New Law Dean to Focus on Building Research

Increasing the research output of the Faculty of Law is one of the main areas of focus for new Dean, Professor Eddy Ventose, who assumed the position on 1 August 2021. It is also one of four priority areas outlined in the faculty’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

Professor Eddy Ventose Dean, Faculty of Law, The UWI, Cave Hill Campus s

“To me, that is where our strengths lie - in the quality of our academic programming, and the quality of our research which is focused on Caribbean law. With that focus, I want us to be the focal point for research in anything Caribbean law related. The Faculty of Law has to be the first point of reference for anybody who wants to study and research Caribbean law.”

He will also be focusing on education, and engagement with staff, students and alumni during his four-year term at the helm. In the area of education, Dean Ventose plans to direct efforts on strengthening the curriculum and student experience.

“[We need to ensure that our] methods of teaching assessments are in line with international standards in terms of intra-faculty and faculty-student relations; ensure that students feel that the faculty is an environment where they can express their views in terms of a supporting environment for our members of staff.

“In terms of [external engagement], strengthening and providing a blueprint for the faculty’s engagement with international and regional organisations, with other universities both regionally and internationally and also developing a blueprint for having a sustainable relationship with our alumni,” Professor Ventose stated.

The former Deputy Dean, Graduate Studies and Research

in the Faculty of Law will also be working to increase the number of new students from the Eastern Caribbean.

“We’ve seen a reduction in applications from students in the Eastern Caribbean and the other Caribbean islands. So one of the things we have to focus on is mapping out a very aggressive plan to ensure that we get more students from the Eastern Caribbean. We wish to maintain an international profile … but we are a Caribbean faculty so we have to reflect the regional nature not only in terms of our student population but also in terms of our faculty members as well.” of course, it’s nice to be home as well,” he explained.

Ventose was called to the Bar in Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis, and specialises in Intellectual Property, Administrative Law, Human Rights Law, and Constitutional Law.

He gained regional attention for a case involving a judicial review application which he filed in 2018 against the Chief Electoral Officer in respect of a then existing election policy of the Government of Barbados. The policy sought to restrict persons eligible to vote to only Barbadian nationals and permanent residents, whereas the law provides that citizens

"I want us to be the focal point for research in anything Caribbean law related. The Faculty of Law has to be the first point of reference for anybody who wants to study and research Caribbean law.”

Professor Ventose began his career at Cave Hill in 2006 as a lecturer in law. He was promoted to Professor of Law in 2012, becoming the youngest person in The UWI’s history to be promoted to a personal professorship. He also served as the first Director of the School for Graduate Studies and Research at Cave Hill and as Campus Coordinator for Graduate Studies and Research.

In 2018, Professor Ventose left Cave Hill to sit on the bench of the

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

as a High Court Judge. He returned to the campus in 2020.

“Firstly, I enjoy the engagement of academia and I have done it for a number of years, and I want to return to teaching in that way. And of Commonwealth countries are eligible to vote.

“…in other words their policy was contrary to the Law of Barbados as stated in Section 7 of the Representation of the People’s Act. So, I challenged the policy in the High Court and it went all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

He noted that similar laws also exist in other Caribbean countries: “Most Commonwealth Caribbean countries have a law that provides for the voting of Commonwealth citizens in national elections, [for example] Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent. Some countries have the requirement of how long you live in the country,” he stated.

As the Faculty of Law continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Professor Ventose has high praise for the Bachelor of Law degree and the faculty’s contribution to research in Caribbean law over the years. He is confident that the next 50 years will produce even better quality graduates and further raise the faculty’s profile in the area of research. l