew up in Antigua and then Barbados. While conducting experiments which on one occasion left him bereft of his eyebrows and his mother nearly without a stove, no one anticipated his future contributions to glaucoma research as well as studies in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Certainly, when he was ‘borrowing’ his father’s car on Friday evenings to go joy-riding with his brothers, leading the region’s studies in breast and prostate cancer must have been farthest from his mind.

He recounts reading Taylor Caldwell’s ‘Lucanus, Dear and Glorious Physician’ at the age of thirteen, which inspired him to seek a career in medicine. He vividly recounts his ‘aha’ moment to become a doctor, as he read the account of the life and works of St. Luke, the widely acclaimed second century physician and author of The Gospel According to St. Luke.

It would seem that divine providence led him to UWI Mona. It was either that or through sheer luck that having won a Barbados Scholarship and with his admission to Mona uncertain, he received a call, offering him a place at the

One of the most notable aspects of Professor Hennis’ career is his research. He is featured in UWI ‘60 under 60’ as a top researcher; “Professor Hennis was co-investigator with the Barbados Eye Studies which highlighted high rates of glaucoma in Barbados and identified new risk factors. He has collaborated on grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wellcome Trust and Alliance for Lupus research, and has published nearly 70 peer-reviewed articles. Professor Hennis has won awards for his contribution to research including the Edward Kass Memorial prize and the inaugural Principal’s Award for Research Excellence at Cave Hill. He serves as Scientific Secretary to the Caribbean Health Research Council.” He later received the Vice Chancellor’s award for excellence in November 2008.

Prof. Hennis attributes his move towards glaucoma research as “another miracle in my life”. While completing his PhD at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, he made contact with Professor Leske, principal investigator of the Barbados Eye Studies. Dr. Leske invited him to join the project, and despite initial reservations he became a key player in one of the region’s monumental research projects. The fruits of this research have not only affected the Caribbean. Hennis notes that, “It has informed policy in the USA for the eye care of African Americans, and has contributed new information to our understanding of the major causes of visual loss.” He also noted the recent discovery of a novel glaucoma gene in Barbadians.

Hennis notes that much of his work also focuses on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. He led the Barbados arm of the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study, which followed 25,000 women across the globe through their pregnancies, and has provided robust information about gestational diabetes.

When asked about how he regards the UWI as an institution, Professor Hennis responded that, “The UWI is the single most important tertiary institution in the region, and has been a major driver of the region’s development. As the Vice Chancellor has stated, education must be seen in terms of its value as a ‘currency’, and we all have to invest it wisely in developing our principal resource; Caribbean people”. Prof. Hennis himself is a part of Caribbean history and its integration movement not only as a researcher, but as a member of the first group of students who sat CXC Examinations in 1979.

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President’s Profile

UWIAA New York Chapter Dr. Gerald E. White-Davis, Ed. D., Ed. M., M.A. has worked both in the private and public sectors. He has over 30 years combined experience in education, programme management and supervision. He is currently an Academic Advisor and Lecturer in the Freshman Year Program, Medgar Evers College, City University of New York; where he previously held the positions of Associate Director at the Caribbean Research Center; Education Director of the Immigration Center, Center for Law and Social Justice, and Associate Executive Director of the Access Center for Workforce Development. Dr. White-Davis also lectured at Brooklyn College and the College of New Rochelle in New York City, and has served as a consultant to the United Nations Children Fund. Before migrating to the United States of America, Dr. White-Davis held positions as Regional Director of the National Housing Trust, and Junior Economist with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Jamaica.

He works very closely with the immigrant community, particularly with the Caribbean Diaspora. He has organised and participated in several community based lecture series and forums. He has presented on topics such as: Navigating the Education, Social Service and Criminal Justice Systems; Return Migration: Challenges and Opportunities; Immigration 101: Know your Rights; Collaboration and Partnership Building - Linking the Caribbean & its Diaspora: Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Development.

In addition, Dr. White-Davis holds positions on several Boards. He is the President of The University of the West Indies Alumni Association (UWIAA), New York Chapter; President and CEO of the International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals (ICCP); Board Chair, the Diaspora Press; the Transitional Institute, Medgar Evers College. Other Board memberships include: the World Association of Former United Nations Interns and Fellows (WAFUNIF); the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and industry (CACCI); XLCR Alumni Association NY; Faith Initiatives Development Corporation Inc., and the University of Technology Jamaica Alumni Association, New York.

He has a MA in Family and Community Education, Teachers College, Columbia University; a B.A. in Economics, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and a Certificate in Personnel Management from the University of Technology (UTech) Jamaica.

Dr. White-Davis' doctoral thesis is entitled: The Adaptation of Jamaican Immigrants in American Schools: Problems and Possibilities, Teachers College, Columbia University (1992).

He is a proud graduate of UWI and is particularly pleased to serve his Alma Mater by volunteering his services to assist with the continued development of the University.

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Powerful Programmes

“Critical Thinking” The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) which is based in Barbados, has signed an agreement with the Institute of Critical Thinking at The University of the West Indies, which the Chief Executive Officer of the CXC, Dr. Didacus Jules thinks could result in a “paradigm shift from rote learning and regurgitation to real thinking”. The syllabuses of eleven CXC subjects are to be reformed in order to produce young people who will be able to impact positively and make meaningful contributions to society.

Dr. Jules noted at the signing ceremony in July 2009 that employers, regional ministries and the private sector have been requesting persons who have the capacity to apply their knowledge. In the next two years, the pilot project under this agreement would focus on the following subject areas: Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) level Mathematics, Integrated Science, Physics, Biology, Economics, Caribbean History, Geography, Social Studies, Principles of Business and English A (Language) and B (Literature) and Literatures in English at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

UWI’s Pro Vice Chancellor, Planning and Development, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, indicated that critical thinking should start early, ideally in primary school, after pre-school exposure has instilled self-confidence as well as creativity in the child and that the collaboration between the Institute and CXC would make a qualitative difference to education at the secondary level which is welcome news to both parents and employers alike.

The aim is to have students who graduate from secondary school develop their capacity for critical thought assessment and analysis. The Caribbean requires this “to feed innovation and fuel entrepreneurship”, Tewarie underscored.

, after pre-school ol ho sc y ar im pr in lly ea ld start early, id “.......critical thinking shou confidence as well as creativity in the child.” lfexposure has instilled se

Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie

Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, PVC Planning and Development and Director of the Institute of Critical Thinking and Dr. Didacus Jules Chief Executive Officer of CXC sign the Memorandum of Understanding to review 11 CXC subjects for secondary schools.

Dr. Tewarie and Dr. Jules shake hands after the successful signing of the MOU between UWI's Institute of Critical Thinking and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

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Alumni News

Alumni Relations - The Way Forward At the annual Central Committee (CEC) meeting of the UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) Presidents held in March 2009, it was agreed that the IAD and the UWIAA would seek to ensure that the UWI community recognises more that the value and strength of UWI alumni should be calculated not only in terms of financial contributions, but also in terms of their influence, knowledge and skills base, networking capacity and investment in time, ideas and energy. The CEC was of the view that overall, the alumni provide significant value to the University in critical areas that include: Education and Training, Profile Raising, Student Recruitment, Alumni Recruitment,

Mentorship and E-Mentorship, Professors/Speakers/Conference Participants and Networking.

