Pelican Awards Lumin Consulting Rebrands The UWI Open Campus Celebrates First Decade
September 2017 - July 2018
UWI CONNECT
CONTENTS
6-13 20-39 Pelican Awards.................5
Happenings 2017
Installation of Chancellor Bermudez……………………………….....7 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence 2016/2017.......................8 LUMIN Consulting Rebrands for Global Reach…………….…….….9 UWItv - 1st Anniversary Celebration..………………………..……...10 Helping Hands and Hearts for our Fellow Caribbean Hurricane Victims ……..……………..……...11 Smoker 2017……..…………………………………………….……...13
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Happenings 2018
Hall Named in Honour of Sir George Alleyne.………………...…...22 University Council 2018………………………..………………….....23 UWI STAT News…………………………………….………………...24 UWI Researchers Unveil Powerful Findings..................................25 The UWI Open Campus Celebrates its First Decade.…………….26 V.I.P. - Very Important Pelican……………………………...………..28 Pelican Soaring………………………………..........………………...29 UWI People…………………………………………………........……35 AFUWI Gala 2018..........................................................................36
Book Corner…………………………..........……...…38 In Celebration of Their Lives.……………….......…41
EDITORIAL TEAM Celia Davidson Francis (Editor-in-Chief), Dr. Suzanne Francis-Brown, Allison Fung, Marcia Erskine, Yvonne Graham and Nicole Nation. SOURCES IAD - UWI Regional Headquarters, Campus and University Marketing and Communications Offices, Faculties, Departments, UWIAA, UWIMAA, Office of Administration, UWI STAT Corps, alumni and others.
PHOTOGRAPHY Campus photographers PUBLISHING Stratcom Marketing Services Ltd.
UWI Connect is The University of the West Indies magazine, published for Alumni, Parents and Friends of The UWI by the Institutional Advancement Division, The UWI Regional Headquarters. Reproduction, republication or redistribution of content is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Editor. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The University of the West Indies.
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UWI CONNECT
The UWI Celebrates
Fellow Pelicans, welcome to the 70th Anniversary edition of UWI Connect. The year 2018 marks The University of the West Indies’ (The UWI’s) 70th Anniversary. Our regional University is having a year-long celebration which will build on our University’s global reputation for excellence in teaching, research and public service to the Caribbean region. Activities and initiatives have been and will be undertaken across the 17 UWI countries, to bring together our alumni, students, faculty and administrators, as well as our governments, our public and private sectors and our partners. The UWI Chancellor’s Week will take place from July 23-29. We hope that many alumni will participate. Chancellor’s Week begins with a Welcome Gala Reception hosted by Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, MP. The week-long celebration will also include some free events and the week will close with the Chancellor’s Jazz Farewell. The funds raised from the overall programme will go to the UWI Regional Endowment Fund to provide support to students in financial need, research and other developmental projects. You will be pleased to note that contributions are tax deductible. On July 25, there will be a very special Pelican Awards Ceremony where we will recognise seven exceptional alumni and I hope that many of you will be there to take part in this extraordinary event.
Celia Davidson Francis Director of Alumni Relations for The UWI Editor-in-Chief
Show your Pelican Pride and come back and celebrate with your Alma Mater!
The UWI's 'Beyond 70' Vision The UWI Vice-Chancellor, Sir Hilary Beckles sees The University of the West Indies working with Caribbean governments to achieve economic and social growth, while transforming itself to take advantage of the opportunities as well as to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. He believes that The UWI “is the Caribbean's greatest gift to itself”, and while much has already been achieved, more impactful development is planned. “The UWI will be seen with sleeves rolled up in the trenches working with the governments of the region to achieve economic growth and economic transformation.” He notes that the biggest challenge in the region today is lack of economic growth. The UWI will continue to become more entrepreneurial, as an active partner in wealth creation for the Caribbean through globalisation and internationalisation and has already established institutes and alliances in China, the USA and Nigeria. The UWI will be aligning academia and industry and will continue to build relevant and coherent research for practical application by governments and corporations, with the end goal of reducing social poverty and achieving economic growth. Cost reduction, increased enrolment, capacity building and the provision of more graduates with professional training are also principal aims. The digital reach of The UWI through the technology-driven UWI Open Campus will provide opportunities for students across the Caribbean, especially those with no physical campuses. This campus is already reducing the cost of a university education to many. The UWI is implementing a new funding model and working to ensure revenue resilience, but also that the institution thrives. The Vice-Chancellor sums up The UWI's position by stating that in its 70th year, The University “is poised to deliver even more value to the region”.
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UWI CONNECT
O
ur beloved University turns 70 this
year! Join thousands from the proud UWI family who will meet at the Mona Campus, July 23-29, 2018 to celebrate during Chancellor’s Week. For the past 70 years our University has provided positively impactful services and transformational leadership to the Caribbean region. From a fledgling University College in Jamaica in 1948 with 33 medical students, The UWI has evolved into an internationally respected, regional university with now near 50,000 students and a distinguished network of over 150,000 alumni all over the world. As we commemorate this anniversary milestone and a legacy of “70 years of service; 70 years of leadership”, we’ll celebrate The UWI’s rich and diverse culture during a week of activities where it all began: in beautiful Jamaica. The celebrations kick off with a gala reception followed by variety of academic and entertainment delights with something for everyone. Then on the weekend, we’ll get together and reconnect like only West Indians do, with parties and a jazz farewell. Contact your colleagues, classmates and friends and make it a trip for the family as we celebrate the Pelican spirit! We look forward to welcoming you to Chancellor's Week.
MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018 WELCOME GALA RECEPTION This reception which opens the week of activities will be hosted by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, M.P., at Jamaica House. Attendance is by invitation only. TUESDAY JULY 24, 2018 NOSTALGIC CONVERSATIONS An interactive public forum hosted at The UWI Regional Headquarters. The event will feature distinguished alumni reflecting on the history, contributions and achievements of The UWI, and their shared experiences. WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018 70TH ANNIVERSARY PELICAN AWARDS This Awards ceremony organised by the UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) will recognise seven alumni, selected by their peers and representing each decade from 1948 to present. Awardees were chosen for their significant contribution to their communities and areas of endeavour. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2018 PELICAN PROJECTIONS The four campuses’ Guilds of Students will stage a panel discussion themed Pelican Projections: A University for the Future - UWI then, UWI now, UWI to come. This forum at The UWI Mona’s Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre promises to be a thought-provoking and animated panel discussion targeting students and the public, led by young leaders from The UWI, Government and further afield. FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018 ONE UWI FESTIVAL AND T20 CRICKET MATCH The festive event will bring together past and current Pelicans from the various campuses. Free and open to the public, it will feature pavilions showcasing the cuisine and culture of all The UWI campuses, competitions, entertainment and an exciting T20 cricket match between a Students team and a special Chancellor’s XI team. SATURDAY JULY 28, 2018 PELICAN ALL WHITE BREAKFAST PARTY A weekend-long celebration of the music, colour and culture of the Caribbean, begins at dawn with an all-inclusive event staged in collaboration with party promoters Sunnation. SATURDAY JULY 28, 2018 UWI B4 INDEPENDENCE PARTY Designed with party fans in mind, the liming continues into the night with a selection of great DJs. Coolers welcomed! SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2018 CHANCELLOR’S JAZZ FAREWELL Wine, Cheese and Jazz under the stars, will close the week on a high note. Dynamic jazz/reggae saxophonist and recording artiste, Arturo Tappin will headline a cavalcade of some of the region’s most accomplished performers.
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Dr. Lloyd Stanford
Dr. Karl Massiah
Prof. Merle Collins
6:30 p.m. - Arrival
The Hon. Justice Dr. Irving Andre
H.E. Amb. Dr. June Soomer
Dr. Andre Haughton
Dr. Nicole Nation
Programme
Awards Presentation
1979-1988 The Hon. Justice Dr. Irving W. Andre - Dominica 1989-1998 Ambassador Dr. June Soomer - St. Lucia 1999-2008 Dr. Andre Haughton - Jamaica 2009-2018 Dr. Nicole Nation - Jamaica
7:00 p.m. - Welcome Chancellor Robert Bermudez
Greetings Celia Davidson Francis - Director of Alumni Relations for The UWI and Jacqueline Sharp - President, UWIAA Jamaica Chapter
Response on behalf of the Awardees – Professor Merle Collins Special Presentation – Dr. Joy Spence, UWI Alumna and World’s First Female Master Blender Vote of Thanks – Cecile Clayton, Immediate Past President - UWIAA Jamaica Chapter
Mrs. Dawn Ottey, Class of 1967 presents Gift Cheque to Dr. Paul Aiken, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Mona Campus
Entertainment
Closing
Classical and Jazz Ensemble (CAJE) led by Peter Ashbourne
Chancellor Robert Bermudez
Awards Presentation
9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
1948-1958 Dr. Lloyd Stanford h.c. - Jamaica 1959-1968 Dr. Karl Massiah - Barbados 1969-1978 Professor Merle Collins - Grenada
“Pelican Pride Mix and Mingle”
Signature Pelican Sunrise Cocktail/Wines/Rums (J. Wray & Nephew/Campari); Tru-Juice/Water/Coca Cola (Wisynco); Wines (Betco Premier Wines); Delectable Dishes (Cuisine Art) and Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee (Café Blue)
Entertainment Charmaine Limonius with CAJE String Quartet
Special thanks to our Partners: Betco Premier Wines, Jamaica Broilers, Peter Ashbourne and CAJE, Charmaine Limonius, Cuisine Art, Café Blue, J. Wray & Nephew/Campari, Wisynco, Sagicor, UWI Press, Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre, Mona Information Technology Services
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UWI CONNECT This issue will highlight in an historical overview, some of the “Happenings” at The UWI from September 2017 to July 2018.
2017
Happenings
“We are neighbours, let’s take responsibility for each other.” The Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, called on the people of Latin America and the Caribbean to, “Take responsibility for each other and establish ownership of each other”. Speaking at the launch of the We Are Neighbours exhibition series hosted by the University’s Latin American-Caribbean Centre at the Mona Campus on September 8, 2017, Sir Hilary said, “Two hundred and one years ago Simon Bolivar travelled to Haiti to meet with leaders like Henri Christophe to plan a vision for this region”. He added, “The arrangement made was that Haiti would provide the arms and ships to liberate all of Latin America, while Simon Bolivar agreed he would abolish slavery all over the region and give us a coherent vision of ourselves. This vision of who we are, is what we should celebrate”. The exhibition series which ran from September 2017 to April 2018, at The UWI Regional Headquarters, gave each country from Latin America and the Caribbean, with a diplomatic mission, an opportunity to showcase their trade within their region as well as their domestic products with each mission hosting a three-day exhibition during the period.
