SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY, 2015 – UWI TODAY
3
EDITORIAL TEAM
Campus Principal
Professor Clement Sankat
Director of Marketing and Communications
Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill
EDITOR
Ms. Vaneisa Baksh
CONTACT US
The UWI Marketing and Communications Office
Tel: (868) 662-2002, exts. 82013 / 83997 or email:
“Most Caribbean countries are merely
large rocks in the ocean,” said Owen Arthur,
former Prime Minister of Barbados. “They
have much to do; but so little to work with.
It is hence a miracle of modern civilization
that coherent and cohesive society can be
constituted in our adverse circumstances.
Progress will not come easily. It has to be
fought for.”
On January 19, 2015 at the St. Augustine
campus, Mr. Arthur gave a lecture on how
vital economic integration was to the region,
the setbacks it has faced and the urgency of
renewing the integrationist agenda in the face
of “dire” circumstances.
His presentation, part of The UWI’s
Distinguished Lecture Series, was hosted by
the Institute of International Relations. Under
the topic, “Caribbean Regionalism in the
Context of Economic Challenges,” he looked
at how the integration process has frayed, the
region’s worsening economic fortunes and
strategies to revitalise the movement towards
a unified economy.
“It has to be acknowledged to begin
with that the integration movement in the
Caribbean and the countries of the Caribbean
community in their individual capacities now
have to grapple with challenges which did
not exist or which are now more severe than
anticipated when the movement was put in
place,” Mr. Arthur told attendees at the Noor
Hassanali Law Lecture Theatre.
He pointed to increased competition,
outmoded and inefficient economic practices
and the failure of the Caribbean to take part in
trade groups as reasons for the region’s poor
performance.
“A large proportion of the contemporary
economic crisis with which individual
Caribbean economies have to contend
originates in their unwillingness or inability
to make adjustments that could enable them
to adapt to the changes in the global trade and
economic environment which have a direct
and fundamental bearing on their structures
and functioning,” Mr. Arthur said.
He was however hopeful for the region,
advocating greater economic liberalism and
commitment to the Caribbean SingleMarket
Economy (CSME) and other integrationist
institutions and initiatives.
“There is a new Caribbean economy
that is waiting to flourish,” Mr. Arthur said.
“The old economic paradigm of domestic
economies based on the use of land, labour
and capital is going to have to give way to a
new paradigm of a new Caribbean economy
driven by innovation, entrepreneurship,
technological sophistication and the adoption
of global best practices in every field of
economic endeavour.”
Among his policy ideas for regional
economic integration, Mr. Arthur stressed
the need for a “supranational authority” to
give it the power it needs, calling it “the most
vital undertaking that should be engaged in
our region.”
Mr. Arthur’s well-attended presentation
was the first Distinguished Lecture at
the St. Augustine campus for 2015. The
DistinguishedLecture series brings renowned
speakers in politics, diplomacy, academia,
the arts and business, from the region and
beyond to share their insights.
55 Years of
Sound Leadership
FROM the Principal
Demonstrating the qualities
of a good leader
is not only to be found in persons holding high
or public office, but it must also be fostered in
the daily things we do as citizens. It should be
inherent in our attitudes; our choices and our
actions as parents, as students, teachers and as
children: all of us vital parts of civil society. We
must be committed to contributing in a positive
way to the general good. What we do on a daily
basis is and will always be connected to the
outcome of the principles and ideals that we adhere to; those that
will eventually define who we are, or who we want to become.
Leadership is founded on integrity and trust; it is a manifestation
of all that you are. As responsible custodians of a rich and
unique heritage, it is incumbent on all of us to work diligently
and unwaveringly to attain admirable ideals, along with noble
standards.
On October 12, five years and five decades ago, the institution
that would become the St. Augustine campus ofThe UWI was born. It
was the second offspring of the regional university. We have struggled
through several epochs as we grew with this nation and region, and
throughout we have held fast to these ideals and standards, which
must be governed by our mission to serve our communities with
respect and within the rule of law. This campus, of which I have been
a part for 45 years, has grown in ways I have personally witnessed,
becoming the largest Campus ofThe UWI system. With the support
of our key stakeholders, as Principal I have considered it my duty
to continue to build relevance, access, quality, reach and physical
expansion and responsiveness by expanding access and creating
more spaces for teaching and learning.
History has demonstrated that alumni fromTheUWI have always
made significant contributions as leaders and thinkers; spanning all
spheres. The trend for The UWI to produce regional and visionary
leaders is not only still required, but more urgently expected. The
UWI system, as a reservoir for leadership, remains a critical part of
the puzzle if we are to continue to develop as a nation.
Clement K. Sankat
Pro Vice-Chancellor & Principal
OUR CAMPUS
Regional Economic
Integration
more necessary than ever
Owen Arthur makes case for a renewed
thrust towards a unified Caribbean
From left: Professor Andy Knight, Director of the Institute of International Relations;
Mr. Owen Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados; and Pro Vice-Chancellor and
Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat.