It was also noted that in 2008, the University’s 60th Anniversary year, the UWIAA Chapters collectively contributed the following through the IAD: Alumni Groups 60th Anniversary Collective UWIAA donation to UWIREF Special Collective Research Grant Scholarships and Bursaries Individual Gifts AFUWI (Alumni and friends extra-regionally) GRAND TOTAL

Donations in US$ 60,000.00 6,000.00 20,664.00 28,412.00 140,000.00 US$255,076.00

Note: The contribution of the Medical Alumni is not included here.

Recommendations coming out of the meeting included: faculty conferences/seminars and on planning committees for University activities, particularly special projects and programmes of the Alumni Relations Office.

that speedy action be taken to appoint the Campus Alumni Officer (CAO), which has the approval of the Principals, as a means of further strengthening relations between the University and alumni.

that increasing joint initiatives in data collection and dissemination of information be undertaken between the University and the alumni in areas of interest and of importance to the further development of the UWIAA Chapters.

that the CAO provides administrative support for UWIAA Chapters as well as the Alumnus Representative and Council Representative. that the concept of an “Alumni Contact” be established, to allow UWI alumni who live in areas where there are not sufficient alumni to establish a Chapter to become involved in the work of the University.

that the University, through University Marketing cooperates with the UWIAA Chapters to launch an “Every Dollar Makes a Difference” Campaign, which encourages alumni to contribute as and when they choose, and any amount they choose, rather than waiting to contribute a significant sum to the University.

that annually, University Marketing publishes and provides to alumni, either online or in print, a single University calendar containing the schedule of activities for the four campuses. Alumni might be encouraged, through invitations and circulars, to participate in departmental, faculty and ceremonial activities of the University.

that minimum targets be set for the enrollment of students from all Caribbean countries annually, and that admissions procedures and timing be reviewed in the interest of ensuring that the University’s student body remains representative of the region.

that University-wide endorsement and active support be given at all levels to the centralised online social networking community for the entire institution, i.e. all four UWI campuses: ALUMNI Online (www.alumnionline.uwi.edu). ALUMNI Online will assist with establishing and maintaining “lifelong connectivity” with our alumni population on a global basis.

that mechanisms and ongoing opportunities be provided for students (e.g. web-space, 360 degree evaluation exercises, strategically placed suggestion boxes and student surveys) to assess their lecturers, University administrative staff and services, accommodation and other areas of concern or with which they are particularly satisfied, in the interest of continuing improvement in all areas, as the “student experience” has a direct correlation with alumni involvement and loyalty.

that alumni be invited to participate as volunteers/resource persons for departmental and

Cont’d on page 8

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Alumni News

Alumni Relations The Way Forward (cont’d) The CEC 2009 elected the following slate of Officers to represent the alumni at the University Council meeting and at other committees and meetings: Mr. Jerry Medford (Trinidad and Tobago) Alumnus Representative 2009–2011 (re-elected) Ms. Irma Edwards (Dominica) Council Representative for 2009 – 2010 The CEC and IAD have produced a print and an online version of UWIAA BEST PRACTICES for access by all those in the UWI community interested in assisting with the Alumni Relations effort, in order to provide the regional institution with a tangible and practical Caribbean reference. This is also available at www.alumnionline.uwi.edu The next meeting of the CEC will be held in The Commonwealth of the Bahamas on March 25-26, 2010. The CEC, on behalf of regional and international UWIAA Chapters, extended its appreciation to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and other University Officials for their cooperation and support.

The UWIAA Chapters are especially appreciative of the cooperation received from University Officials in the hosting of their events for the 60th Anniversary of the University, and for the organisation of 60th Anniversary events at Cave Hill, Mona, throughout the Open Campus and at St. Augustine. The CEC also thanked the University Centres in the Open Campus countries, and the Consulates of UWI countries worldwide for the cooperation and support they have extended to UWIAA Chapters over the years. Special thanks were also extended to the IAD especially the staff of the Alumni Relations arm for their exemplary efforts to support the initiatives of the UWIAA Chapters, and to keep UWI alumni connected.

UWIAA Washington DC Celebrates 20th Anniversary The Chapter marked its 20th Anniversary with a church service at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church on June 28, 2009, where the Vice Chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris was the featured speaker.

Dr. and Mrs. Winston Chutkan also hosted a cocktail reception for the Vice Chancellor.

elopment an, Inter-American Dev cutive Director, Caribbe Leopold Exe E. te of e rna (wif Alte s nal, ard Ber Edw L. men L-R: Richard Jamaica to the U.S.; Car l Coalition of iona or Nat sad the bas for Am s er ctor Bank and form the Board of Dire i Association Edwards, Secretary of President, UWI Alumn Edwards); E. Leopold Sha-Shana Crichton, .

A); vice OC ser (NC rch irs chu Affa the r on Caribbean el Harris afte I Vice Chancellor, E. Nig Washington DC and UW . of tt, Embassy Jamaica Photo by Derrick A. Sco

Dr. Winston Chutkan (left) and Noelle Chutkan (hosts of the reception), and Michael Melton, Esq. (a donor to our fund).

Vice Chancellor Harris (left) and Dr. Charles Lewis.

L-R: Mrs. Olive Lewis, Ms. Ayanna Kambui and Dr. Lois LaGranade.

Edited Report of the CEC 2009 to University Council

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University Bookshelf

New Publications Eric Williams: The Myth and the Man

by Selwyn Ryan Eric Williams: The Myth and the Man seeks to illuminate the political career of one of the Caribbean’s most elusive figures, Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Selwyn Ryan uses a wide array of primary sources, letters, interviews, material from the Public Records Office in the United Kingdom, the State Department Records in the United States of America and the Eric Williams Memorial Collection in Trinidad and Tobago, and demonstrates a strong mastery of secondary sources to provide a sophisticated political analysis of Williams’ role in Trinidadian and Caribbean politics. The manuscript focuses on Williams’s entry into politics and his tenure as Prime Minister from 1956 until his death in 1981.

Ryan also provides an interesting analysis of Williams’ seminal work Capitalism and Slavery and his role as a scholar.

The book is a distillation of research and writings that have spanned two decades. The author brings a unique perspective to the work as both a scholar and one who has studied, criticised and been active in Trinidad’s politics as Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, Trinidad and Tobago.

A Crime-Solving Toolkit: Forensics in the Caribbean Edited by Basil A. Reid Unacceptably high murder and crime rates in the Caribbean have captured the attention of the world and Caribbean policymakers, and forensics provide a key tool in prosecuting criminals and reducing the crime rate. Although forensic sciences have been judiciously applied in the Caribbean for decades, the vast majority of forensic publications have focused on North America and Europe.

This volume embraces a diffuse perspective on forensics within the Caribbean and analyses disaster victim identification protocols, forensic anthropology, computer forensics, geospatial technologies, shoe-print identification, suicide hangings and forensic linguistics.

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Desperately needed, this volume provides prescriptive formulas to mitigate the rising crime in the region and is of particular interest to policymakers, lawyers, police officers, anthropologists, computer specialists and interested members of the public.