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Celebrating our UWI "Symbols" - Designed to build affinity and pride in our alumni population: Tagline -
"One UWI, One Alumni Family"
Slogan -
"Show your Pelican Pride stay connected to your Alma Mater!"
Alumni Pledge -
This is recited at every graduation by the Graduating Class and at other appropriate occasions.
Unique Symbol -
The Pelican, the symbol of affiliation for alumni
UWI CONNECT
Installation of Chancellor Bermudez On September 16, 2017, our University community formally welcomed Caribbean entrepreneur, Robert Bermudez as our sixth Chancellor. The traditional academic ceremony, held at The UWI’s St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, marked the transition of leadership in the regional institution. Before hundreds of guests from across the region, including the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Chancellor Bermudez pledged to discharge his duties and obligations for the well-being of the University and its members. As part of the ceremony’s ritual, he was robed by the Presidents of the Student Guild Councils across the four campuses, and capped in the mortarboard by Professor Archibald McDonald, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Mona Campus, as a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. He then received the mace—a wooden staff—from ViceChancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, signalling his official installation.
excellence in teaching, research, innovation, public service, intellectual leadership and outreach, to support the inclusive development of the Caribbean region and beyond. We will be relying on you heavily, to constantly and consistently champion the cause of UWI Alumni Relations, to ensure that our alumni are viewed as an integral and vital part of The UWI family. We also encourage you to engage our graduates to contribute and play a vital, vibrant and major role in the life our University within its four campuses as marketers, recruiters, guest speakers, mentors and e-mentors, sponsors, donors and advocates. We are confident that you will provide the necessary support and continued engagement of alumni, as a key strategic component leading towards the overall success of The University of the West Indies.
“I am deeply conscious of the responsibility of this office and I wish to thank the University Council for bestowing this extraordinary honour upon me. In trusting its leadership to someone outside of academia, the University has made a clear statement that, as it enters its 70th year, it is recalibrating itself to the demands of the future...Standing here in the Daaga Auditorium, named in memory of a rebellious slave, brings to mind a rebel of my time: Makandaal Daaga; a man who chose to identify himself as ‘The Chief Servant’, a description that resonates deeply with me as it captures what I believe good leadership to be.” — UWI Chancellor, Robert Bermudez The UWIAA also extended special greetings to and celebrated Chancellor Bermudez’s installation which also recognised him as the new Head of our University’s Alumni Association. “We, the proud sons and daughters of this our ‘Illustrious Illuminous Western Light’, have an unwavering faith that you will be a major catalyst and contributor to the continued development of our beloved University, to continue fulfilling its Mission of advancing education and creating knowledge through
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Excellence Award for Research Accomplishments Professor Ian R. Hambleton, The George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, Cave Hill Campus
On October 25, 2017, six UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence were presented. These awards recognise excellence in Teaching, Administration and Research Accomplishments, Service to the University Community, Contributions to Public Service, and All-round Excellence in a combination of two or more of these core areas, and a departmental award for service and operational excellence. This year, two new awards are added for Excellence in Multi-campus Research Collaboration (the One UWI Award) and Excellence in International Collaboration (the Globalisation Award).
Excellence Award for Contribution to Public Service Dr. Indra Haraksingh, Department of Physics, St. Augustine Campus Excellence in International Collaboration (Globalisation Award) The Project for Ecosystem Services – Professor John Agard, Principal Investigator, Department of Life Sciences, St. Augustine Campus
Excellence Award for Teaching Dr. Jacqueline Bridge, Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Engineering, St. Augustine Campus
Excellence in Multi-campus Research Collaboration (The One UWI Award) Evaluation of the CARICOM Heads of Government 2007 Port of Spain Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Summit Declaration – Dr. T. Alafia Samuels, Principal Investigator, The George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, Cave Hill Campus
Excellence Award for Research Accomplishments Professor Chris Oura, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Augustine Campus
Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles (centre) with the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence 2016/2017 awardees. Left to right are: Professor John Agard; Dr. T. Alafia Samuels; Dr. Indra Haraksingh; Professor Chris Oura; Dr. Jacqueline Bridge and Professor Ian R. Hambleton.
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LUMIN Consulting Rebrands for Global Reach consultants, led by Executive Director, Lisa Cummins, but also includes outstanding alumni and exemplars in the diaspora and UWI partners around the globe who offer specialist and world class expertise. LUMIN has the unique distinction of having the largest pool of developing countries expertise anywhere in the world and is committed to designing solutions for the Caribbean, by the Caribbean.
On Nov 23, 2017 LUMIN Consulting, formerly known as UWI Consulting was launched. It is the result of an extensive process of restructuring and realignment of the role that The UWI intends to play in reinvigorating Caribbean development and ensuring that the University is at the centre of a new growth trajectory for the region. By drawing on global development standards and goals for the small economies of the Caribbean and the world, LUMIN has developed a new operational model driven by its vision to effect change, drive transformation and guarantee impact in the region and beyond. In its new incarnation, the firm will provide research, strategy and enterprise consulting services to its clients in four key specialty areas: inclusive growth and development; strategy and development; technology, innovation and entrepreneurship and sustainable development and climate change. Through these areas, LUMIN is perfectly poised to help other small economies navigate the multidimensional issues that support the region’s growth trajectory; they cover some of the most pressing challenges facing our region, small islands and small economies generally. Whether clients need to craft new national development visions, develop implementation plans, drive change at the institutional and firm levels or support the development of new industries by introducing new pro-growth interventions, these are just a few of the services LUMIN can provide. Driven by the traditional resources of The UWI’s four campuses, including faculties and students, LUMIN encompasses the vision of the global UWI—to be an excellent global university rooted in the Caribbean. The firm draws consultants from a diverse team of in-house
At the launch of LUMIN Consulting are (l-r): The Hon. Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Galina Sotirova, World Bank Country Manager, Jamaica; Lisa Cummins, Executive Director, LUMIN Consulting and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI.
The UWI’s Net Zero Building Jamaica and the Caribbean’s first net zero energy building was officially opened on October 25, 2017 at The UWI, Mona. The 2,300 square-foot structure, situated along Gibraltar Way, is designed as a model to encourage construction of sustainable and energy-efficient buildings throughout the region. As a prototype, it will demonstrate emerging and best practices in the built environment as it relates to energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental design.The building will house the Centre for Advanced Research in Renewable Energy, the first such centre in the Caribbean, promoting research in photovoltaic (solar), wind and biomass energy. A net zero building is one where the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site. The long-term benefits are lower environmental impact and operating and maintenance costs, better resiliency to power outages and natural disasters, and improved energy security. The net zero energy building project was implemented by The UWI Institute of Sustainable Development with funding from the Global Environment Facility and technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme.
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UWItv - 1st Anniversary Celebration After more than 65,000 minutes of airtime from nearly 300 programme episodes and more than 60 livestreamed events, having reached 183 countries around the world, UWItv celebrated the milestone of its first anniversary. The multimedia, public information and education service of The University of the West Indies was launched on November 25, 2016 and went live in December 2016. One year later, the University marked the success of the platform with a celebratory event and award ceremony on November 28, 2017 at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination at The UWI Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. The anniversary programme included a feature address by media stalwart and President of Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Mr. Gary Allen. An inaugural UWItv award was presented to broadcasting’s quintessential Caribbean Man, Julian Rogers. Guided by its ethos “Caribbean matters”, UWItv deemed it fitting to pay tribute to Julian Rogers’ 54-year career of contributions to Caribbean press, radio and television and as a ground-breaking presenter and programme-maker, owner/manager, trainer and consultant. He is well known for his track record of transforming new, independent radio stations into market leaders and national institutions, particularly throughout the 1980s and 1990s and has remained at the forefront of building new media brands throughout the turn of the new century. In addition to his numerous career highlights, Rogers has been an adviser to several regional and international institutions on media development and training and has sat on the Regional Advisory Board of The UWI Caribbean Institute for Media and Communication. For services to broadcasting, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2014. Mr. Gary Allen, described the platform as “a source of information—for people
UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles presenting Janet Caroo, Head of UWItv with an award on the occasion of the first anniversary.
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in the Caribbean about the Caribbean, our leaders, the movers and shakers in what we do in business, in sport, in events that have shaped our societies—done well, produced well and providing easy access to our customers”. Many similar commendations came in from across the region, praising UWItv’s innovativeness and potential for the Caribbean. The biggest show of endorsement however, was an announcement by President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. William Warren Smith, that the organisation agreed to an investment of US$130,000 into UWItv.
UWI CONNECT
Helping Hands and Hearts for our Fellow Caribbean Hurricane Victims Vincent HoSang Family Foundation Donates US$10,000 to The UWI’s Hurricane Relief Effort On Nov 3, 2017 the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation donated US$10,000 to the fundraising efforts spearheaded by The University of the West Indies to support Caribbean islands affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria. The donation was made through the University’s newly established, Caribbean Emergency Management Association (CEMA). CEMA is a joint fundraising organisation between The UWI and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Presenting the cheque at The UWI Mona Western Jamaica Campus in Montego Bay, Jamaica-born, Dr. Vincent HoSang, who is a leading producer of Jamaican-styled patties in North America and Chairman of the US-based Foundation, said he was, “Saddened at the devastation wreaked by the hurricanes and the suffering of our Caribbean brothers and sisters. I hope this donation will help to put them on the path to recovery”.
Above: The UWIAA Washington DC Chapter partnered with other organisations to raise funds for hurricane victims.
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The UWI Open Campus Mobilises Hurricane Relief for Hard-Hit Sites in Dominica, Tortola (BVI) and Anguilla Recovery and disaster relief efforts took place at The University of the West Indies Open Campus Country Sites in Dominica, Anguilla and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Site in Dominica was the hardest hit with 90% of the physical facility severely damaged and a near total loss of equipment.
collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the CARICOM Heads of Government. The Open Campus Principal commended the Heads and staff in the affected countries, and Dr. Cheryl McDonald-Sloley, the Coordinator of the Open Campus’ Hurricane Relief Committee for going above and beyond to secure the welfare of their students and the physical facilities of the Open Campus Sites. Dr. Longsworth also acknowledged the efforts of Canadian businessman and site design consultant, Nick St. Georges, who initiated a Canadian GoFundMe account and arranged for the purchase and shipping of relief supplies to affected staff and students.
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth joined the work teams in Dominica to support the clean-up and rebuilding efforts, and to provide moral support to the staff and students who were dislocated. “We are thankful that there was no loss of life among our staff and students, but the needs are great and we are prioritising and channeling our efforts into delivering support to where it is needed most”, said PVC Longsworth. “Understandably, many of our students will have to defer their education, and we have teams on spot here in Dominica, Tortola and Anguilla to provide advice to our students on the way forward”, she added. Although physical damage to the sites in Anguilla and the BVI was minimal, normal operations were not resumed until electricity and internet access were restored to these countries and Dominica. Dr. Longsworth pointed out that an Open Campus Relief Fund was set up to raise funds to aid the recovery efforts in the three countries, as part of The UWI’s ‘Our Neighbour’s Keeper’ response to the disaster in
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth travelled to Dominica to support staff and students at the Dominica Country Site which sustained 90% damage during the passage of Hurricane Maria.
