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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER, 2016
(Part 2 of Chancellor’s Graduation Message from page 3)
The public is looking more and more to universities to
produce these innovations and new technologies to enhance
economic growth. I hear sometimes that since governments fund
universities they should be considered like a pump which having
been primed with people and money will automatically produce
economic growth. This concept of the role of the university
extends even to the economy as a whole. At the start of the last
economic recession in the United States of America the famous
Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter posited that the
universities had a responsibility to pull the country out of recession
and some writers bought into this view.
Fortunately, history showed that this view was, if not
incorrect, certainly not consistent with the developments that
unfolded. Of course one might take the view that the designers of
the recovery were all university trained, but then the same could be
said of those who caused the recession in the first place. But this
line of reasoning is often less relevant here, as much of the recession
was not of our making. The complexities and idiosyncrasies of
economic recessions and the time needed for definitive results
are such that there is doubt about the capacity of universities to
be the prime actors in this area. Of course, a university can assist,
academics can contribute their expertise, but they are not the only
ones with credentials in this area.
The pertinence of the University in technology development
and innovation is particularly relevant at this campus in view of
the intention of creating an Innovation Park. I know that the
Principal has special experience and expertise in this area and all
those institutions which go this route are no doubt buoyed by the
example of Google and the Internet – technologies that changed
the world and had their genesis in universities. I have spoken
here before of the concept of the triple helix of innovation and
the interaction among the University, business and government.
The role of the government in terms of regulation and facilitation
is clear but the roles of business and the university and especially
their interaction is less clear.
I have always contended that it is unrealistic to lay the prime
responsibility and I stress responsibility on universities for the
development of the technologies that can be engines of a country’s
economic growth. First, without the other two strands of the
helix, there will be no progress. Without government investment
in research and development and without the provisions of the
necessary regulations, all the good ideas from universities will
come to naught. It has been suggested that it is the flux of ideas
coming from groups of students working in incubators, with the
freedom to explore and experiment, which make for the flow
of innovations. But without dedicated staff which allows for
supervision and continuity there will be no innovations to be
commercialised. Let me here express an old bias. I believe that
the best university academics are those involved in teaching and
research and I have always been uncomfortable with academic
advancement solely on the basis of good teaching or solely on the
basis of good research.
The other limitation which has been brought home to me
very forcibly is the lack of venture capital in the Caribbean. I have
been told that it is a chicken and egg phenomenon and that when
there is a plethora of innovations then venture capital will appear.
This is to be proven here.
There is no doubt that as public funding decreases,
universities are depending more on business for programmatic
support as opposed to provision of venture capital. That has not
been a major issue to date here in the Caribbean as most business
support for the University has been either philanthropic or in
fulfillment of corporate social responsibility. But I believe it can
grow and is growing. In some countries there is disquiet about
the influence of business, apart from the ethical considerations of
conflict of interest. There is concern that business directed research
leads to universities ignoring other than business concerns, with
the result of the atrophy of other parts of the institution which are
not seen as contributing materially to the business bottom line. In
addition, because of competitiveness, there may be limitations of
the discharge of the normal academic pursuits of publishing and
having work reviewed by peers.
I believe the role of the University in this is clear. It is to
produce the ideas and through research the formulations for
products and procedures that have commercial possibility.
The University will not develop a finished product that goes
immediately to the market. Indeed, much of innovation is in
the modification of existing technology. I always remind others
that one of the most revolutionary technologies – the plow had
its origins in a simple hand-held pointed stick several thousand
years ago.
But there are several advantages to active collaboration with
business which I hope our University will foster. It is not only for
the financial support, but in some cases the focus of business on
the possible may have a positive impact on the kind of technology
research which the University carries out. Unfortunately, the
university if it is not careful can see its research becoming what
is fashionable at the time and in a field which is well explored.
However, no University can ever escape the responsibility for
producing information that is relevant for the future, as it is obvious
that no one can predict the kinds of information and knowledge
that will be of critical use in the development of the technologies
of tomorrow. There are some approaches to active collaboration
with business which the University may consider. One which
could reduce the inter-business competition is for the University
to foster consortia of businesses which come together to support
research jointly. I am sure Professor Copeland is fully seized of
these considerations as the Campus moves towards increasing its
emphasis and work in innovation and technology development.
Another change which our University must face is with
regard to the internationalisation of post-secondary education.