Echoes of the Haitian Revolution 1804–2004 Edited by: Martin Munro and Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw The bicentenary of Haitian independence in 2004 triggered a renewed interest in Haitian history and culture. In many ways, however, much work is still required in this fertile field. Reinterpreting the Haitian Revolution and Its Cultural Aftershocks, the first collection of essays edited by Martin Munro and Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw, addressed the repercussions of the Haitian Revolution in Haiti, the Caribbean, North America and Europe. This present volume develops and complements the previous collection to meet the growing demand for original scholarly work on Haiti. Widening the cultural lens to include diasporic studies, art, and questions of race and gender, Echoes of the Haitian Revolution exposes how the history of Haiti has shaped our ideas of race, nation and civilization in ways that we are often unaware of. Haiti’s lessons continue to engage us in a dynamic dialogue that compels us to question and revisit received arguments. The essays collected here provoke and stimulate these necessary conversations by approaching the legacies and repercussions of the revolution from a cultural perspective.

Strategic Snapshot

The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) UK Chapter have collaborated and established the British Foundation for The University of the West Indies (BFUWI), which was officially registered with the UK Charity Commission (Charity Number 1127408) on January 7, 2009.

The BFUWI will operate as a professional UK charity in compliance with the rules and regulations of the governing UK Charities Commission to raise finances and other material support for The University of the West Indies through promotional and relationship building activities, principally in the UK. Preparations are now being made to formally announce the establishment of the BFUWI at a function in London in September 2009.

The UWI is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary institution offering many diverse, accredited programmes across 15 Caribbean countries to almost 40,000 regional and international students, as they gain knowledge for future careers in the Caribbean region and beyond. The UWI is well known for its varied research programmes aimed at sustainable viability and has produced graduates who are leaders in every field worldwide.

The following charitable objectives will be fulfilled by funds raised for the BFUWI: The financing of undergraduate and postgraduate students based on merit and need The financing of academic exchanges between the UK and the Caribbean to enhance knowledge development The funding of Chairs/Professorships in specific areas of mutual interest The funding of facilities to promote human resource and knowledge development The financing of internships for UK students to study at UWI

The BFUWI seeks to assist the UWI with the sustainable development of the Caribbean by providing funds for: Contributing to global intellectual growth and human development to allow for increased mutually beneficial professional interaction between the Caribbean, its Diaspora and the United Kingdom.

Preparing students to comprehend the significance of contemporary issues and emerging global influences, especially from the United Kingdom.

Supplying a workforce ready to meet the needs of regional governments, the private sector and the needs of UK corporations and individuals with business links to the Caribbean.

In this difficult economy, the UWI requires funds to support financially challenged students to enable them to start or complete their studies, as well as postgraduate students who can contribute to areas of new knowledge that can drive Caribbean development and also affect positive global change.

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The Office of the Vice Chancellor, Logo Advancement received through the Institutional Division looks forward to “connecting� with our UK-based alumni from our four campuses via our newly launched web and networking site ALUMNI Online (www.alumnionline.uwi.edu), as well as to the Caribbean Diaspora and other stakeholders as we work with and through the BFUWI to forge and sustain development in a vitally important part of the world: The Caribbean. The BFUWI is an official UK Registered Charity (No. 1127408) and is eligible, under UK taxation law, for the financial credits arising from Gift Aid payments.

A one pound contribution from a donor (for example) can therefore be valued at up to one pound and twenty-eight pence to the Charity.

A Student’s Point of View

Our University market UWI take, but it is not the one that I choose. If, indeed, UWI is the best choice for most West Indian young people, then my best response should involve a measured consideration of the positives and negatives of foreign universities in general and of the strengths and weaknesses of UWI. If it is that UWI isn’t the best choice for most Caribbean people, then we need to recognise and fix this problem.

One way I might begin to answer those questions is with a list of contrasts – some statements broadly comparing UWI to other universities that say a bit of what UWI is and what it is not. UWI is not the most prestigious or oldest university in the world, but as far as I am aware, most UWI undergraduate degrees are challenging and well recognised. Excellent performance in any UWI undergraduate programme will help a person secure a place in a graduate programme or a good job almost anywhere in the world.

I may then turn to some non-academic considerations. There are opportunities for regional and international exposure in sports. Other extra-curricular activities at UWI are certainly better than some universities overseas, though they may pale in comparison to those at some other, better-funded ones. Room, board and amenities are decent at UWI, but probably not better than most in the US or the UK. Most significantly, UWI is certainly one of the most affordable options available to most West Indians, with the aid of open scholarships, generous financial aid packages, and the selective paying of students’ economic costs by some governments.

Having completed my list of contrasts, I would then try to outline the positives about UWI. Foremost among these is its West Indian

“Excellent performance in any UWI undergraduate programme will help a person secure a place in a graduate programme or a good job almost anywhere in the world.

As a UWI STAT (UWI Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow) Ambassador, I am supposed to ‘sell’ The University of the West Indies to young people who may one day become UWI students. “Tell me”, a person might say, “what’s so good about UWI. Why should I go there? Why should I choose UWI over Oxford or Harvard, or even the University of Toronto, or Florida International University, or the City University of New York, or St. George’s University in Grenada, or the University of Technology in Jamaica?”

How do I answer questions like these?

How would you answer questions like those? Should we launch into criticisms of other universities and praises of UWI? Perhaps that’s the approach that some who

character. UWI is a true Caribbean university. It is not an American university that has set up shop in the Caribbean, and it is not a university that is just local to any one Caribbean territory. It is a West Indian university for West Indians, and it shows and should show this unique characteristic in the composition of its students, its course selections, its scholarship, its food, its fêtes and lymes, its student politics, its faculty and its administration. UWI is where many of the future power-players of the Caribbean region mix and mingle as well as meet lifelong friends and spouses.

And finally, for whatever it’s worth, UWI is our University. With all its flaws and faults, its glories and strengths, UWI is ours to take from and to give back to, to praise and to criticise, to improve rather than ignore, and to love and support so that the Caribbean will continue to have its own regional University for generations to come.

By Kamal Wood, VP of CARICOM Relations, UWI STAT Cave Hill

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Vox Pop

Great Reasons to Donate to the UWI By the UWI STAT Ambassador Corps 1

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“I think it is important to give back so that those who come afterwards will have a better experience and enhanced facilities. It’s just like our lives growing up.

We never had everything but when we have children we want them to have everything and all the opportunities we did not have. The same with UWI, giving back makes it better for future generations to come and have an even greater experience than we did.”

“The UWI is more than a university - it is a life experience. In essence contributing to the UWI is a contribution to each island that UWI represents and every student who receives the benefit of a UWI education can then be a productive country citizen, an effective CARICOM citizen and a successful global citizen. Therefore alumni should re-invest in the UWI so as to give others an opportunity to experience University life and gain from the wealth of knowledge and expertise that this institution provides.”

Prunella Mungroo - Trinbagonian Student, St. Augustine Campus

Teshia Jean Baptiste - St. Lucian Student, Mona Campus

7 “Whether financial or service wise the University's alumni should make giving a donation to UWI a priority within their daily lives. Charity begins at home and so it can be rightly stated that no other can fully understand the necessities of UWI nor appreciate the benefits of gaining both academic and social growth from such an institution.”

2 “Increase university funding in order to allow more bursaries to be available to current students who are in financial distress.”

3 “To allow the premier institution of learning of the Caribbean to increase its facilities so that it produces students of a better caliber.”

Reignier Jeffrey - Dominican Student, St. Augustine Campus

Avendia Stuart - Vincentian Student, St. Augustine Campus

8 “Alumni should donate to The University of the West Indies out of a debt of gratitude to the Institution for having such a significant impact on their lives. No matter the size of the donation, gifts are vital for sustaining student programmes as well as funding for scholarships.”

