by Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie
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That we have been able to build consensus on a way forward for The University of the West Indies is a genuine achievement.
Identifying the key objectives to be achieved over the next few years has provided clarity and focus; but the real test is always implementation – crafting action strategies supported by infrastructure, resources and good management to achieve each of our priorities, while meeting the demands of our key performance indictors by 2012 through effective execution. This is the real challenge.
The 2007-12 Strategic Plan, now in its second year of implementation, is an ambitious plan and management of the execution process is of paramount importance. Much has been achieved over the last year. There has been a major thrust across the University system in curriculum renewal addressing issues such as learning outcomes, modifying, upgrading and strengthening existing courses and introducing new courses including new minors and majors and market-driven programmes.
There has been a sharp focus on improvement of pedagogy and in quality enhancement in teaching and learning generally. For example, a certificate programme to train and certify faculty in university-level teaching has been introduced and the campuses’ Instructional Development Units (IDUs) are being strengthened to make such programmes possible.
The learning environment is being constantly enhanced with technological support and through improvements in teaching methodology. A recently conducted survey of students completing their first year of study at UWI reveals a healthy satisfaction with teaching and learning quality throughout the University system. Other positive developments focused on teaching and learning effectiveness include on-going construction of high quality teaching and learning spaces on all Campuses, strengthening of online library facilities, enhanced and expanded computer facilities, increased integration of software in courses and a recognition of the need to design and structure opportunities for out of the classroom learning.
Moreover, efforts at harmonization and integration at Faculty level have intensified through structured cross campus meetings of similar faculties, and other initiatives to strengthen integration of our regional university through university-wide engagement have been pursued by such key institutions as the Registry, Bursary, Information Technology, and the International Offices to name a few.
Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation have also received significant attention over the last year. A Research Methods course has now become standard to build student competence at graduate level; Quality Assurance resources dedicated to improving quality at graduate level have been strengthened. Clear steps have been identified and are being pursued to strengthen graduate programmes, address quality issues, manage throughput and to expand graduate study and research at UWI that will impact on development of the region.
The issues of relevance of University research and the development of sharply focused clusters of research are playing a major role in guiding the research agenda of the Campuses. The Mona Campus has sought to develop multi-faculty and multi-disciplinary policy clusters in areas of immediate relevance to the Jamaican society. These include such areas as Crime, Violence and Security, Energy, Health Care and Education. At St. Augustine significant funding has strengthened the research effort in such areas as Family Development and Childhood Research, Diabetes Prevention and Management and relevant work is being pursued in identified priority clusters such as Biotechnology, Food Production, Food Security and Food Safety, Crime and Security, Alternate Energy Strategies and Environmental Resource Management.
Reaching out to the underserved communities has also received a boost through establishment of the Open Campus which held its inaugural Council Meeting in March 2008. The Open Campus is currently offering 123 courses and 39 programmes through a combination of on-line delivery and on-site tutoring.
While we are encouraged by progress being made we are nonetheless very sanguine about the challenges ahead and mindful of the need to be guided by a mindset which keeps us constantly alert to new opportunities, options and possibilities.
Cave Hill Campus, for instance, is moving ahead to establish a full-fledged Medical School. That Campus is using the gift of additional lands from the State to embark on major capital projects to support Campus growth and expansion and Cave Hill recently capitalized on the World Cup cricket experience to establish the CLR James Cricket Academy.
It is my belief that most of our competitors have surpassed us because they have developed a scientific and research based approach to the game of cricket and have left us behind just relying on our raw talent. This is not to say that we have not regarded the science of the game, but to suggest that we have not relied on this aspect as much as we should. We too are often informed by research that is not conducted on us, by us or for us and, thus, do not always get the desired result.