Relief supplies being mobilised by The UWI Open Campus team for distribution to staff and students in Dominica.
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UWI CONNECT
Future Alumni Feature
Smoker is a 60-year tradition in which the third year medical and dental students stage a benefit play in aid of a local hospital in need. The MBBS/DDS Class of 2020 chose The Linstead Public Hospital Project. They were committed to the hospital and the communities it serves and also participated in a Labour Day Project at the hospital and in the Tru-Juice 5k Run/ 20K Cycle which was also in aid of the Linstead Public Hospital. Their biggest fundraiser was the theatre play entitled SILHOUETTE. This production was entirely written, produced, directed and performed by the talented members of the MBBS/DDS Class of 2020. SILHOUETTE was staged at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts at The UWI Mona Campus from September 5-10, 2017. The class was able to donate an AMBULANCE fully outfitted with a wall mounted diagnostic set with ophthalmoscope and otoscope with anti-theft heads, a blood pressure monitor and speculum dispenser, electrical and roof ventilators a portable stretcher and drip holders. The Producer of Smoker, Jovae Taylor said, “Martin Luther King Jr. asked a profound question that has been the motivational factor of my career in medicine. ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is “What are you doing for others?”.’ The medical class of 2020 answered the question in no uncertain terms by identifying a need and supplying a solution which in the case of Linstead Hospital (the beneficiary) is an ambulance. I was glad to be a part of this worthwhile venture”. Kudos to our students - our future alumni!
The cast
The Smoker Executive Team from left: Akilah Sykes, Brittany Colahar, Ava Robertson, Christopher Chatoor, Lee-ana Chung, Jovae Taylor and Jourdain Masters.
Jovae Taylor and Ava Robertson (Class President)
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UWI CONNECT
New York Chapter UWI alumnus Cedric Gayle visited The UWI Regional Headquarters on December 11, 2017 and presented a copy of the History of the Formation of the UWI Alumni Association New York Chapter to the Director of Alumni Relations for The UWI, Celia Davidson Francis which he compiled and authored. This informative and historically useful work will be kept for posterity in The UWI Archives.
Washington DC Chapter 70th Anniversary Get-Together
2018 Pelican Awards Luncheon
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UWI CONNECT
Florida Chapter Interfaith Service for The UWI’s 70th Anniversary
70th Celebration Gathering
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UWI CONNECT
UWIAA St. Lucia Spreads Cheer On December 2, 2017 the UWIAA St. Lucia Chapter hosted its second Annual Christmas Food Drive at Massy Stores, Waterfront, Castries. The purpose of this initiative was to collect non-perishable food items from alumni for less fortunate families and persons living in homes. In undertaking this initiative for the first time in 2016 the experience was so gratifying that the Executive decided to make the Christmas Food Drive an annual event. Alumni enjoy giving back to society and impacting the lives of their communities in keeping with the overall mandate of the Chapter. This year the Chapter brought Christmas cheer to two Homes - Cornerstone Humanitarian Society and The Holy Family Children’s Home and three families Joanna Andrew of Anse La Raye, Twain Edward (UWI alumnus) of Laborie and Vanessa Mathurin of Gros Islet who had just lost her home on November 25, 2017 due to a fire. They were all immensely grateful for the gifts and thanked the Chapter for considering them and being so generous. The UWIAA St. Lucia Chapter looks forward to embarking on similar initiatives in 2018 and beyond.
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UWI CONNECT
The Bahamas’ Souse-Out The UWIAA The Bahamas had their first 70th anniversary event on May 26, 2018 - a Souse-Out which brought graduates together in a spirit of camaraderie to celebrate their Alma Mater. Over 200 persons participated. Held at the home of Acting President Dr. Mortimer Moxey, various types of delicious souse were served with freshly baked "johnny cake" and were enjoyed by everyone. Many alumni and Friends of The UWI came. It was so agreeable that alumni stayed on at the home of Dr. Moxey talking for hours and enjoying each other’s company. Photos show scenes from the entertaining event. The main 70th event will be a "Back to The UWI" weekend with lots of exciting activities from November 16-18th and The UWI Chancellor, Robert Bermudez, is carded to attend. If you are going to be in The Bahamas then, plan on taking part!
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Yvonne (Patterson) Silverman, Mona; Cherita (Bent) Campbell, Mona; Sheila DeGannes, St. Augustine; Jean (Archer) Patterson, Mona and Joan Alexander (Friend of The UWI)
Dr. Robert and Mrs. Hazel (Spence) Ogilvie, Mona graduates
Elizabeth (Barrett) Scott, Karl Gordon and Barbara (Carey) Henville, Mona graduates
Toronto Chapter Celebrates 30th Anniversary Dr. Hazel Campayne, Mona graduate
Diane Hope, Cave Hill graduate
The UWIAA Toronto Chapter celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Toronto Chapter and the 70th Anniversary of The UWI on May 27, 2018 at a Caribbean Luncheon with President Ferdinand Fortune leading the charge. Known members of the Toronto alumni who transitioned during the last year - Tueson Dunstan (Mona Arts graduate 1963), Michael Henville, former Co-Chair of the Toronto Chapter (Management Studies, Mona) and Daphne Hart (Mona Arts graduate.) were remembered. UWI Mona graduate (81) Dr. Upton Allen, Senior Head of the Infectious Diseases Division and Interim Medical Director of the Transplant Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) gave the Keynote Address. Celia Davidson-Francis, Director of Alumni Relations for The UWI, sent a message of good wishes for the luncheon, recognising Michael Henville’s service to The UWI. The Toronto Chapter raised CAN$4,000 for students in financial need at the four campuses.
Leroy Crosse, Cave Hill graduate; Dr. Upton Allen and Karl Gordon, Mona graduates
Elizabeth (Blake) Parchment and Jean (Archer) Patterson, Mona graduates
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Lloyd Wilks and Ferdinand Fortune, Mona graduates
Ferdinand and Elma Fortune, Mona graduates
Dr. Dennis Forrester, St. Augustine graduate and Dr. Upton Allen, Mona graduate
UWI CONNECT
UWIAA Dominica’s “Winesday” The UWI Alumni Association held an Outreach Cocktail dubbed ‘Winesday’, which also doubled as a membership drive at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium Pavilion on August 23, 2017. President Daren Pinard welcomed fellow Pelicans as did Treasurer Cleo Watt. Participants were able to purchase memorabilia. A 1972 Alumnus Ambassador Hubert Charles, expressed his elation as members socialised and mingled.
BVI Back on Board
Director of Alumni Relations Celia Davidson Francis enjoys a working lunch in Fort Lauderdale with UWIAA Florida President Dr. Carmen Nicholas and Board Members Diana Turnbull and Miriam White. She was in Florida on UWI business and took the opportunity to strategise with Board members.
UWI alumna Celia Georges, now acting as the official UWIAA BVI Representative, supported by Tanisha Todd of the Open Campus BVI and Sandeep Jagger, is calling on all UWI alumni to get engaged and connected. Thanks to the support of Mr. Jagger and Campus Alumni Officer Sandra Griffiths-Carrington, they are poised to revitalise the Chapter.
UWI Alumna Paula-Mae Weekes is now the President of Trinidad and Tobago.
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UWI CONNECT
Anguilla Alumni Celebrate The UWI’s 70th Anniversary Even though still recovering from the devastating hurricane of 2017, UWI Anguilla alumni were out on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the Church of God (Holiness) in Pope Hill to mark the beginning of the University’s 70th Anniversary year by celebrating together. In attendance were staff of The UWI Open Campus, Guild Executive, UWI Open Campus students, UWIAA Executive and other alumni and faculty. The UWIAA Anguilla Chapter President, Mr. Stanley E. Reid, also read a lesson to underscore the engagement and pride of graduates, as they came together.
Alumni Retreat in Grenada In October 2017, the Open Campus Presidents held a successful Alumni Retreat in Grenada, which highlighted the importance of alumni engagement in the life of each Open Campus site. It was also attended by the Director of Alumni for The UWI and the Principal of the Open Campus.
1970s Mona Graduates Reunite
Mona graduates of the 1970s gathered in Trinidad for the weekend of October 20 - 21, 2017 for a Reunion under the theme “Remembering UWI Mona” – they came from across the globe to reunite. H.E. Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Chancellor Hall) hosted the alumni to a cocktail evening at The National Academy for the Performing Arts on October 20th. The following evening, a Dinner and Dance was held at the Century Ballroom, Queen's Park Oval. H.E. the President and the Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley (Irvine Hall) were guests on this occasion.
Class of 1967 celebrates 50th Anniversary! In September 2017, the Class of 1967 got together for 4 days of celebrations for their 50th Anniversary! The first event - A Forum on Engagement was well attended and produced valuable information. Other activities included an Oldies Fete, Tours, Lunch and Lyme, Gala Evening, Church Service and Last Lap Brunch.
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2018
Happenings
Dr. Gertrude Shotte describes herself as a proud alumna of The UWI. She has produced a booklet of poems entitled Celebrating 70 with Poetry for The UWI’s 70th Anniversary. We share one here:
UWI at 70! (Free verse)
I’m no nestling Not any more Fully fledged, I stand tall Of full-grown stature Celebrating with pride An auspicious milestone At 70! I’m no nestling Not any more During my struggles and tests I crafted my identity Within West Indianness Quintessentially UWI At 70! I’m no nestling Not any more Have a regional focus Internationally competitive Courting a globalised mission Still rooted in Caribbeanness At 70!
“W. Arthur Lewis Day” was January 23, 2018 January 23, 2018 was declared “W. Arthur Lewis Day” at The UWI. As part of the 70th anniversary celebrations, the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) commemorated the work of Lewis, the University’s first Vice-Chancellor, and celebrate 70 years of research contributions to economic policies and processes in the Caribbean. “W. Arthur Lewis Day” saw a series of events hosted across the University’s Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine campuses including forums to discuss the current relevance of Lewis’ work amid the economic challenges facing the region.
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Hall Named in Honour of Sir George Alleyne
Sir George Alleyne, former Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, unveils the plaque of the George Alleyne Hall — the largest hall of residence at the Mona Campus — which was recently named in his honour. Sharing in the moment are (from second left) Principal Archibald McDonald, Dr. Camille Bell-Hutchinson, Campus Registrar, and Jason McKenzie, Director of Students Services and Development.