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“Behind every powerful university is a strong alumni body which supports its Alma Mater. The UWI has earned its Raenette Johnson - Bahamian Student, place as the most prestigious university in the region and Mona Campus certainly has staked out its name among some of the best universities in the world. Donating to the UWI as alumni will no doubt enhance and solidify the offerings of the UWI as the 9 region's bedrock for quality tertiary education.”

Jermaine Case - Jamaican Student, “Why give back? Think about it, with every act of benevolence, the Cave Hill Campus programmes at the University will be able to achieve more success, with the implementation of new tools required for such. If you give back, you would be ensuring that current and future students of the UWI would have the same or even better opportunities than you had. Donations given could go towards student aid, via alumni sponsored scholarships, grants and/or bursaries, development of programmes and improvement to current facilities that will be 5 beneficial to both alumni and students. Contributions would also go towards enhancing our research facilities, which in the future could produce Nobel laureates in fields that would “Many of us would have benefited undoubtedly boost our University's image as one of the best when it comes to tremendously from mentorship programmes, research and research initiatives.” clubs and societies or through forums organised to help students network and consort with people Donald Smith - Jamaican Student, within their field of study. What we may not realise is Cave Hill Campus that many of these services are made possible by the contributions of alumni members, and it is for this reason that those graduates of UWI who become part of the 10 alumni pool should volunteer their support financially or otherwise, to preserve these services they have “Progression of an erudite Caribbean community benefited from, and play their part, however small it leans heavily on the support, loyalty and reciprocation of the may be, to help foster the next generation.” alumni of The University of the West Indies. As a fierce Caribbean patriot and student of UWI, I firmly believe that the Westford Joseph - Vincentian Student, benevolence of the regional population at large and moreover the Mona Campus institution’s alumni is imperative if we are to sustain this great pillar of excellence.”

Joelle Jamie Jackman - Trinbagonian student Open Campus (St. Augustine - SCS)

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Student Alumni Programming

Future Leaders Meet UWI STAT (Mona) The inaugural Jamaica Youth Diaspora Future Leadership Conference 2009 took place on August 4-8 with 400 youth leaders from Jamaica, Canada, UK and the US in attendance. It was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Jamaican Diaspora Institute, Mona School of Business and The University of the West Indies, Mona. The objective was to engage youth leaders from Jamaica and the Diaspora to form relationships in unity and progressively develop and make valid contributions to national development.

The Conference featured networking sessions and workshops. The dynamic and stimulating workshop sessions focused on areas of keen interest to Future Leaders in the Diaspora, as follows: Business Jamaica Youth Diaspora Future Leaders from left: Safia McNeishie, and Entrepreneurship - Investing in People, Jay-Sheree Allen, David Mullings, Kathryn Alliman-Mullings and Ashaney James (UWI STAT - Mona).

Strengthening the Economy; Education - Investment in our Education System is an Investment in our Shared Future; Mentorship - Strengthening our Bonds and Through collaborative efforts these Delegates, Agents of Supporting as we Climb; Crime and Violence; Engaging Youth Change and Advancement, Future Leaders will in a in Governance and Culture. Each session was strategically sustained manner make valid contributions to national designed to formulate action plans that would assist in nation development by executing their proposed action plans. building.

The UWI STAT Mona Corps has continued to work with the conference projects including volunteering at the Groups participated in community service. The UWI STAT Rose Town Community Centre.

Ambassadors assisted in the painting of the Multi-Care facility By: Naketa S. West, Secretary, UWI STAT (Mona) in Cross Roads as well as the Rose Town Community Centre.

UWI STAT St. Augustine

National Youth Assembly Parliament 2009

Members of Parliament who were present included the Hon. Gary Hunt and Paula Gopee-Scoon.

Ambassador Joan Yuille Williams also attended.

This amazing experience was not only the perfect stage to see our future politicians in action, but an ideal opportunity to network with enthusiastic and exceptional individuals and promote UWI STAT as well. Youth MPs are in an ideal position to impact communities across the country by working with the official MPs.

Mikhail Lutchman, UWI STAT Ambassador - St. Augustine (first row, second from left) attended the first sitting of the National Youth Assembly Parliament 2009 on July 28, 2009. He states, “This consisted of the elected Youth Members of Parliament of all constituencies debating a mock bill: An Act to engender the Principles of Regional, Economic and Political Integration with special emphasis on Youth Employment and the creation of a Secretariat to facilitate these aims. I was not a mere observer.�

Two other UWI STAT Ambassadors along with Mikhail have been elected to the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Congress. They are Kimberley Mahabirsingh and Genesia Pierre. We are very pleased that members of the UWI STAT Corps are being recognised for their leadership qualities by the wider community.

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UWI Sports

Dominica Gets Cricket Fever

The 13th staging of The University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor’s Cricket Match was held in the “nature island” of Dominica on July 24, 2009, at the Benjamin’s Park in the town of Portsmouth where the VC’s XI played the team from Bangladesh.

The Vice Chancellor’s XI comprised seven players from the three physical campuses that is Mona, St. Augustine and Cave Hill and three invited West Indies Cricket Board players, as well as local cricketer Shane Shillingford. The two emergency field men were also UWI students.

During the opening ceremony, an award was given in honour of Mr. Irving Shillingford, former West Indies, Dominica, Windward Islands, and Combined Islands player. The citation was read by Mr. Roland Butcher, Director of Sports, Cave Hill. Dr. Francis Severin, Head of the Open Campus, Dominica presented the award to Mr. Shillingford on behalf of The University of the West Indies.

Due to the inclement weather, the match got off to a very late start and was reduced to a 25 overs-a-side game; but this did not deter the throng of supporters that came out to see the VC’s XI vs Bangladesh.

Enthusiastic supporters who came in time for the expected 9:00 a.m. start, remained until the match finally started at 2:00 p.m. and enjoyed every second of the exciting competition. The game ended

with the Vice Chancellor’s XI, after a hard fought match, being narrowly defeated by Bangladesh.

The final score was as follows: Bangladesh 167 for 6, Captain Mushfiqur Rahim making 82 runs and Raqibul Hasan 34. The University of West Indies Vice Chancellor’s XI replied with 151 for 8 in their allotted 25 overs. Even with Captain Omar Phillips making 49 runs, Chadwick Walton hitting 21 from 16 balls and Crafton Clarke 29 from 19 balls, they eventually had to concede a loss by 16 runs to the visiting victors.

Full marks should be given to Dr. Severin and his Open Campus team for providing a day that brought pleasure not only to the many spectators who turned up in spite of the inclement weather but also to the players and officials who pulled out all the stops to ensure that a good game and a good time was had by all. We laud yet another successful effort by the Vice Chancellery in promoting the sport of cricket within the region.

By Angella E. Brown, Events & Projects Officer, IAD

UWI (Mona) 2009 Sports Scholarships Participants also benefit from a nutritional programme which ensures they are provided with the right meals to excel in sport. This initiative has already brought success to the campus as the UWI football team placed second in the KASAFA Syd Bartlett League and was promoted to the Major League. There were also improved performances by the track team at intercollegiate championships and the UWI Games.

For the second year running the UWI (Mona) provided sports scholarships for athletes who show a proven balance between sporting achievements and academic pursuits. The UWI Sports Scholarship Programme has as its primary goals student support and involvement in sporting events, the establishment of a website, and improvement to sporting facilities, as well as attracting new students with sporting talents to UWI. The programme offers scholarships in football and track and field and can cover tuition, accommodation or both.

