The Faculty of Medical Sciences

About the Programme

This programme was introduced in keeping with the World Health Organisation’s strategic plan for Vision 2020: THE RIGHT TO SIGHT, a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness.

The Optometry programme has been running successfully since 2009 and has produced many cohorts of graduates who are all employed. Our programme is based on a hybrid system of UK and USA courses.

We are also planning and designing a post graduate programme with our foreign partners in the UK and USA.

Locally we are working with the government of Trinidad and Tobago to introduce Optometry services in all the major hospitals and with the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association to develop a Guide Dog protocol, and also treating their low vision clients.

Duration of Study

Four (4) years. This is Full Time only, which includes a clinical intern rotation year, and at the end of which a B.Sc Optometry degree is conferred by the university.

General Requirements

Applicants for admission to this course of study will be required to satisfy the minimum standards for entry to the degree programme as set out by the University Regulations governing matriculation as well as the specific requirements of the Faculty.

Admission Requirements

Special Requirements

Open to applicants who fulfil the following requirements:

BSc Optometry

1. Qualifications for Admission

i.Passes at CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency Level (Grades I and II pre-1998 and Grades I, II, III since 1998) in Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

ii. Passes Physics , one other Science subject viz Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and one (1) other subject at CAPE

(Units I & II)or GCE A’Level or approved equivalent; OR

iii. An appropriate Associate Degree or equivalent certification with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) from a

recognised tertiary level institution; OR

iv. Any other appropriate qualifications and experience acceptable to the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Application Procedure

Visit https://sta.uwi.edu/admissions for instructions on how to apply online or on paper (application fee applies).

Staff

Dr. Kingsley Ekemiri
Head of Unit

Dr. Niall Farnon
Lecturer

Dr. Ngozika Ezinne
Lecturer

Dr. Michael Kwarteng
Lecturer

Mr. Avi Bhagan
Laboratory Technician

Ms. Ebony Waldron Scipio
Secretary

Mrs. Pennola Mitchell-Edmund
Clerical

Ms. Sommer Benjamin
Custodian

Contact Us

For Further Information

Our Secretariat

The UWI Optometry,
Couva Multi-Training Facility,
Level #2,
Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway
COUVA
Ms. Ebony Waldron Scipio (Secretary)
Tel: 1(868) 225-1014 ext 12020
Fax:1(868) 225-1676 | Email: ebony.scipio@sta.uwi.edu  OR STA-FMS.OptometryHead@sta.uwi.edu
Clinic Matters: (868) 225-1018 OR STA-FMS.OptometryClinic@sta.uwi.edu