Milner Hall St. Augustine Now Freedom Hall Residents of the newly renamed Freedom Hall were happy to be part of the namechange process and are pleased with the outcome. The University allowed alumni and students, especially the residents, to choose the name. The process began because of a report compiled by Professor of South African History, ProVice Chancellor Alan Cobley, which recommended the change from Milner. The release said, “The report confirmed the association of Lord Alfred Milner, whom the hall was named after, with crimes against humanity in Africa among other actions driven by his self-proclaimed ‘British race supremacy’ ideology”. The new name was approved in February 2018.
Mona School of Business & Management wins International Innovation Award On February 2, 2018 the Mona School of Business and Management won the Business School Innovation Award for its Financial Markets Lab at the Annual AMBA Gala Dinner and MBA Excellence Awards. The UWI is the only institution in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, to house a Bloomberg Markets Lab which provides a range of services that include analytics, communication and a wide array of economic data, and is equipped with a global financial markets simulator provided by StockTrak. This virtual trading room is the first of its kind in the Anglophone Caribbean and brings the School’s technical infrastructure on par with leading international Business Schools. Michael Williams, MSBM Executive Director (Acting) expressed his joy noting that AMBA is an elite group, and to be awarded number one is a true honour. The AMBA Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner celebrates the quality and achievements of postgraduate business education at the forefront of leadership excellence, recognising the talents and contributions made by AMBA-accredited Schools and their students, and was attended by 193 Business School leaders representing 74 Schools and 24 countries across the world.
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University Council 2018 The Annual University Council Meeting took place on Friday April 27, 2018. The University Council is the highest governing body of The UWI and is the decision-making authority on all business affairs of the University, the management of the finances, and matters such as appointments of senior officers. This was the first time that Chancellor Robert Bermudez presided over the annual business meeting as Chairman since taking up his appointment. A central feature of the proceedings is Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles’ detailed report to the Council on the major advancements across the four campuses of The UWI – inclusive of financial, administrative and academic, as well as projections for the future of the University. Themed The Missing Link: Research and Innovation, the Vice-Chancellor’s report discussed the University’s strategy to drive regional economies out of the doldrums and into the mainstream of global economic recovery. Some of these initiatives include: The launch of the Faculty of Sport - the first new faculty in 40 years, as a pathway to Caribbean economic development, The special vulnerabilities of the Caribbean and The UWI’s harnessing of its expertise and competencies to champion resilience development in the Caribbean through a diverse set of initiatives, including a newly established Caribbean Emergency Management Association (CEMA), The implementation of the Colleges of The UWI (CUWI) system, connecting The UWI to all interested and qualified community colleges in the region as a step toward building an integrated tertiary education system that brings the Caribbean together, The negotiation of a range of MOUs between The UWI and the regional private sector to collaborate on research to drive innovation, and The global affairs thrust that has seen the establishment of partnering institutes in Africa, China and North America. Since 2016, the opening segment has been livestreamed, in a move by the University to leverage available technology to facilitate greater transparency, accountability and engagement across all our stakeholders. It was also aired aired live on UWItv and followed by a press conference.
Phenomenal UWI Women who have captured the attention of our audiences on Pelican Talks in 2018. Visit uwi.edu/alumnionline to see fascinating archived programmes!
Dr. Edwidge Danticat
Dr. Joy Spence World’s First Female Master Blender
Renowned Author
H.E. Dr. June Soomer Diplomat and Regionalist
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NEWS CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARIBBEAN YOUTH! The UWI Vice-Chancellor's Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (UWI STAT) Ambassador Corps hosted a Climate Change Forum themed, The Eye of the Storm: The Implications of the Paris Agreement/Climate Change and the “Right to Life” for Caribbean Youth. The Forum was held synchronously at the University’s Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine campuses and streamed live on UWItv on April 12, 2018. This inaugural event was the first of what the UWI STAT Ambassador Corps hopes will be an ongoing initiative for young Caribbean persons to become more aware of and advocate for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Youth were encouraged to join UWI STAT’s Climate Change Advocacy and Action Network: UWI STAT CCAAN and to thereby influence policy through petitions, awareness and advocacy. A series of presentations by climate change experts were followed by a dynamic interactive discussion. The panel of regional climate change experts included: Professor Leonard Nurse, Professor Integrated Coastal Area Management and Climate Change at The UWI, Cave Hill; Professor John Agard, Director, Office of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer at The UWI, St. Augustine; Dr. David C. Smith, Coordinator, Institute for Sustainable Development at The UWI, Mona; Jeremy Collymore, Advisor Disaster Resilience, The UWI Office of the Vice-Chancellor; and Danielle Andrade, Attorney-at-Law, Environmental and Human Rights. Professor Dale Webber, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies and Research, himself a Coastal Ecologist whose expertise extends to Climate Change and Sustainable Development. chaired the event.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles underscored the significance of the forum noting, “The Climate Change discourse will reveal the need for this region to address the fundamental issues: inequality, democracy and social justice. This is an opportunity to change the narrative about how our communities are built and will be sustained in the future. Student leaders and all students should take all the fragments of knowledge, all the fragments of scientific research and history, sociology, anthropology and architecture and forge it into a discourse of activism where you can speak truth to power and be persistent about it”. Mrs. Celia Davidson Francis, the Director and Regional Coordinator of the UWI STAT Corps highlighted that panelists would emphasise the different aspects of global climate change and how these affect the Caribbean region. Students and youth present were challenged to do their part in advocating for action and contributing to solutions and to join UWI STAT CCAAN !
Students gathered at The UWI Regional Headquarters in Mona Jamaica for the UWI STAT Ambassador Corps climate change forum pictured with: (l-r) Asha-Gaye Cowell, UWI STAT President Mona Campus; Danielle Andrade, Attorney-at-Law, Environmental and Human Rights; Una May Gordon, Principal Director of the Climate Change Division, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Jamaica; Dr. David C. Smith, Coordinator, Institute for Sustainable Development and Celia Davidson Francis, Director of Alumni Relations at The UWI and Regional Coordinator of the Vice Chancellor’s UWI STAT Corps.
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UWI Researchers Unveil Powerful Findings The UWI JA KIDS Birth Cohort Study Research Team hosted a conference at The University of the West Indies from May 31 to June 1, 2018 to share ground-breaking findings from their seven-year investigation of Jamaican children and their families. They unveiled the Jamaican Birth Cohort Study, which is a comprehensive exploration of child health and development in 21st century Jamaica. It is Jamaica’s second birth cohort study and includes every baby born between July 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011. Jamaica’s first birth cohort study took place in 1986 and had significant impact on various policies, programmes and interventions for children, especially in the health sector. This new study will add new dimensions to the knowledge of Jamaican children and families, including detailed developmental and behavioural evaluations on children in the early years. The JA KIDS Research Team has also conducted special investigations on a variety of topics relevant to the Jamaican context. These include an examination of the role of fathers in child development, the outcomes for newborns admitted to hospital shortly after birth and the levels of PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), OC (Organochlorine) pesticides, Professor Maureen Samms Vaughan, Principal Investigator and UWI and six heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, alumna. manganese, and aluminium) in the cord-blood obtained from make interventions aimed at improving the lives of our JA KIDS newborns. people, we are giving priority to understanding the factors It is expected that findings from the JA KIDS study will benefit which affect how our children grow and develop. This is an Jamaica by providing the health, education, social and investment which we expect to reap long lasting returns to academic sectors with information from which to develop the population”. national policies and programmes to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children and families. As the study’s The establishment of the JA KIDS cohort was funded primarily Principal Investigator, Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan through a grant from the Inter-American Development Bank emphasises: “Our JA KIDS children and families have allowed (IDB), and the Bank has remained a strong supporter of the us to understand so much about parenting children in modern study over the years. General Manager for the IDB’s Caribbean Jamaica. We owe it to them and to all our children to use this Country Department, Therese Turner-Jones, says the Bank has been happy to partner with JA KIDS over the past seven information well”. years, since “it aligns with our vision to improve lives by Analysis of the data already collected in the JA KIDS study will creating vibrant sustainable economies where people are safe, provide information on maternal health and well-being; productive and happy”. She added that, “Looking ahead, the pregnancy; paternal well-being and involvement; children's IDB anticipates that these ground-breaking data and analyses status at birth and at various points thereafter; and children's will lead to innovation in how Jamaican children are treated experiences and growth in the early years. According to from birth to adolescence. It is our hope that it improves Dr. Tomlin Paul, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The parenting (for example understanding that boys and girls University of the West Indies: “The JA KIDS study is an ideal develop differently), education and overall child and maternal example of the University delivering on its mission. As we health”.
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The UWI Open Campus Celebrates its First Decade Formally established on July 4, 2008 at the Council of the Caribbean Heads of Government Annual Meeting in Antigua & Barbuda, the launch of The UWI Open Campus was one of the highlights of The UWI’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Its establishment was a visionary and strategic response to the growing needs of access to higher education and lifelong learning for the 21st century, thus after years of evolution The UWI Extra-Mural Department became the Open Campus. The Open Campus has developed a remarkable organisation based on technology and people development. Currently, the Campus offers over 50 degree programmes fully online with hundreds of associated courses. In addition, its 42 sites in 17 countries provide support for students as well as serve as ambassadorial points of contact for The UWI throughout the region. The UWI has utilised the Open Campus as an incubator for innovation and technological growth with the success of its online programming now being mainstreamed into the landed campuses as a part of their own growth and 21st century development. The Open Campus has also led the adoption of new pathways to learning such as Prior Learning Assessment, Programme Laddering and Continuing Education Units for Professional and Continuing Education courses and programmes.
The Open Campus, Campus Principal Dr. Luz Longsworth said, “As we celebrate, we also look forward to a future where the Open Campus will continue to enable Caribbean nationals to reside at home to build nations and keep families together, while pursuing their education”. Vice-Chancellor Beckles stated, “The challenges of the region’s economic growth are directly linked to the low levels of higher education enrolment in our hemisphere and the Open Campus has proven itself as ready and prepared to continue to be the key that opens the doors to higher education and bring equity to the region”.
SALISES’ 19th Annual Conference In celebrating The UWI's 70th Anniversary, the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies (SALISES), The UWI Mona, hosted its 19th Annual Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica from April 25-27, 2018 under the theme: Sustainable Futures for the Caribbean: Critical Interventions and the 2030 Agenda. In 1947 a conference for the Closer Association of the British West Indian Colonies was also held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and was attended by country and colonial representatives. An important activity of that conference was the establishment of a committee to examine the political and economic needs for closer association of the Caribbean territories and to make recommendations. The SALISES Conference sought to re-examine the questions raised at that historic conference in Montego Bay, and to revisit issues such as Caribbean fiscal problems, labour rights and structural inequality. It also sought to provide analyses of the multiple political challenges and prospects for sustainable social and economic growth by 2030 and beyond. Professor Melissa Leach, Director of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, was the Keynote Speaker for the Sir Arthur Lewis Distinguished Lecture.