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The 2009 recipients are: Football: Antony Grant, Kemar Douglas, George Smart, Andre Bernal and Yashima Love Track: Darrion Mitchell, Sean Robinson, Roderick Tennant and Odane Reid.

By Rashid Hall (Mona), Assistant Sports Co-ordinator, UWI STAT Alumni Ambassador

Young Medics

Smoker 2009 “Knot the truth: the truth is rarely pure and never simple”

The medical students’ class of 2012 presents Smoker 2009 “Knot the truth: the truth is rarely pure and never simple” from September 17-20, 2009. Smoker is an annual charity event put on by third year medical students of The University of the West Indies (Mona) and is considered to be one of the oldest cultural traditions at the University. It generally takes the form of a theatrical performance showcasing the talent of the M.B.B.S. students and includes drama, song and dance.

This year, the Smoker production features a young man who grew up without knowing his father and decides to go on a “father-seeking” path which only leads to more questions than answers.

A total of six (6) shows exhibiting two brilliant casts will be held at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts. The target audience usually includes primarily UWI students and staff, medical alumni and their associates. However, this year there is a thrust to expand the audience to include a greater facet of the Jamaican community.

Proceeds from this production will go to the UHWI Dialysis Unit, an established JAMSA/UWIDEF Scholarship Fund for needy medical students, The Kevin Wilson Memorial Fund and a newly founded Lia Lashley Memorial Fund in memory of their deceased 2012 member.

Alumni are encouraged to help these young medics to continue this longstanding tradition of helping the less fortunate through the talent and service of medical students. Donations can also be sent to the IAD at: The Vice Chancellery, Assembly Hall Building (Mona Campus), Kingston 7, Jamaica. (Simply indicate Smoker 2009.)

Support the UWIAA Chapters' “Every Dollar Makes a Difference” Campaign. All donations are welcome and appreciated ... no matter the size. They will assist in providing UWIAA student scholarships and bursaries. Donations may be given to any UWIAA Chapter worldwide or sent to the IAD. (Please make cheque payable to “The University of the West Indies” and simply indicate the Chapter with which you would like your donation to be affiliated).

E-mail iad.mona@alumni.uwi.edu for further details.

15

Top Class

UWIREF Scholarships The UWI Regional Endowment Fund (UWIREF) is coordinated by the Vice Chancellery with a Board of Directors supported by sub-committees for Scholarships, Divestments and Projects. It is not intended to replace the existing Campus Endowment Funds, but in many respects will widen the donor scope, by collaboratively soliciting donations and gifts regionally and internationally. Secondly, the UWIREF will broaden the opportunities for Units throughout the University, including the Open Campus, to receive gifts based on merit and need as determined by the UWIREF’s Board rather than awards being primarily dependent on the wealth and economic circumstances of a contributing country. Thirdly, the UWIREF offers the opportunities for the broad leadership of the University in collaboration with broad regional representatives on the Board to allocate funds based on transparent, defined guidelines. In instances where donors designate a specific campus, unit or project as a recipient, the UWIREF Board will honour that request. The American Foundation for UWI (AFUWI) operates on a similar basis, where donations to the Foundation from the USA-based entities are directed to specific areas in the University as requested by the donor.

Scholarship Awardees Amoako St. Patrick Evans (Jamaican) recipient of the RBTT Scholarship, was accepted to the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI Mona Campus.

Samantha-Kaye Christie (Jamaican) was awarded a Partial Scholarship pending her acceptance into the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Mona Campus.

“I am indeed grateful for this award as it will enable me to have a greater level of access to my tertiary education at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.”

“This award couldn’t have been granted to me at a better time and it is my desire to be an inspiration in the field of medicine to other young people especially the males throughout the Jamaican society.”

Shaneek Allison Findlay (Jamaican) was awarded a Partial Scholarship to advance her studies in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences

Mele-A Kyria Campbell (Jamaican) was awarded the Maud Fuller Scholarship and will pursue her undergraduate career in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the UWI Mona Campus.

“This scholarship has relieved me of the financial burden that was ahead as I pursue my dreams and study at The University of the West Indies.”

Adrian Stephens (Jamaican) received a Partial Scholarship for studies in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the Mona Campus.

“Thank you so much for this offer, I really needed it. I am so happy, I thank you so much for such an opportunity. I cannot wait to thank the person(s) who contributed to this scholarship. I cannot wait to begin studying at this prestigious educational institution – The University of The West Indies.”

Anne-Teresa D.M. Birthwright (Jamaican) was awarded the Roydell Lawrence Scholarship to pursue her undergraduate career in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the UWI Mona Campus. “…Words cannot express how joyful, thankful, and grateful I am that the Board has seen it fit to award me this prestigious honour. With my father being the only breadwinner of the family in an unstable economy, this award will help to relieve our financial burden.”

“I would like to say thank you with all the strength and humbleness of my heart for making this phenomenal dream possible.”

Melissa Anne De Freitas (Vincentian) was awarded the Dame Bernice Lake Scholarship to pursue her undergraduate career in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus.

“I thank you for the opportunity to pursue my undergraduate studies at The University of the West Indies…and look forward to joining the UWI family in August.”

Malissa Natalie Cornwall (Vincentian), was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Partial Scholarship to pursue her undergraduate degree at the Faculty of Humanities & Education at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus.

“I would like to thank the Board for allotting me this scholarship and for providing me with the opportunity to further my studies and the ability to excel in my life…Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

16

Top Class

Scholarship Awardees Androy Andriana Emery (St. Lucian) was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Partial Scholarship for enrollment in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus. “For an entire year I struggled to find employment without success, and when I applied for a student loan to attend UWI, Cave Hill, I was denied because my family could not provide valid security…I can never express in words alone how grateful I am for this award. When everything seemed to be going downhill and obtaining my B.Sc. was only in the distant future, I was given the opportunity…

Because of their (donors’) generosity I can pursue my dreams and be the best that I can be.”

In pursuit of her PhD in Clinical Anatomy & Education, Candice Myers (Trinidadian) was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Bursary for the academic year 2009-2010. The former Barry University Chorale and Chamber Ensemble member will enroll in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI, St. Augustine Campus in August.

Jennifer Samantha Mofford (Barbadian) is a recipient of the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Bursary. Ms. Mofford will pursue her tertiary studies at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus in the academic year 2009-2010. Her interests lie in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences.

Keiran Prescott-Joseph (St. Lucian) was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Full Scholarship tenable in the Faculty of Humanities & Education for the academic year 2009 2010 at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus. She will advance her studies in Literatures in English.

will pursue her career in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the Cave Hill Campus.

Lauralee Cindy Samaroo (Trinidadian) was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Bursary for the academic year 2009-2010. She wishes to pursue her career in the field of Medical Sciences at the St. Augustine Campus in August.

Shanique Alecia Sterling (Jamaican) was awarded the Pamela Rodgers-Johnson Scholarship by the UWI Regional Endowment Fund for the academic year 20092010. She now looks forward to pursuing her career in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI Mona Campus.

“It is during these few moments in time, that our lives are uniquely touched and forever impacted by the kind and self-sacrificial gestures of remarkable human beings such as the donor of this award. It is within these moments that a fire is ignited within the very core of our being that urges us to press forward and motivates us to work assiduously to making our aspirations a reality.”

Valdene Ariadne Leonore Jack (Vincentian) was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Scholarship for the academic year 2009-2010. She has enrolled at the Cave Hill Campus in the Faculty of Social Sciences in the field of Business Management.

