News Releases

UWI Lecturers receive FCIB Research grants

For Release Upon Receipt - December 17, 2008

St. Augustine


Two lecturers from the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, have been awarded research grants from the First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB). These grants were given to Professor Patrick Watson, Director, Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies and Dr. Roger Hosein, Lecturer, Department of Economics at the official press conference on Tuesday 16th December, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. on at the Conference Room, New Student Administration Building.     

At the conference, Professor Watson gave a brief overview of his research entitled “Cross-Border Equity Flows in the CARICOM region. He expressed that the principal objective of his work is to determine the nature and extent of cross-border trading in the CARICOM region. After completion Professor Watson’s research is intended to produce recommendations for policy makers.

Dr. Roger Hosein also discussed his current work on the “Oil Boom: Rebuilding a culture of Entrepreneurship and the need for micro-financing in a petroleum rich sub-economy”. Hosein presented empirical data which suggested that the level of productive agricultural and industrial activity is much less in areas where the oil industry is present. He attributed this to people developing a ‘handout mentality’ which prevents them from engaging in entrepreneurial activities. Dr. Hosein intends to provide prospective solutions and policy recommendations for these and other related issues.

Dr. Hamid Ghany, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, chaired the press conference. He noted that the presentation of these awards is part of a wider collaboration between the FCIB and UWI as part of their 2007-2009 Memorandum of Understanding. He also revealed that this initiative is not limited to the St. Augustine Campus, but includes the Mona, Jamaica and Cave Hill, Barbados Campuses and that collectively the research grants amassed a total of US$70,000.

Mr. Ian Chinapoo, Managing Director – Capital Markets, FCIB, expressed his company’s view “that an important contribution can be made to Caribbean development if a research culture is fostered that brings together the interests of academia and practitioners in the banking sector.” Chinapoo closed with a quote that epitomized FCIB’s view on research: “To acquire knowledge, one must study, but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”

For further information, please contact the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Social Sciences at 662-2002 Ext. 2153. 

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