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Caribbean Support for the UK’s Windrush Generation! UWI Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles visited London, UK in June 2018 on the invitation of the British Library and participated in discussions concerning the Windrush generation. He delivered the keynote lecture themed, British Trade in Black Labour: The Windrush Middle Passage, on June 15. Then on June 16, he gave a lecture entitled, The Windrush Legacy: Rights and Reparations, at the Brixton Library. There was international discourse about the threat of deportation of the Windrush generation and the British Prime Minister Theresa May apologised and met with Caribbean leaders in April in efforts to begin to resolve the situation.
GRENADA HOST’S 16th BIENNIAL INTER-CAMPUS STAFF GAMES The UWI’s 16th Biennial Inter-Campus Staff Games, was held in the Spice Isle of Grenada as tribute to the island’s government for a gift of 89 acres of land. The Games ran from July 6 - 15, 2018 and were hosted by the Open Campus. The games saw Dr. Luz Longsworth, the Principal of The UWI Open Campus noted that the 2018 Games are particularly significant and include historic firsts; it was be the first time that the games were hosted by The Open Campus and the first time they would be held outside of The UWI’s three physical campuses. Dr. Longsworth also described the choice of the location for the Games as an homage to the government of Grenada for its extraordinary generosity in gifting The UWI 89 acres of land in Hope, St. Andrews. “It is our hope that those lands will host the University’s Faculty of Sport, Physical Rehabilitation and Wellness Centre and the Open Campus Academy of Sport” she announced. Vice-Chancellor Beckles spoke about the importance of the Staff Games and said, “Universities ought not to be concerned exclusively with their academic agendas and their excellence. They should also be concerned with building family, building community. That is the social cohesion that makes for fine and sustainable Universities!” The UWI tradition which began in 1948 provides an opportunity for all levels of staff to engage in friendly competition, fostering closer integration across the regional University. It lasted 10 days and included football, basketball, volleyball, netball, cricket, lawn and table tennis and athletics. The celebratory spirit of the Games took place against a backdrop of The UWI’s 70th anniversary year. 27
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V.I.P. – Very Important Pelican Young alumna, Trinidadian Dr. Kizanne James obtained her medical degree from The UWI Mona and won the Chevening Scholarship 2016/17. She is completing her Master’s degree in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care at the University of Southampton, one of the Russell group of universities. She also copped the Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Award 2017 for her contribution to women’s health. Kizanne was also awarded a SEED grant from the University of Southampton to start her own company providing sexual health resources using technology. She was selected as one of 10 World Contraception Day Ambassadors, representing Latin America and the Caribbean. Her selection was propelled by the fact that she was
awarded a grant to form a company called Access Sexual Health from Women Deliver (an international women’s advocacy group). Most recently she did a TED talk at TEDx, about her organisation, highlighting using technology to solve the global sex health problem. Kizanne also received an award from John Hopkins University and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recognising her as a global champion for the promotion of sexual health, which she travelled to the USA to receive in September 2017.
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PELICAN SOARING Young alumna Maxsalia Salmon is currently completing her service year with Atlas Corps. She is serving at the Council on Foundations in its Global Philanthropy Programme. The Council is a great fit as she herself is a philanthropist having co-founded the M&N Foundation for Aspiring Youth with fellow UWI STAT Alumni Ambassador Naketa West back in 2010. Maxsalia has six years experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly engaged in activities related to youth development, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. She completed her second Master’s degree in International Development at the University of Birmingham in England and also holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of the West Indies, Mona. Maxsalia was most recently employed as a Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica. Furthermore, she is passionate about youth and women’s empowerment and has extensive advocacy experience as part of local, regional and international nonprofit networks such as the International Women’s Health Coalition, Advocates for Youth, and Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era. Through these experiences, Maxsalia has developed strong coordination, interpersonal, research, and communication skills. Atlas Service Corps, Inc. (Atlas Corps), which started in 2006, is an international network of nonprofit leaders and organisations that promotes innovation, cooperation, and solutions to address the world’s 21st century challenges. Its mission is to address critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organisations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals. Atlas Corps engages leaders committed to the nonprofit sector in 12 to 18-month professional fellowships
at organisations to learn best practices, build organisational capacity, and return home to create a network of global changemakers. As part of the fellowship experience, fellows have various opportunities to engage in leadership development activities, including attending conferences and participating in several training workshops throughout their stay in the United States. As part of her own experience, Maxsalia has visited the United Nations, lobbied on Capitol Hill and received an Executive Certificate in Transformational Leadership for the 21st Century from Georgetown University.
Maxsalia joins panel at the Forum to discuss education for all as a part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Maxsalia meets the former United States of America Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton at the Women’s Global Leadership Forum.
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Pelicans Soaring
Alayne Frankson-Wallace has been appointed Executive Director of the Office of Administration of Justice at the United Nations. She is a Commonwealth scholar and holds a Master of Laws in International and Commercial Law (with distinction) from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom; a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School and a Bachelor of Laws (upper second class honours) from The University of The West Indies. She has over 23 years of legal experience at the national and international levels, including in the internal justice system at the United Nations. Prior to this she was the Ethics Advisor with the United Nations Development Programme from 2008-2015. She also served as Prosecuting Counsel at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 2005-2008.
Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle has been recognised with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) from the Government of Jamaica for dedicated service in the field of Pharmacology locally and regionally. She is a UWI alumna, receiving her PhD in 2011. She is a Pharmacist, a former pharmacy owner and was President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica (1992-1995). She was enrolled at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) and the University of Technology pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Pharmacology and Media and Communication at the same time. She successfully completed both degrees and graduated with first class honours at The UWI. She served as President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists from 2000-2008 and as Dean for the College of Health Sciences at UTech from 2011-2016. She is now Head of the Caribbean Institute of Pharmacy Policy.
Jacqueline Quamina joins Republic Bank Board Former Executive Director of Republic Bank Limited (Republic Bank), and former Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Republic Bank and Republic Financial Holdings Limited, Jacqueline Quamina’s appointment took effect on February 1, 2018. She has a Bachelor of Laws from The UWI and was called to the Bar of England and Wales where she is a member of Gray’s Inn. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of London and an Executive MBA from The UWI. She has expertise in banking, finance and corporate law in the Caribbean, as well as in communications, governance and compliance. She is a Director on the Board of Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited and Unilever Caribbean Limited. She is also Chairman of The National Insurance Board and a past Director of the Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute. More recently, she participated in the Corporate Governance, Executive Education Programme at Stanford University, San Francisco and has completed the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Canada Director Education and Accreditation Programme and the Certificate in Corporate Governance at the Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute.
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Pelicans Soaring
Cheryl Brown is among 150 women being celebrated by the University of London. The University of London, in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the acceptance of women as students at the institution, has selected Ms. Cheryl Brown, UWI alumna and former Director of the Office of Sponsored Research at the Mona Campus, to be featured among the 150 women to be honoured during the celebratory year 2018. The anniversary is being marked with several activities in London as well as online.
UWI alumnus Louis Lewis was made the first Chief Executive Officer of the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, and the Board of the Tobago Tourism Agency on November 1, 2017. He is an alumnus of The UWI, Cave Hill, with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the same institution. He is a Certified Bank Examiner, and a Project Management Professional. He most recently served on the Saint Lucia Tourist Board from February 2008 to January 2017, in the capacity of Director of Tourism, as well as Chief Executive Officer. His previous positions included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Head of the Research Department at the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, as an Economist with the Ministry of Finance, as well as an Economic Statistician with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank at its headquarters in Saint Kitts.
Cheryl earned the Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) from the University of London in 1998. In the letter advising her of the honour, Sir Adrian Smith, University of London Vice-Chancellor, cited Ms. Brown’s contribution to the legal profession in Jamaica as well as her work with UNESCO on bioethics. She has served a total of fourteen years monitoring and advising on bioethics within the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, first as a member of the Inter-Governmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC), then on the Bureau of that Committee and eventually, on the International Bioethics Committee (IBC) on which she was specially invited to serve. A past student of St. Hugh’s High School, Cheryl Brown holds several degrees and diplomas from The University of the West Indies, including the Bachelor of Arts in French, the Diploma in Education, the Diploma in Management Studies, the Certificate of Legal Education and the Master of Philosophy (MPhil). She was also a member of the University staff for twenty-two years. The UWI, which is celebrating the 70th Anniversary of its founding in 2018 is proud of the achievement of this outstanding alumna and former staff member who not only shows her Pelican Pride but is an inspiration to other graduates as well as current students.
Benedict Bryan is the founder of the Humanitarian Association of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (HARTT) and Queen’s Young Leader regional winner. The Queen’s Young Leader award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. HARTT focuses on providing humanitarian assistance to refugees. Its programmes have included an initiative which taught refugees English and extra-curricular activities to help them integrate into their new culture. Bryan also sits on the committee for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in Trinidad and Tobago.
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Justice Adrian Saunders is the new President of the Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He is from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He graduated from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1975 and a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad & Tobago in 1977. He was among the first cohort of judges to join the CCJ bench before being elevated to President.
UWI alumnus, poet and novelist Kei Miller is among the four laureates announced by the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence for its 2018 Awards. The Laureates were proposed by country nominating committees and selected by a regional panel of eminent persons. Miller has written three novels, a short story collection, four poetry collections, and a book of “essays and prophecies”. He is also a blogger and tweeter, maintaining a running commentary on regional and international current affairs. He won the Forward Prize for Poetry (2014), the premier accolade in the UK and Ireland for established and emerging poets, now in its 23rd year. He is the first writer from the Caribbean and person of colour to win the prize. His first collection of short fiction, The Fear of Stones, was shortlisted in 2007 for the Commonwealth Writers First Book Prize. His novel, Augustown, won the Bocas Literary prize in 2017 and its French translation won the Prix Carbet de la CaraÔbe et du Tout-Monde. Miller’s work is closely tied to the Caribbean region, and his continued links to institutions like The University of the West Indies and the Bocas Literary Festival support this. He is the Editor of Carcanet’s New Caribbean Poetry collection (2007). The Cartographer, his most recent collection, features a mapmaker who speaks “the Queen’s English” but sucks his teeth like a Jamaican, and a “Rastaman” with a PhD. The Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards programme in the Caribbean rewards outstanding nominees in arts and letters, public and civic contributions, science and technology and entrepreneurship. It has been in existence since 2005. The prizes are worth TT $500,000 each, and each laureate receives a medal and citation at the awards ceremony,
UWI alumna Marie-Noelle Brunot, who hails from Martinique is now the Executive Director of the Alliance Francaise de la Jamaique. She has an MSc degree in Project Management and International Relations pursued at the Institute of Political Studies of Bordeaux (France), The University of the West Indies (Mona Campus), and the University of the French West Indies (Martinique) and an MSc in Politics and International Cooperation from The University of the West Indies. The Alliance Francaise, headquartered in Paris, is an international organisation that aims to promote the French language and culture around the world. The Jamaican office started in 1956.