“I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for being selected as a recipient…This act of generosity is greatly appreciated, especially in these challenging economic times.

I am looking forward with much anticipation to pursuing my dream of a University education.”

Pettia Gay Williams (Jamaican), final-year student of the UWI, Mona Campus, was awarded the Sylvan and George Alleyne Social Work Scholarship by the UWI Regional Endowment Fund, for the academic year 2009-2010. The Glenmuir High School Alumna is pursuing her career in the field of Social Work and was elated to have received her award.

“This opportunity has helped me in creating a favourable environment in which I will be able to excel educationally and to further explore and experience more of The University of the West Indies in this, my final year.”

Amelia Carol-Ann Rouse (Barbadian) was awarded a UWI Regional Endowment Fund Bursary tenable in the Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences at the Cave Hill Campus.

She is extremely grateful for the scholarship as she says that, “This Bursary will go a long way in funding my tertiary education.”

Felisha Cashareen Henry (Jamaican) is the recipient of a full RBTT Scholarship offered through the UWI Regional Endowment Fund to pursue an undergraduate degree at the Mona Campus of The University of the West Indies.

“I am truly appreciative of the opportunity which you have given me. I fully intend to commit myself to my studies so that at the end of my course of study, I would have reaped maximum results.”

Corazon Emily Durand (Dominican) was awarded the UWI Regional Endowment Fund Partial Scholarship for the academic year 2009-2010. She

“As an individual who enjoys being involved in my school community, I will continue to do so in an effort to emulate the well established and socially responsible RBTT.”

17

Focal Point

A Top “Brainiac” with UWI Roots individuals. On the wards and in the operating theatres Andrew Masson, Sir Harry Anamunthodo, John Golding, Mike Woo Ming, Rolf Richards, Don Christian, James Ling, Orin Barrow and U.N. Pathak were inspiring and painstaking, humorous and stimulating in their teaching. He says that there was also a richness of ‘near-peer’ teaching from the students in the classes above and the house staff on the clinical services. “We wanted to learn and everyone wanted to teach us. It was an extraordinarily collegial and stimulating environment.”

He left Jamaica after graduating and went to Britain where he did further training in internal medicine at the University of Wales in Cardiff. He obtained the M.R.C.P. (U.K.) in 1972 and started training in neurology. However the zeal for travel supervened and he went to the University of Nairobi, Kenya as a lecturer in medicine for two years.

There he teamed up with two neurosurgeons and a radiologist to form a ‘neuro team’. They discovered a high prevalence of congenital anomalies of the craniovertebral junction in two of the large Kenyan tribes and studied and published the findings establishing the nature and surgical treatment of this otherwise disabling disorder.

Dr. John Stewart

Dr. John Stewart belongs to the first medical class to graduate with a UWI and not UCWI degree and has had a long and distinguished career in the medical field, one that continues to evolve. He considers one of his most important achievements to be the textbook, Focal Peripheral Neuropathies, first published in 1988.

“Why?”, you may ask. He will respond: “It discusses the many disorders of the nerves of the body starting with their origins in the spine right down to the small branches in the fingers and toes.” The book has received glowing reviews in many journals and is considered to be the definitive text in the field. He is actually now working on the fourth edition.

At the UWI, he received Honours in Anatomy and Physiology in 1964 and the Clinical Gold Medal; Distinction in Medicine and Therapeutics; Honours in Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1969.

Dr. Stewart attributes his success to many inspiring teachers and mentors, for example at the second MB level, Prof. Dan Hoyte (Anatomy) and Dr. E.V. Ellington (Biochemistry) who were both superb teachers and charismatic

He then entered the neurology programme at McGill University and completed that training in 1978. In 1989 he obtained the Detweiler Travel Fellowship and the WHO Travel Fellowship (Autonomic Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic and the Neurology Research Laboratory at the Middlesex Hospital in London, U.K.). He was appointed consultant/staff physician at the Montreal General Hospital and assistant professor with McGill University. After fifteen years he moved to the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute and was promoted to full professor.

The focus of his career has been clinical practice in a university hospital setting, teaching and mentoring students and residents, doing clinical research into disorders of the neuromuscular and autonomic nervous systems and clinical administration. He established an Autonomic Testing Laboratory at the Montreal Neurological Hospital.

He has had several leadership positions including Director of Clinical Neurological Services, Montreal General Hospital, Chairman of the McGill University Residency Training Programme, Chairman of the Council of Physicians of the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Neurologist-in-Chief at the Montreal Neurological Hospital.

He has been invited to give numerous lectures, talks and presentations in the Caribbean and all over the world and has published in journals and peer-reviewed journals, done book chapters, publications, non-medical articles and conference presentations.

He now lives with his wife in British Columbia where he has set up a clinical practice in North Vancouver and is also working at the non-teaching/community based Lions Gate Hospital. He has found his return to clinical ‘grass-roots’ to be both stimulating and challenging.

He is also Chair of the Canadian Neurosciences Federation and Vice-Chair of the Scientific Programme Committee. He is happy that two of his three daughters are physicians and finds time for photography, cycling, cross-country skiing and “hanging out” with his four young grandsons.

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Accolades

The De La Rue Scholarship The De La Rue Scholarship for the upcoming academic year has been awarded to Kester Thompson, who graduated with a B.Sc. in Economics and Management (Upper Second Class Honours) from UWI (St. Augustine). The scholarship is jointly awarded by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and De La Rue Currency, a UK Company.

Kester is the sixth recipient of this scholarship and has a strong interest in monetary economics and econometrics which he views as areas of critical importance globally. He was selected by the interview panel because he epitomises academic excellence, commitment and determination and is a well-rounded individual, being an active member of the church choir and an executive member of the group “Youth with the Answer”.

Awardees must be enrolled in the MSc. Economics Programme.

Professor Brendan Bain, CHART Director, seconded to the Vice-Chancellery Since 2001 Dr. Brendan Bain, Professor of Community Health and former Head of the Department of Community Health & Psychiatry at the Mona Campus has headed the UWI HIV/AIDS Response Programme (UWI HARP). In 2003, Professor Bain also assumed duties as Director of the CHART Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU), which was established at UWI as part of the regional response to the HIV epidemic.

With the growth of activities and deepening of responsibilities of the RCU and the entire CHART network, it has been decided that Professor Bain needs to devote his full attention to this critical work. Accordingly, he is being relieved of his teaching duties in the Department and has been seconded to the Vice-Chancellery, to continue as Director of the CHART Regional Coordinating Unit, for four years, effective June 1, 2009. As such, Professor Bain will report directly to the Vice Chancellor.

Donations Needed! !

We need your HELP still urgently ships and Bursaries is lar ho Sc nt de Stu for Support required. ent Fund The Regional Endowm as United sits of Sterling as well po de te ilita fac t tha ts Accoun as follows: ncy have been set up rre cu n ica ma Ja d an States Bank Jamaica Ltd. National Commercial University Branch Mona 402599987 Account #: Jamaican dollars Currency: JNCBJMKXAXXX SWIFT/SORT Code: Account #: Currency: SWIFT/SORT Code:

406398293 US$ JNCBJMKXAXXX

Barclays Bank PLC onal Knightsbridge Internati 68 Knightsbridge London SWIX 7NT 50853860 Account #: Sterling Currency: 20-47-35 SWIFT/SORT Code: that you notify donation it is important the de ma ve ha u yo When ncy and date and e of the amount, curre fic Of r’s llo ce an Ch e the Vic de. ich the deposit was ma the bank account to wh are accepted.