It is argued that good universities have always been international,
but there is a new urgency, given the speed and extent of our
interconnectedness. There is competition for international talent
which is mobile and we in the University have to struggle to be
competitive in attracting and keeping talent. We also have to be
diligent in avoiding academic xenophobia cloaked in the garb of
national preference. We see the trend to the development of branch
campuses and for example I counted seven American university
campuses in Qatar. I am pleased to see the Vice-Chancellor
appointing a Pro Vice-Chancellor with specific responsibilities
in this area and note the Suny/UWI Center in New York which
was launched recently. There is no reason why this aspect of
internationalisation should be the exclusive province of the large
rich universities. Finally, there is an aspect which I know takes
place here of research cooperation across national borders. I am
comfortable that UWI is well placed to confront and take advantage
of this change in spite of the growing criticism that this approach
stems uniquely from the commercialisation of education that is
favored by international trade agreements.
But regardless of any changes that may come, our University
will always celebrate excellence, and I should note that 4 of
the recent Vice-Chancellor’s awards for excellence went to St.
Augustine. These were Dr Farid Youssef, Teaching; Professor
Jayaraman, Research; Jessel Murray-University service and
Public service and the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering. But excellence does not come only in terms of
academic performance. There is excellence of character, and
resilience of spirit which I like to hold up from time to time as
examples of the courage of our students.
This is the story of
Sanchez Mangaroo
. His mother died
when he was four years old and he recalls seeing his father only
once. He started school later than his peers and worked at several
jobs – selling on the street and coaching fellow students. He gained
entrance to Civil Engineering and took advantage of the support
systems provided by the Campus, worked at a variety of jobs
on and off-campus and still found time to participate in extra-
curricular activities and today he is graduating with a degree in
civil engineering and is starting his own design and production
company.
ChristyWalters
began her career here pursuing a Certificate
in Public Administration which she obtained with distinction.
She was admitted to the Psychology programme but just before
her second year final examination her house was burned to the
ground and she and her family escaped with the clothes on their
backs. She persisted and obtained a Bursary and in spite of her own
difficulties led a successful drive to provide books for prisoners.
Today she is graduating with First-class honours in psychology.
Tonya Thomas
, a law student was doing well in class and
was on track to do well in exams but four weeks before exams her
mother who was her main support committed suicide. She tells
that the day after her mother’s death she went to class because she
needed a level of normalcy. She declined the offer to postpone
her exams which she took and graduated with First-class honours.
Jameel Sahadath
was the primary caregiver in his family in
spite of suffering with severe depression. However, at age 37 he was
deemed to be sufficiently stable to enter the University. In spite of
his mental health problems and problems of maintaining his GPA
he graduated with an upper second-class degree.
Khalil Cassie
shows that an institution has to be run by rules,
but it can also have heart. He was admitted to pursue a degree in
Physics but was required to withdraw because his performance was
poor because he became an addicted substance abuser. However,
after joining New Life Ministries he was rehabilitated and was
readmitted. In spite of excellent performance it was difficult to
erase the poor initial grades, but as a result of extremely hard work
and special consideration he is graduating today and this comment
was made by one of his lecturers. “Life is about second chances
and it is UWI’s role to lend a helping hand to willing students to
pull them up so that they in turn may turn other lives around for
the betterment of the entire society.”
Nyoshia Cain
is a first year student in Social Sciences. She
made it to the Rio Para Olympics and won a bronze medal in
the 100meters. She is also a part of the University family as her
mother works here.
Matthew Theroulde
is special to me. He has been working
here for 23 years and for the past 11 of these has been my driver.
He is absolutely dependable and in 11 years has never been late.
He decided to enter University and today is graduating with a
Bachelor’s degree.
You young people will be a part of tomorrow’s changes, but
amidst all the changes I hope you hold fast to the notion that much
of what you are or will become is due to your experience here. I
hope you will realise increasingly that this period of growing up
in a relatively protected environment has been indispensable for
your personal development. For this reason I trust you will always
support your University in word and deed. That is the only way we
can be sure that there will be similar educational experiences for
future Caribbean citizens. This is a part of being a good alumnus
and I trust that you will be good alumni and always show your
Pelican pride.
I include your loved ones in this call for continued support
toThe University of theWest Indies. I hope they are satisfied with
the product of your few short years here.
I thank you.
Sir George Alleyne,
Chancellor of The University of theWest Indies
Guest Editorial by the Chancellor of The University of the West Indies
Thetimesareachanging
Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne