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Pelican Soaring that type of focus in mind. This initiative therefore presents an opportunity for Caribbean islands to pursue an additional option in strengthening their resilience to climate change and natural disasters. The partners of the Frontlines Cities and Islands initiative are ICLEI and the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA). ICLEI is an international agency promoting sustainable urban development through the actions of local governments and organisations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. GLISPA promotes action to build resilient and sustainable island communities by inspiring leadership, catalysing commitments and facilitating collaboration for all islands. The recently concluded COP23 was viewed as an opportunity to build on the Paris Agreement of 2015. It was held in Bonn, Germany and chaired by the Pacific island of Fiji. The next meeting, COP24, will be held in Katowice, Poland in December 2018.
UWI alumnus Carlisle Richardson of St. Kitts and Nevis, recently attended the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP23). Carlisle was part of the team that launched the Frontlines Cities and Islands Initiative, as a means of helping islands build resilience to climate change. Frontlines Cities and Islands is a programme for sustainable island and urban development through partnerships between sub-national and city leaders. It addresses a range of issues important to islands including, amongst others: resilience and systems planning, climate change and clean energy, healthy oceans and near-shore coastal fisheries management, resilient infrastructure and innovative finance, ecosystems services for resilience and post disaster recovery, and sustainable tourism. Carlisle noted in his opening remarks of the Frontlines Cities and Islands event that, “We are at the frontlines of climate change, and we are also at the frontlines of climate solutions”. He envisions “partnerships through the city to city twinning process where cities and communities learn from each other, have discussions about projects, and implement strategies for sustainable development”. Caribbean islands have viewed climate change as a major factor in the destructive 2017 hurricane season and those affected by the hurricanes are focused on “building back better”. The Frontlines Cities and Islands initiative was developed with
Carlisle Richardson is a former Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations and a former United Nations’ Small Island Developing States expert. He graduated from The UWI’s Cave Hill Campus with a BSc (Hons) in Economics and History in 1997, and from The UWI’s Institute of International Relations in St. Augustine, with a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations in 1999.
L-R: Yunus Arikan, Head of ICLEI Global Policy and Advocacy; Steve Gawler, Regional Director of ICLEI Oceania; H.E. Peter Thompson, United Nations Special Envoy on Oceans; the Hon. Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government of Fiji; Perla Cecilia Tun Pech, Mayor of Cozumel, Mexico; H.E. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., President of Palau; Penny Hulse, Councillor of Auckland Council, New Zealand; Franz Marré, Head of the Division of Water, Urban Development and Mobility at BMZ, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; Andrew Mua, Mayor of Honiara, Solomon Islands, and Carlisle Richardson, Special Advisor to ICLEI Oceania on Small Island Developing States. Photo by ICLEI
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The UWI Announces Title of ‘Chancellor Emeritus’ for Sir George Alleyne The UWI has conferred the title of ‘Chancellor Emeritus’ on former Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne. Sir George Alleyne served as Chancellor of The UWI from 2003 to 2010 and then from 2010 to 2017. His years of distinguished service in the office have left an indelible mark in the history of The UWI. In addition to his service as Chancellor, he spent a total of 23 years working at the regional University.
Professors Receive Emeritus Title from The UWI The Emeritus designation generally allows a former holder of an office, upon retirement, to retain the title; in this case, of University Professor. Professor Abiodun Adesiyun retired in September 2017, after building a distinguished and exemplary career as a teacher, researcher, and mentor to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Professor Adesiyun joined the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI St. Augustine Campus in October 1990 as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health/Epidemiology, after a two-year research fellowship at the University of Bonn, Germany. He quickly rose up the ranks to Reader in 1997 and to full Professor in 1999. In the Faculty, he also served as Associate Dean for Research, Deputy Dean, Basic Health Sciences and Acting Dean on several occasions, and held the position of Director, School of Veterinary Medicine from 2006-2014. He is the recipient of several awards including the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (Germany) in 1989-1990, The UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the area of Research in 1999, and the Dean’s Award for Research in 1999 and again in 2002. He has also won numerous research grants as principal or co-investigator from local, regional and international sources worth over US$380,000. He has supervised numerous graduate students (M.Phil. and Ph.D.) at The UWI. Professor Samuel Ramsewak earned his MBBS from The UWI, receiving Honours in Pathology and Microbiology and the Prize in Community Medicine. He subsequently specialised in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sheffield and Manchester in the UK. He joined the Faculty of Medical Sciences as a Senior Lecturer in June 1991 and was promoted up the ranks to Professor of Obstetrics/Gynaecology in Reproductive Medicine in 2002. He also served as Deputy Dean, as Head of Department and as Dean of the Faculty for an eight-year term of office from 2007-2015. Professor Ramsewak has been recognised in Trinidad and Tobago as well as regionally and internationally for his pioneering research, publications and work in the field of Chlamydia and reproductive medicine. Among his awards are the Chaconia Medal of Trinidad and Tobago, a National Honour, for contributions to Medicine in his country, the Commonwealth Research Fellowship (1989), Rhodes Trust Scholarship (1994), American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists award for Distinguished Service (2001), the Annual Research Award of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association and its Scroll of Honour, and the CARICOM Science Award (2017). Professor Patrick Watson was Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies. He also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences from 1995-2003. Professor Watson received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Leeds in 1973 and his L-es-Econ, M-es-Econ, and PhD in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics, from the Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) in 1976, 1977 and 1980 respectively. His areas of expertise are Econometric Modelling of Caribbean phenomena (in particular monetary and fiscal policy), Economic Measurement, Statistical Analysis and Climate Change related issues. His publications include books and articles in the areas of Theoretical and Applied Econometrics and Caribbean Economy. He was also involved in the supervision of PhD and Masters’ theses and projects, and teaching of quantitative economics courses at the graduate level. Professor Watson also served on the Board of Directors of various state enterprises in Trinidad and Tobago, as a Government Senator, on Government committees and conducted executive level training in statistical and econometric analysis.
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UWI CONNECT
UWI PEOPLE Professor Patricia Mohammed is now the Director of Graduate Studies and Research. It is now a full time appointment incorporating the role of the Campus Coordinator with expanded responsibilities to conduct the work of the Board for Graduate Studies and Research at the Campus level, assisting Faculties, Institutes and Centres to develop, expand and achieve graduate education and research goals, and apply The UWI’s systems of quality assurance to programmes of graduate education and research. Mohammed served as Campus Coordinator for Graduate Studies and Research previously and has headed the Institutes for Gender and Development Studies in Jamaica and at St. Augustine for various periods. She has held visiting professorial fellowships at SUNY, Albany, and Rutgers University, New Jersey and was elected President of the Caribbean Studies Association in 2008, serving on its Executive Council for over a decade. Among her awards are Most Outstanding Researcher from the Faculty of Social Sciences, The UWI St. Augustine in 2014 and The UWI Vice-Chancellor’s regional award for Excellence in Research and University Service in 2015. She is a pioneer in the development of the feminist movement in the region and in Gender and Development Studies at The University of the West Indies, and a leading Caribbean scholar with an impressive number of academic and popular publications in the fields of Gender and Cultural Studies. She is currently Project Leader in a research, policy and action project entitled Work/Life Balance and Ageing.
Dr. Hamid Ghany is now the Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the University’s St. Augustine Campus. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Ghany was Senior Lecturer and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at The UWI, St. Augustine (20032012). He has a Bachelor’s degree from The University of the West Indies, an MA from Fordham University, New York, USA, and a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, England. He was the recipient of the national award, Chaconia Medal (Gold), for “long and meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago” in the field of Education on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Trinidad and Tobago in 2012. Among his many publications, he has authored ‘Remapping the Americas’ (2014) with W. Andy Knight and Julián Castro-Rea; ‘Kamal: A Lifetime of Politics, Religion and Culture’ (1996). Professor Stafford A. Griffith is now the Regional Director of the Office of Online Learning (OOL). He heads a newly established office within the Vice-Chancellery at The UWI’s Regional Headquarters. The OOL’s main responsibilities will include leading online programme development and facilitating all requests for approval of online programmes from all campuses of The UWI. It is to maximise the Open Campus’ governance, structures, strategies and integration within the wider UWI eco-system. Expanding access is one of the three pillars in The UWI’s new strategic plan (Triple A Strategy 20172022). As the University continues to work toward its goal of at least one university graduate in each household in the Caribbean, equipped to meet the needs of their communities and the wider region, enhancing The UWI’s distance and online learning capacities is crucial in achieving this goal. Online Learning will allow the further development and expansion of the online learning opportunities provided by The UWI to larger numbers of learners throughout the Caribbean, the Caribbean Diaspora and the global community. Grace Jackson is the new Director of Sport effective of September 30, 2017 at The UWI St. Augustine. A track and field Olympian, Jackson won silver in the 200m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Games and competed in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. She also won gold in the 4x400m relay at the 1989 World Games. She was Jamaica’s Sportswoman of the Year in 1986 and 1988. In 1989 she was awarded the Order of Distinction (OD) by the Government of Jamaica along with several other prestigious awards. She was formerly at The UWI Mona where she held the position of Sports Development Director. Before this, she held the position of Student Services and Development Manager, Sports from 1998 to 2009 also at the Mona campus. She graduated with a BA in Accounting from Alabama, Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1982 and then completed a MA in Computer Science at Queens College in 1987. In 2007, she graduated from the United States Sports Academy, Mobile Alabama with a Master of Sports Science and Sports Management.
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Inaugural Open Campus Pelican Award In October 2017, the inaugural Open Campus Pelican Award was presented in Grenada, to two outstanding Governors General - H.E. Dame Cecile La Grenade of Grenada and H.E. Sir Samuel Tapley Seaton of St. Kitts and Nevis - both UWI alumni, who were delighted to accept their award. They were recognised based on their accomplishments and contributions to their nation.
Presented by the Director of Alumni Relations
AFUWI Gala
Presented by the Open Campus Principal
2018 Ann-Marie Grant is pleased with the success of the Gala.
From left: Marcia Erskine, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and Lady Beckles celebrate with Awardee CC Pounder and AFUWI Board Member.
Grenadian Yvette Noel-Schure was surprised and delighted to receive her award from celebrity Maxwell.
Marlon James (centre) who copped two awards, celebrating with The UWI Chancellor Robert Bermudez (third left), Dr. Gerald White Davis, President, UWIAA NY (left) and others.
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From left: Trinidadian Dr. Hazel Carter and Ambassador Courtney Rattray (Jamaican) with Ambassador Missouri Sherman-Peter (Bahamian).