All major credit cards t Division at: titutional advancemen Ins the ct nta co e Pleas ation. wi.edu for more inform iad_mona@alumni.u s or in memoriam individuals, corporation for ies nit rtu po op ng Nami to contributors. st Indies are available We the of ty rsi ive Un e at Th USA: For donations in the the West Indies n for The University of tio da un Fo n ca eri Am The empt organisation is a 501 (c) (3) tax-ex I UW AF e Th : tus sta Tax state and federal ble to the full extent of cti du -de tax are ts gif and payable to the ues should be made eq Ch A. US the in laws for The UWI. American Foundation

day!

Pride” and Donate To Show Your “Pelican

19

Campus News

“Happenings” on the Campus you attended to members of the UWI community. Visit www.monagis.com for details UWISON collaborates on HIV Risk Reduction Project

Mona NCB Foundation donates to Mona Campus The NCB Foundation gave the Business Development Office at Mona a cheque for J$240,000.00 towards the Mona Campus Culture and Heritage Bus Tour for schools which targets 4-6th form students across the island and expose them to UWI’s campus experience, highlighting the historical grounds, the artifacts and structures of cultural significance located on the campus.

GPS Navigation System available for Jamaica

now

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute has unveiled a GPS Navigation System for Jamaica, with turn-by-turn directions on over 10,000km of roads and over 15,000 points of interest, ranging from gas stations, hotels, shopping places, tourist attractions, eating places, and 64 other categories. In addition to this, over 3,000 towns and villages have also been mapped and navigated to.

Features include text-to-speech functionalities, hands-free operation (on certain units), detour and route re-calculation functions, and digital atlas uses.

The system is now commercially available on the Garmin line of GPS products through 2 packages: a data-only option, or a bundled device-and-data kit. Individuals may also bring in their own Garmin devices to be uploaded with the Jamaican data.

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute is offering these units at discounted prices

The UWI School of Nursing, Mona (UWISON) in collaboration with New York University (NYU) College of Nursing and University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is in the third year of the Randomised Controlled Behavioural Intervention entitled, ‘Mother Daughter HIV Risk Reduction Project’ funded by the National Institutes of Health, USA. The behavioural intervention is culturally and developmentally appropriate, gender specific, theory-driven and involves skill-building; it aims to reduce adolescent girls’ sexual risk behaviours and increase mothers’ sexual risk communication and their parental monitoring and supervision.

The research team comprises of Principal investigators Dr. M. Katherine Hutchinson Professor at NYU College of Nursing, New York and Dr. Hermi Hewitt, Head and Director, The UWI School of Nursing, Mona and Director PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Development in the Caribbean; Project Director Ms. Juliet Weir, NYU and Site Coordinator Ms. Deon Simpson, UWISON and Co-investigators Dr. Loretta Jemmott van Ameringen, Professor Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and Director, Center for Health Disparities Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Dr. Norman Waldron and Dr. Eulalia Kahwa, UWISON and Mrs. Pansy Hamilton, Research Coordinator in the Advanced Training and Research in Fertility Management Unit, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica.

The team conducted the pilot testing of the intervention from August 10 – 15, 2009 at UWISON.

St. Augustine

UWI Seminar in Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago hosted “Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean”, a seminar exploring issues and challenges facing the Indian people and culture in the Caribbean context.

The seminar took place on Sunday 16th August, 2009 at the

20

Campus News St. Augustine Campus’ Learning Resource Centre. It was organised by the High Commission of India, the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Trinidad Chapter and the National Council for Indian Culture.

UWI Planters for Social Change UWI Planters for Social Change, in collaboration with the 2009 Summer Class of Social Policy Camp, Administration III, hosted “Seeds of a Caring Society”, the formal opening of The Trinity Hall Food Park in August.

Sir Ellis Clarke, former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, spoke at the opening.

UWI signs MOU with Chaguaramas Development Authority A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) is expected to strengthen the relationship between both parties. UWI Pro Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat and Ms. Judith Mark, General Manager, CDA signed the agreement on Wednesday 12th August, 2009.

The papers comprising thousands of documents which were saved over more than a decade, including part of the Cricket World Cup legacy, will be used to assist students in their research in the development of Barbados and West Indies cricket. Dr. Alleyne who handed them over to Sir Hilary felt they would add to “the development of thought in the future and plans for the future of the game”.

Sir Hilary said he believed the papers would be used by generations to come in cricket research and noted that the UWI had plans to honour Alleyne’s legacy for his tremendous contribution to cricket in Barbados and the Caribbean.

He pointed to the invaluable role which Alleyne played in facilitating the hosting of World Cup matches at the 3Ws Oval, enabling it to be the first university worldwide to be accorded such a privilege.

Alleyne died at age 47, in October 2007 months after the final of the tournament was played at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Open

The UWI Open Campus Deputy Principal Dr. Vivienne Roberts has been elected chair of the CANQATE Core Group. CANQATE stands for The Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education. CANQATE established in Jamaica in 2004, is a Caribbean sub-regional network of the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). It spreads across 15 Caribbean and neighbouring nations.

Cave Hill

CLR James Research receives Alleyne papers

The presentation took place on Friday, June 26, 2009 during a brief ceremony attended by Principal of Cave Hill Campus, Sir Hilary Beckles, Alleyne’s widow Dr. Yolanda Alleyne, his sister Lisa and his long time friend Philip Nicholls who was also a long-serving member of the Barbados Cricket Association’s Board of Management.

Centre

The CLR James Research Centre at Cave Hill Campus received a major enhancement to its library resources when the cricket papers of the late Stephen Alleyne, former Chief Executive Officer of World Cup Barbados Inc (2007) were handed over to The University of the West Indies.

UWI Open Campus recently became a member of International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). The Open Campus took part in the 23rd Annual ICDE Conference in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Congratulations to Dr. Ian Austin for acquiring his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Virginia. Dr. Austin is Head of Open Campus Barbados (at the Pine).

“ONE UNIVERSITY, FOUR CAMPUSES” 21

UWIAA Chapter Highlights

Toronto Chapter On May 24, 2009 the UWIAA Chapter held its Annual Luncheon at the Delta Toronto Airport Hotel West. The event opened with Maud Fuller, the outgoing chapter president introducing Co-Presidents Michael Henville and Ferdinand Fortune. Mr. Henville then took the post of captain to a lovely afternoon.

The toast to the UWI was proposed by Leroy Crosse. Lynette Spence reflected on the life and passing of Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Lucille Mathurin-Mair, a distinguished alumna and recipient of many prestigious awards including the CARICOM Triennial Award in 1996.

The guest speaker Frances-Anne Solomon, an award winning film maker, writer and producer was introduced by Elizabeth Parchment.

Francis-Anne is the daughter of two alumni, Frank Solomon and Anne Marie Solomon. She is a Trinidad and Tobago Island Scholarship winner and studied in Canada and the United Kingdom. In addition, she has taught courses at Cave Hill and St. Augustine. Frances-Anne spoke on the state of cinematic arts in the Caribbean.

A tasty Caribbean luncheon was followed by raffles of various indigenous Caribbean products. This friendly atmosphere was punctuated by a brief report on the Central Executive Council Meeting 2009.

