Message from the Principal: Research brings creative knowledge
 It is all too common to hear complaints that funding for research is misdirected if it turns out that the findings confirm what might be considered general knowledge. Many researchers will tell you that this betrays a fundamental misunderstanding about the purpose and value of their work.
What makes the difference between what might be called ‘street’ knowledge and methodical research data is the capacity to use that information in a systematic, thoughtful and meaningful way. For instance, it is not enough to declare that the country is besieged by violent crime; that is the kind of knowledge that should initiate an investigation into why that is so and what can be done about it.
Without accurate data and analysis, there can be no proper planning or interventions in matters relevant to policy-making. Initiatives to bring about change cannot be designed based on hearsay.
The researcher’s lot is always fraught with the possibility that the research may have yielded results that do not sit well with the public or with industry or with special interest groups but it should not cause a serious scientist to detour from the path to knowledge.
Recently our Campus invited tertiary education specialist, Dr Jamil Salmi, to be part of the Distinguished Open Lecture Series, and as he described challenges faced by Universities such as ours worldwide, we recognised those landscapes immediately. Yet, by bringing a vision that had been calibrated by extensive study of these environments, he was able to offer relevant and nuanced solutions that were creative and feasible.
At the heart of all these transformative moves, Dr Salmi insists that research and knowledge have to be the driving force for successful change. Economies have radically transformed their wealth and viability by focusing on competitive strategies. Dr Salmi discussed University frameworks for those transformations: quality, relevance, financial sustainability, institutional diversification and flexibility to change. He noted three fundamentals to build a leading institution; the ability to attract talent, abundant resources and good governance. Challenging yes, but at the UWI, and for the future of the Caribbean, we must continue to work at achieving the optimal mix of talent, resources and governance to support our strategic vision.
These are all elements of the UWI’s strategic plan, and in the case of the St. Augustine Campus, balancing talent, resources and governance is what underpins our continuous efforts to review and enhance what we do, so that we can bring greater value to our country and region.
Pro Vice Chancellor & Principal
EDITORIAL TEAM
Campus Principal: Professor Clement Sankat
Director of Marketing and Communications: Mrs. Dawn-Marie De
Four-Gill
Director of Marketing and Communications (Ag.): Mrs. Wynell Gregorio
Editor: Ms. Vaneisa Baksh
Contact us:
The UWI Marketing and Communications Office
Tel: (868) 662-2002 exts. 82013, 82014
Email: uwitoday@sta.uwi.edu
|