UWI CONNECT
Alumni Ambassadors Receive Chevening Scholarships
Open Campus Ambassadors Receive Their Pins
UWI STAT is extremely proud of two Alumni Ambassadors who have just received 2018 Chevening Scholarships: Dr. Nicole Nation and Sherry Perrier! Nicole will be pursuing a Masters in Public Health at the University of Sheffield and Sherry will be pursuing a Masters in Finance and Management at Cranfield University, beginning in September. Kudos to them both!
VM UWI STAT Mixer Mr. Courtney Campbell, UWI STAT Mona Corporate Champion and President & CEO of the Victoria Mutual Building Society hosted the Corps giving support with a networking reception designed to enhance their skills and reward their hard work!
L-R: Mrs. Wanda Reid-Beckles, Open Campus UWI STAT Ambassador from Barbados; Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington, Campus Alumni Officer for the Open Campus and Mr. Nickson Barry, UWI STAT Ambassador from St. Lucia together after Sandra presented them with their Letters of Appointment and UWI STAT pins.
At a special reception for The UWI 70th and Open Campus 10th Anniversaries hosted by H.E. Dame Cecile LaGrenade, new Open Campus Ambassador Mr. Terol Jackasal received his pin. He celebrates here with Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington (left) and UWIAA Grenada Chapter Contact Mrs. Judy McCutcheon.
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Book Corner “Cricket Without a Cause” The record of Windies international cricket performance is extraordinary. No other nation has dominated all three formats of international cricket – Test, ODI and T20. Test teams in the last quarter of the 20th century seemed invincible. All competitors were humbled, humiliated and put to the sword. Then it all fell apart. At the turn of the 21st century, Windies were knocked from the pinnacle of Test and thrown to the basement. The collapse from ‘awesome to awful’ is considered a mystery in the annals of modern sport and popular performance culture. Public and academic discourses rage in the West Indies and everywhere the game is played and followed. There is rage as experts seek reasons for the ruin. In this monograph, Professor Hilary Beckles, cricketer, university academic and former West Indies Cricket Board Director, turns another page. He measures the temperature of inflamed Caribbean emotions and assesses the turbulence caused by new global policy promotions. The passages of pundits are assembled along with the research of experts to produce an interpretation that speaks as much to the mentality of administrators as it does to the economic priorities and politics of players. Outcomes on field of play are interfaced with incomes beyond the boundary. The result is a book that captures the crisis of West Indian post-Independence society and economy that has ruptured and sold the soul of the Windies game.
The UWI to Receive Ambassador Dudley Thompson’s Papers A prized collection of papers belonging to the late Jamaican Pan-Africanist, politician and diplomat, Ambassador Dudley Thompson, was donated to The University of the West Indies at a ceremony on March 14, 2018 at the University’s Regional Headquarters in Jamaica. The presentation was made by Mrs. Cecile Eistrup-Thompson, widow of Ambassador Thompson. The collection will initially be housed at The UWI Mona Campus Library, and featured as a special public exhibition from March 16 to April 18, 2018 at the Main Library. They will eventually be transferred to the Centre for Reparation Research (CRR) at The UWI. Ambassador Dudley Thompson (1917-2012) is remembered primarily for the role he played in Kenya’s modern history. It was Ambassador Thompson’s role as a friend, lawyer and Pan-Africanist that helped to secure a team of international lawyers to defend Jomo Kenyatta (1894-1978), African statesman and nationalist. Kenyatta was charged with leading a rebellion by the Mau Mau fighters, mainly drawn from Kenya's major ethnic group, against the British colonisers. Though the team secured by Ambassador Thompson was not successful in acquitting Kenyatta, it brought international attention and pressure to bear on Kenya’s political situation. Eventually Kenyatta was released and moved on to pursue his political career, becoming the first prime minister and then first president of independent Kenya. Ambassador Thompson became one of the most eminent lawyers in the Caribbean and also held several portfolios as a government minister in Jamaica.
UWI PRESS
The UWI Press celebrates its 25th Anniversary from October 2017 - October 2018 with the theme “Preserving Caribbean Heritage through Publishing”. It will support alumni by becoming a Pelican Perks Partner and will offer a 25% discount. The Press will also donate 5 per cent from book sales which come through The UWI alumni and The UWI Press partnership towards student scholarships on the four campuses, courtesy of the UWI Alumni Association and administered by the Institutional Advancement Division at The UWI. Visit www.uwipress.com
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“Poetics of Geography” Poetics of Geography is a collection inspired by the 50th anniversary of establishment of the first Geography programme of The University of the West Indies in 1966, created by Cecille DePass and first published in 2017 in an electronic version, supported by Hilary Hickling. Part 6, Are we there yet? Life after UWI, students of the 1960s and 1970s recall the impact of Geography – and of the Geography Department at Mona - on their lives. This interview of Mike Morrissey by the editor is one of those recollections. For more information on this publication, contact Dr. Cecille DePass, Professor Emeritus, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, depassc@ezpost.com
Excerpts from a conversation with Mike Morrissey Cecille DePass: Mike, to begin our conversation, let’s hear your memories of coming to Jamaica and becoming a Jamaican - and Caribbean - citizen! How did that happen? Mike: The Geography Department transformed my life, Cecille. But what led me there at all? My undergraduate years were in what was then called “Welsh Wales” the University College of Wales, in Aberystwyth. English-born of Irish Morrissey’s, I had been brought up on the right of Ireland to freedom from England. Plaid Cymru, the independence movement for Wales, was very active in my university years. Nonetheless when I applied for a teaching job in Jamaica, I had no idea that I would not return to Britain to live. It was merely an opportunity to see more of the world. I had never flown in a plane, so opted for the sea voyage in 1968 to Jamaica in the SS Golfito, a banana boat which carried 80 passengers. I began teaching at York Castle High School at a time that ‘Black Power’ was in the air (Browns Town was a centre of radical activity). Perhaps because of my rebellious Irish background, I was not unsympathetic to the cause and - without intending to - integrated into the life of rural Jamaica, (including, being a supervisor in the 1970 Population Census). Beyond Jamaica, I explored the region in every school holiday. In my first two years, I visited all the British and Dutch West Indian islands, sailing there and back on the Federal Maple and Federal Palm. Flew to Haiti (where I spent a day in Papa Doc’s prison in Port au Prince); visited Mexico, Venezuela and Curacao. In hindsight, it seems that I had quickly become intoxicated with the Geography and cultures of Jamaica and the Caribbean. I did not consider a visit to the United States for several more years! By 1972, I voted in a Jamaican election (as a resident Commonwealth Citizen), and two years later I was registered as a citizen of Jamaica. Through my work over the decades, I have contributed to the development of education in various ways throughout the Caribbean, and even lived for extended periods in Trinidad, Barbados, Saint Maarten, Belize and Dominica. ________________________
Professor Michael Morrissey joined the graduate programme of the Geography Department at Mona in October 1970. Today he lives in Jakarta, Indonesia and works globally on the provision of educational opportunities to marginalised children. Dr. Cecille DePass interviewed Mike, as he has always been known, concerning, the contributions of the Geography Department to his life and career. Mike is also the UWIAA South East Asia Contact.
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UWI CONNECT
Specialised Online Course in Transformational Leadership
UWI O OPEN PEN CAMPUS CAMPUS
BECOME A
Transformational
LEADER! With our Online Certificate Course
The UWI Open Campus Responds to Regional Leadership Challenge: Launches specialised online course in Transformational Leadership to achieve 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This groundbreaking online course in Transformational Leadership will equip Caribbean leaders and technical managers in the public and private sectors, as well as civil society and development organisations to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for the region. Under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), The UWI Open Campus partnered with PEMANDU Associates of Malaysia, to develop the Certificate Course on Transformational Leadership to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which commenced on January 22, 2018. Other partners for the course include the Caribbean Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Transformational
Leadership to Achieve the SDGs in Developing States
www.open.uwi.edu/apply Apply Now! www.open.uwi.edu/apply January 22, 2018 and begin January Participants Participants will earn 4 Continuing Education Education Units (CEUs) for 40 contact hours of study. study.
For details, please visit the course page at www.open.uwi.edu/cert-sdg OR email: marketing@open.uwi.edu Online | On site on demand | www.open.uwi.edu
Regional Centre for Research Excellence Launched at The UWI The Centre is a collaborative effort of the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR); the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at The UWI, and Fox Chase Cancer Centre, based in the United States. The group of institutions received a grant of US$250,000 from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Washington DC, for the establishment of the research centre. Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI, Dr. Tomlin Paul, indicated that the Centre will begin locally as a network of individuals carrying out significant work, and at some time in the near future, an actual centre for research will be built. Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor, Graduate Studies and Research at The UWI, Professor Dale Webber, pointed out that the network and future research centre fit perfectly into the strategic direction of The UWI. “It will not only allow us greater alignment with individuals of like mind who do significant work in the area of medical research but it will also give us the opportunity to contribute to increasing the development goals of the Caribbean,� explained Professor Webber. Key partner in the project, the CAIHR (formerly Tropical Medicine Research Institute), was established in 1999 with an objective to increase the output of research in major areas affecting the health of people across the region, and also to increase the number of trained research scientists working in the regional health industry. The Fox Chase Cancer Centre was represented by Deputy Director, Chief Academic and Administrative Officer, Dr. J. Robert Beck.
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In Celebration of Their Lives Sir Kenneth Stuart, Barbadian born, helped establish The UWI and worked against racism and health inequalities and held both clinical and academic posts. Thanks to his work two conditions, a previously unknown medical disorder: acute toxic hypoglycaemia, caused by eating unripe ackee, as well as veno-occlusive disease of the liver, which was killing Jamaican children who were drinking bush tea; were eliminated. In 1966 he became The UWI’s first West Indian Professor, and subsequently Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He moved with his family to London, UK in 1976 and served as medical adviser to the Commonwealth Secretariat. He was knighted in 1977 and was a Board member of the Wellcome Trust and the World Health Organisation. He was a founder Trustee and Patron of the charity Students Partnership Worldwide (now known as Restless Development), and a member of the academic board of St. George’s University, Grenada. He published his last paper which focused on his passion regarding reducing global health inequalities in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2011.