The 2009 Luncheon was a success as it will enable the Chapter to continue their gift of annual scholarships to the UWI campuses and they look forward to another productive year.

From left: Ferdinand Fortune’s two daughters, his wife, Ferdinand, Deighton and Margaret Hutchinson’s daughter, Deighton and Margaret. (Deighton is the Chapter treasurer.)

Elizabeth Scott (nee Barrett), Michael Henville, Elizabeth Parchment (nee Blake), Frances-Anne Solomon, Dr. Robert Ogilvie, Barbara Henville (nee Carey).

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Ferdinand Fortune (L) and Michael Henville, Co-Presidents of the Toronto Chapter.

Frances-Anne Solomon at the podium (left) and with Maud Fuller (right). She is the daughter of two alumni and is working on building a Caribbean film industry.

UPCOMING UWIAA TRINIDAD & TOBAGO EVENT

In Celebration of Their Lives Mr. Cordel Nelson

Mr. Dave Baptiste

Mr. Nelson served the UWI with distinction for twenty six years. He started in the Faculty of Education in 1983 and became Assistant Registrar in the Examinations section (Mona) in 1996. He was promoted to Senior Assistant Registrar in 2006 and was one of the recipients of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in 2005/06.

Mr. Baptiste served the St. Augustine Campus as Senior Library Assistant. He was employed in the School of Veterinary Medicine since April 1995 and gave of his best, working with commitment and dedication and making a lasting contribution to the UWI.

His administrative abilities, dedication and his commitment to excellence were well known and he had a special place in the hearts of both students and staff. His many attributes were recognised across the Institution, from student Guilds, the Examinations sections of all the campuses, to the Offices of the Vice Chancellor and Principals of the campuses and many others. His presence and advice at the graduation ceremonies and his knowledge regarding the rules and regulations of the Institution will be sorely missed, as will his wit and sense of humour and his inimitable sense of fashion and style. He had a talent for math and tutored many students who went on to succeed in their examinations and he loved music. He was a kind and caring individual who “gave back” to his home community of Gibraltar, St. Ann as well.

He will never be forgotten.

Dr. Olga James–Reid Dr. Olga James-Reid, former Head of Educational Studies and Senior Lecturer in Education Administration at the Mona Campus obtained her BSc. from the UWI Mona and her M.A. and PhD in Education from Columbia University. She is the author of the book: Teaching: Its Management and Function.

She served the School of Education with distinction, as a lecturer and supervisor of students’ research, mentor and colleague and made a sterling contribution to the UWI community as Head of the Department of Educational Studies.

Dr. Selwyn Griffith Dr. Selwyn Griffith, a former lecturer in the then Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture (St. Augustine), passed away in July 2009 in Toronto, Canada. He was not only a scientist but a master cricketer and footballer as well as a musician. His dedication to his work was his hallmark and his contribution to the UWI will be long remembered.

Ms. Carmen Elreta Dias Miss Dias served the UWI for thirty-seven consecutive years. Her first appointment was at the Domestic Bursar’s Office. Over the years she moved up the ranks and in 2003 she was promoted to the position of Lodgings Officer (Mona) in the Office of Student Services and Development in which capacity she served until her passing.

She was a committed and dedicated member of staff and was well loved and respected by students, staff and those persons with whom she interfaced in the execution of her duties.

Mrs. Maria Cover-Alao Mrs. Maria Cover-Alao, an administrative secretary in the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures, Language Laboratory (Mona) died on June 25, 2009. She was employed at the University for 37 years and she was meticulous at the duties she performed while working at the University. She had a passion for Spanish and thus became fluent in the language and she further went on to be the coordinator for the UWI/Columbia exchange programme hosted every summer by the Faculty of Humanities and Education.

Ms. Jennifer Michelle Mwaisela Jennifer Mwaisela attended St. Hilda's High School and the Immaculate Conception High School in Jamaica before obtaining her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) from UWI (Mona) in 1984. She completed two Master's programmes simultaneously at the University of Miami in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety and Public Health and then obtained her MBA from Florida International University where she worked for almost twenty years.

At the time of her passing she was the Associate Vice President for Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety. She was credited with crafting and implementing an enviable programme of Emergency and Risk Management for the institution which earned her and her team numerous awards over the years and catapulted FIU into leadership in this industry segment. She was the sister of Ann-Marie Grant, Director of the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies.

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The University of the West Indiess Column Chancellor ’ Vice Chancellor’s Presidents Club UWIAA - Presidents Mr. Ricardo Knight - Barbados Mr. Frederick Sandiford - Belize Dr. Marcia Potter - British Virgin Islands Mrs. Leonora Wynter - Cayman Islands Mrs. A. Missouri Sherman-Peter Commonwealth of The Bahamas Ms. Irma Edwards - Dominica Mrs. Margaret Barrett - Florida Ms. Claudia Halley - Grenada Mr. A. Gilbert Bellamy - Jamaica Mrs. Delmaude Ryan - Montserrat Mr. Gerald White-Davis - New York Dr. Caroline Lawrence - St. Kitts & Nevis Mr. Nkrumah Lucien - St. Lucia Mr. Randy Boucher - St. Vincent & The Grenadines Mr. Ferdinand Fortune and Mr Michael Henville - Toronto Mr. James Richardson - Trinidad & Tobago Mr. Vernon Barrett - United Kingdom Ms. Sha-Shana Crichton - Washington DC UWIAA - Past Presidents Ms. Maxine McClean - Barbados Prof. Frank Alleyne - Barbados Dr. Lisa Johnson - Belize Dr. Kedrick Pickering - British Virgin Islands Mrs. Deborah Ann Chambers - Cayman Mr. Anthony Williams - Florida Mr. Ronald White - Florida Prof. Marcia Magnus - Florida Mrs. Beverley Pereira - Jamaica Mrs. Brenda Skeffrey - Jamaica Prof. Neville Ying - Jamaica Mrs. Patricia Sutherland - Jamaica Mrs. Nadine Marriott - Jamaica Dr. Cameron Wilkinson - St. Kitts & Nevis Ms. Sheree Jemmotte - Montserrat Ms. Laurine Fenton - Montserrat Mrs. Candia Williams - Montserrat Dr. Hazel Carter - New York Ms. Maud Fuller - Toronto 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 - Presidents Eng. Hopeton Heron - Jamaica Eng. Clyde Philip - Trinidad & Tobago

Alumnus and Council Representatives For Aug 1, 2009- July 31, 2011 (2 Years) Alumnus Representative Mr. Jerry Medford (Trinidad and Tobago) For Aug 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010 (1 Year) Council Representative Ms. Irma Edwards (Dominica)

UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) Chapters Barbados Belize British Virgin Islands Cayman Commonwealth of The Bahamas Dominica Florida Grenada 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 Contact Ottawa

Campus Alumni Offices Barbados

Cave Hill Campus Tel: 246-417-4544 alumnioffice@cavehill.uwi.edu Contact: Mrs. Roseanne Maxwell

Jamaica

Mona Campus Tel: 876-927-1583 uwialumni@kasnet.com Contact: Mrs. Charmaine Wright

Open Campus

Tel: 246-417-4505 deputyprincipal@open.uwi.edu Contact: Office of the Deputy Principal UWI Open Campus

Trinidad and Tobago

St. Augustine Campus Tel: 868-663-1579, 868-662-2002, Ext: 2099 Charmain.Subero@sta.uwi.edu Contact: Ms. Charmain Subero