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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, 2018
for apples and grapes, changing local appetites to
bananas and cerise will be quite a challenge.
Do we have what it takes to flip our education
system– formal and informal, primary to tertiary –
on its head so that we could eliminate the causative
factors behind the alarming situation of having
1,486 youths achieve zero passes at the 2018 CXC
examinations? One could hazard a guess that
these are mostly males, potential fodder for the
scourge of criminal gangs. But even beyond this
red flag, there is much to motivate the complete
overhaul of our education system. For example,
there is the persistent claim that the system is so
examination oriented and too heavily steeped in
academics, resulting in some doubt that even the
“more successful” students have really acquired the
level of understanding one would expect. This does
not augur well for the creation of a populace that is
sufficiently well educated to enable the achievement
of the UN Sustainable Goals. When one adds to this
the very valid claims that, despite the best efforts of
past Governments, in 2018 there is still too much
scorn heaped on the technical and vocational
(trades) professions, we see that our education
system remains all
too encumbered by
traditional biases and
myopia. Furthermore,
a s e v i d e nc e d by
the revelations of
saturat ion in our
p r o f e s s i ona l j ob
markets, there is a
disconnect, a lack
of proper detailed
p l a n n i n g , t h a t
manifests itself in
the misa lignment
b e twe en t he j ob
demand and the supply of qualified individuals. All
of these combine to stifle any meaningful attempts
to maximize our human capital.
So what is the solution? From the national
education perspective, we atThe UWI St. Augustine
have proposed a 3-tier strategy for a new much
more relevant national education system that has
at its very foundation the concept of education
for survival. While the two higher levels address
preparation for current and future job markets,
the survival agenda will ensure that every single
citizen has the basic wherewithal to survive the
fallout from a national disaster that cuts them
off from essential supplies. The earthquake of
August 21st serves as a reminder that we should be
prepared for such an eventuality given that we are
in an earthquake zone that experts are telling us is
winding up to deliver a “big one.” But even beyond
disaster preparedness, this level of education should
strive to build a citizenry with full knowledge and
understanding of their body, mind and spirit. Such
an education system would, from a very early
age, develop and enhance our ability to perform
all manner of physical activities in a manner that
prolongs its utility while minimizing damage due
to improper technique and complement that with
a sound knowledge of personal diet and exercise.
It would help each citizen to complement this
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
level of physical literacy with programmes that
optimize the development of their mental abilities
and their social skills. All of these are required for
the development of a more capable and mature
citizenry who, in the best of times would populate a
sustainably developed society, who us well prepared
to thrive in other cultures and, most importantly,
well equipped to face survival challenges in the
aftermath of any disaster. I challenge my University
colleagues, educators and other national and
regional stakeholders to work with us to begin the
discussions that will flesh out the details of this new
3-tier educational agenda.
I close with somemention of the new2018-2019
academic year. September heralds the beginning
of our new academic year, bringing with it fresh
batches of new students and those returning to
continue their degree programmes. Although we
have a fairly diverse range of students in terms of
age, we are aware that a substantial number of the
new ones will now be making the transition from
secondary school to university life and it is an
enormous step in their personal journeys towards
independence.
If you are a new
student, fresh out of
high school, you need
to be aware that you
will be coming to an
environment that is
completely different
from that which you
would have previously
e x p e r i e n c e d .
Significantly, you will
now have to take full
responsibility for your
success, including
becoming familiar
with applicable regulations, locating classrooms,
understanding UWI structure, determining
schedules, attending lectures, keeping up with
assignments andfindingout about campus amenities
and clubs.The Campus provides an enormous range
of information packages – its code of conduct,
security guidelines, maps, health information – all
that is needed to navigate this new environment, but
you have to take the time to make yourself familiar
with them all. Our experience has shown that those
who take the time to learn what the university has
to offer are the ones who get the most benefit from
being part of the campus community.
As someone who has been in this environment
for decades, it is tempting to say “I’ve seen it all”
when it comes to the kinds of challenges that
students encounter. It is never smooth sailing, but
in most cases, it is those bumps along the way that
enrich the experience. To all students I wish you
a rich and rewarding learning experience here at
The UWI.
EachMindMatters
The race, in its 15th year,
will run off on
Sunday 28th October with a mental health
theme, ‘Each Mind Matters’. In her remarks
Minister Cudjoe confirmed that the Ministry
and the Government are committed to moving
“mental health treatment beyond treatment
oriented programmes in the health care system
to include broader approaches.” She noted that
her Ministry’s business was holistic, including
physical and mental health. She said she
enthusiastically looks forward to participating
in this year’s race and went on to commendThe
UWI for being ahead of the curve by already
implementing facets of the soon-to-be launched
National Sport Policy 2017–2027.
Registration for the
UWI SPECHalf-Marathon
is open at
sta.uwi.edu/spec/marathon.
School Bags Champ
The indefatigable
Erica Williams-Connell
stands alongside this year’s winner of the Eric
Williams “School Bags” Essay competition,
Omari Joseph, while PS in the Ministry of
Public Administration, Maxie Cuffie shares
in congratulating the young man. The prize-
giving ceremony was held in August at the
Alma Jordan Library. The biennial competition
is one of the outreach activities coordinated by
the Eric Williams Memorial Collection, which
is in the custody of the AJL. Regional students
are invited to submit their essays on a chosen
subject.
From left: St. Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Brian
Copeland; The Hon. Minister of Sport andYouth Affairs
Shamfa Cudjoe; First Citizens Deputy CEO, Jason Julien; and
Director of SPEC, Grace Jackson at the launch of The UWI SPEC
International Half-Marathon.
The earthquake of August 21st
serves as a reminder that we
should be prepared for such an
eventuality given that we are in
an earthquake zone that experts
are telling us is winding up to
deliver a “big one.”
PROFESSOR BRIAN COPELAND
Campus Principal