Dr. Edrick Henderson Gift was seconded to The UWI in 1973 as Lecturer at the OAS-funded In-Service Diploma in Education Course in the School of Education. He trained as an Elementary School Teacher at Teachers’ College in Port of Spain graduating in 1958 with a Teacher’s Diploma. He then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree (History Honours) and the Diploma in Education from The UWI. His Masters and PhD in Education were obtained from the University of Ottawa. He was awarded tenure and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in October 1980. He was a Section Leader, Vice-Dean of the Faculty, Dean, University Dean and Head, Educational Research and Development Section. He retired from the University in August 1997, but returned as a part-time Lecturer in 2001 and continued to supervise graduate students until 2007. Dr. Keith McKenzie, Paediatrician and Cardiologist extraordinaire, was one of the pioneering core of 33 students who became the first-ever undergraduate class at the brand new University College of the West Indies (UCWI). He entered the UCWI in 1948, graduated in October 1954 with his medical degree, and joined the staff of the Kingston Pubic Hospital two months later as House Officer. He was an ardent Taylor Hall supporter and loved to teach both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was Director of the Heart Foundation and one of the founding members of the Paediatric Association of Jamaica and a Past President. He was the longest serving Paediatrician at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
President George Maxwell Richards TC, CMT, PhD and Emeritus Professor, was a Chemical Engineer by training and served as the fourth Principal of the St. Augustine Campus (1985-1996) as well as the fourth President of Trinidad and Tobago (2003 to 2013). He was also the Deputy Principal and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at St. Augustine and was a Carnival fete lover and cultural connoisseur. “He was also our master engineer extraordinaire who built with consummate ease, lasting bridges across persons and places in conflict so as to enable our common humanity to rise and shine” according to The UWI Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. His deep rooted ‘Caribbeanness’ allowed The UWI to become a great community and University. “His legacy of social engagement, collegial compassion, and institutional leadership will endure even when the music stops.”
Ms. Edith Bellot served as Resident Tutor in Dominica for 21 years from1984 to her retirement in 2005, anchoring the School’s evolution from the Extra Mural Department to School of Continuing Studies to the era of technologically enabled distance learning through The UWI Distance Education Centre. Her passion for ensuring that students in Dominica and other parts of the Eastern Caribbean were included in the education revolution led by The UWI is legendary. She was philanthropic without fanfare and caring to the point of selfdenial. She built a strong presence of The UWI in the region and also acted as Resident Tutor in St. Kitts and Nevis on several occasions.
Mr. Lowell Hawthorne OD, CD served as Chairman of the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) from 2011 - 2017. As AFUWI Chairman and as a generous benefactor for youth empowerment through education, his impact was deep and far reaching. He was the President and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, USA. He was recognised for his long-standing commitment to supporting education through service, mentorship and the sponsorship of scholarships to The UWI and several other institutions. He was celebrated as one of the AFUWI’s “Caribbean Luminaries” in 2009 and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from The UWI in 2012. In 2005, Mr. Hawthorne received one of Jamaica’s highest national honours, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, for service to Commerce and Community Development.
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UWI CONNECT
In Celebration of Their Lives Mr. Michael Henville was the Co-chair of the UWI Alumni Association Toronto Chapter and was a proud UWI graduate who served unstintingly for many years. His dedication ensured that the UWIAA Toronto Chapter continued to engage graduates in that region. He and his team hosted an annual luncheon which brought graduates together and allowed the Chapter to donate an annual scholarship to students of all four UWI campuses. He was a “true Pelican” and continued to celebrate his Caribbean heritage and support his Alma Mater throughout his life.
Postgraduate Subcommittee of the School of Education, then became the Deputy Dean of the School of Education. He also served as Deputy Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Faculty of Humanities and Education. He retired in 2003 and then continued his service, mentoring and supervising many students as a part-time lecturer from 2005 to 2009. Dr. Veerappa Gouripur was a Lecturer in Pharmacology and Therapeutics. He also held the position of Coordinator and Lecturer for the Integrated Basic Health Sciences Programme for the Faculty of Medical Sciences. He remained a committed Lecturer until his retirement in 2017.
Mrs. Margaret Barrett was a proud graduate of The UWI and will be remembered for her commitment to the UWI Alumni Association Florida Chapter which she served as President and Secretary, as well as for her many acts of generosity and humble service. She also always helped tremendously with the American Foundation for The UWI activities which were held in Florida, especially in recent times with the JazzMatazz event. She was a stalwart of the UWIAA-FL, and a scholarship has been established by the Chapter in her name.
Mr. Peter Baboolal Singh worked on the St. Augustine Campus from 1999 to 2013 in various capacities including General Maintenance Assistant, Field Assistant and Office Attendant. He retired from the Department of Chemistry in 2013 as Office Attendant. Mr. Randolph Hezekiah received his Bachelor’s degree from the University College of the West Indies, Mona, in 1960 and began his academic career as a Lecturer in French in 1970. He served as Head of the Department of French and Spanish and was also Vice Dean in the then, Faculty of Arts and General Studies from 1976 to 1978. He served as Deputy Dean Student Affairs in the Faculty of Humanities and Education. He specialised in the works of Franco-Caribbean authors, publishing on René Maran and Joseph Zobel, amongst others and was sought after as an interpreter for conferences locally and regionally.
Dr. John Campbell of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, Department of History earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Philosophy degrees in History at The UWI. He went on to receive a second MPhil and his PhD from Cambridge University, UK. He started his career at the Mona Campus and in 2004 joined the St. Augustine Campus. He was Senior Lecturer in the Department of History and served as Deputy Dean (Distance and Outreach) in the Faculty of Humanities and Education. There he transformed the foundation course Caribbean Civilisation. He was appointed Regional Coordinator for Caribbean Civilisation and was instrumental in the University-wide delivery of this course as part of the “ONE UWI” initiative. He specialised in contemporary Caribbean civilization and culture, published widely and was the recipient of several awards including the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.
Mr. Harold Wall was the Senior Planning Officer at the University Office of Planning. He joined The UWI in 2010 and in October 2016 was assigned as Head of the Strategy, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit which is responsible for the overall development, implementation and management of The UWI’s 2017-2022 strategic plan, the Triple A Strategy. Dr. Dawn Phillip of the Department of Life Sciences was a double alumna of The UWI St. Augustine, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Botany and Masters in Zoology - Fish Biology. She then completed her PhD in Ecology at St. Andrews University, Scotland in 1998. She served as Assistant Lecturer from 2001 to 2002, was promoted to Lecturer and was also Chairperson of the Department of Life Sciences’ Staff-Student Liaison Committee, Member of the Faculty of Science and Technology Entrance Committee and Coordinator of the Department of Life Sciences’ Research. She was an active researcher in Fisheries Biology and Management; Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation; and Environmental Biology. She published widely in international journals and was lead author of two books.
Professor Emeritus Harry Orville Phelps joined the University College of the West Indies in 1961 as Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering. He then became a Senior Lecturer and retired in 1994 as a Professor. During his tenure, his positions included Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and member of the St. Augustine Campus Council. He was the Public Orator for the St. Augustine Campus for 20 years and was also Chairman of the Publication Board, West Indian Journal of Engineering. As Professor Emeritus, he was re-appointed as a Tutor from 1994 to 1997. He was also awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) from the Government of Trinidad & Tobago. Dr. Ewart Taylor lectured at all levels from the Bachelor of Education to postgraduate programmes, specialising in Educational Administration. He was the Chairman of the
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UWI CONNECT Mr. Francis Salina of the Department of Life Sciences joined The UWI family in 1967, as a General Maintenance Assistant at Milner Hall of Residence, The UWI St. Augustine. In 1985, he was promoted to Senior Maintenance Assistant and continued in that capacity until his retirement in 2003.
Mr. Narendra Maharajh was a Facility Attendant at The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre. A dedicated cricketer and senior cricket coach, he was very well known in cricketing circles, receiving certifications from both the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and the West Indies Cricket Board. During his tenure, he was a cricket coach at the 2009 UWI Inter-Campus Games and led the St. Augustine student cricket team to its first major win in recent times.
Mr. Rohit Mohan of the Department of Facilities Management joined The UWI family in 1979, as a Power Motor Operator in what was then the Works Department. On March 1, 2013, Mr. Mohan was promoted to Grounds Foreman at the Division of Facilities Management. He retired in 2014.
Ms. Gene Francis was first employed at the Faculty of Engineering as a Clerical Assistant from July to August, 1971. She then served at the Computer Centre as Clerical Assistant and later as a Secretary. She left The UWI to work in the public sector and returned to The UWI, St. Augustine in 1993 to assume the post of Administrative Assistant in the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Medical Sciences. She obtained a Master’s degree in Government and an Executive MBA from the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. In 1997, she was appointed Assistant Registrar (Human Resources) in the Office of the Campus Registrar, gaining tenure in 2005. In 2016 she became the Senior Assistant Registrar Human Resources and retired in 2017.
Dr. Matthias Antoine was Senior Lecturer in the Department of Child and Adolescent Health and was an exemplar of child advocacy. He was Programme Director of the Doctor of Medicine (Paediatrics) and served the Department for thirty-two years. He led in the development of the Neonatal Special Care Unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the DM Paediatrics training programme. Mr. Wayne Andrew Prime of the Campus Security Services Department started at The UWI St. Augustine as a Casual Labourer in the then Works Department in 1997. He then became a Watchman and was subsequently promoted to the role of Estate Constable. He continued as a member of Security Services until he took early retirement in 2016. He was often stationed in the Lloyd Braithwaite Building and is remembered by students, staff and faculty as being thoughtful, warm and helpful.
Ms. Wendy Lawrence, of the Faculty of Science and Technology began working at The UWI in 2006 as a temporary Lecturer in the then, Faculty of Science and Agriculture. In September 2009, she was appointed Coordinator of the Master of Science Occupational Environmental Safety and Health programme in the Department of Chemistry and helped to build a strong foundation for the programme. She graduated from The UWI St. Augustine with a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Philosophy in Agriculture and also received a Masters of Business Administration from Henley Management College.
Mr. Winston Johnson of the National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago, Department of Life Sciences started working at The UWI St. Augustine Campus in 1972 at the then Cocoa Research Unit, before joining the National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago, Department of Life Sciences, as a Research Technician in 1980. He worked there until his retirement in 2012. During his tenure he received an international Diploma in Herbarium Techniques from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. He also co-authored with the Curator, the publication: The Palm Book of Trinidad and Tobago including the Lesser Antilles. He will be remembered by the countless students, researchers and visitors he assisted over his long tenure at the Herbarium.
Ms. Collette Caesar, Assistant Registrar, Recruitment, Admissions and Registration at The UWI Open Campus began working at The UWI St. Augustine Campus at the Department of Mathematics, then the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science in 1999, as a Clerical Assistant. She continued to work in this capacity at different departments including the Departments of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies and Modern Languages and Linguistics and the Office of the Campus Registrar until 2006. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from The UWI in 2006 and became Assistant Registrar at The UWI Open Campus in 2016, where she gained the respect, admiration and support of her team and other colleagues.
Mrs. Vilna McDonald attended The Mico Teachers College and later earned a Bachelor of Education degree from The University of the West Indies, Mona. She migrated to the United States of America and worked at St. John’s Hospital, Queens, New York as a Nursing Assistant and Surgical Technician. She relocated to Midlothian, Virginia in 2005 with her daughter Amoy and grandson, Kamali. She immediately joined First Baptist Church of Midlothian which she served faithfully for 13 years and became President of the Prayer Ministry.
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