 “I still say ‘our’,” remarks Ewart Williams. He means “our” UWI St Augustine.
He is reflecting on his decade as Chair of the Campus Council, two five-year terms. And even though his tenure is complete his instinct is to talk of the campus as “we”, “us” and “our”. It speaks to a connection to the university that goes all the way back to the 1960s. It tells of a commitment to its future, a future for which he helped lay the foundation.
“My role was not as an executive,” he says of his position on the Council. “But for the ten years, anywhere I could have helped, I did. And when I needed to give advice or volunteer suggestions, I gave it my best.”
This is no exaggeration. During his tenure Mr Williams’ activities went far beyond the traditional role of chairman. His support was especially important in the area of funding for The UWI.
“As Campus Council Chair I was a member of the University Audit Committee, which gave me an opportunity to participate in the resolution of the financial challenges being faced by the University,” he says.
Locally he is most well-known for his role as Governor of the Central Bank (from 2002 to 2012).In the world of international economic policy Williams is renowned for his 30-year career with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He achieved the position of Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, a massive accomplishment in his field, especially for someone from a small developing country. Last year he received the national award, the Chaconia Medal (Gold), for exemplary service to the nation.
Now retired, he still sits on a few state boards. But other things keep him busy.
“Well I have five grandchildren,” he laughs.
He’s slimmer than in his older photos and his speech is more deliberate, but the laughter is powerful. Tall and jaunty, he has a surprisingly confident and easygoing energy, much more like a sportsman than a technocrat.
“I am a San Juan boy,” he says of himself.
That San Juan youth was there in the early days of The UWI St Augustine. He was a member of the first class of students at the College of Arts and Sciences in 1965, where he studied economics in the Social Sciences Division (and was Student of the Year of the St Augustine Campus in 1967). After graduation he was the first and only member of the economics class to do a master’s degree.
It sounds commonplace today, but the St Augustine of the 1960s was far from what it has become. Back then it was a fledgling institution with a small group of students (800 in 1965). Yet still Williams and students like him had faith in the institution.
“My generation was very excited about going to this new university,” he says.
“I had a strong nationalist sentiment,” he smiles, “which lasted the 30 years I spent in Washington DC and it has got even stronger since.”
A deep love - and gratitude - for Trinidad and Tobago stands out in his words and actions.
He reflects: “This society has given me so much. This society has made me what I am. When I came back to the Central Bank as Governor I really saw it as a way of giving back to society.”
Williams adds, “I am passionate about Trinidad and Tobago. My late mother used to tell people that in my 30 years in Washington I missed 29 Christmases and one Carnival.”
That spirit of gratitude also brought him back to UWI.
Speaking at the UWI St Augustine Campus Council 2019 meeting, Campus Registrar Mr David Moses said:
“(Ewart Williams) has given yeoman service as a Caribbean man, not only to Trinidad and Tobago but to the Caribbean and the world.”
His active service, Mr Moses said, spanned almost 15 years, during which he supported three campus principals – Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Professor Clement Sankat and now Professor Brian Copeland. Mr Williams became a member of the Campus Planning Committee in 2004 and then he served as Chair of the Audit Committee. In 2009 he became Campus Council Chair.
For the next decade he worked intimately with Professor Sankat and his successor Professor Copeland, as well as with the St Augustine and UWI’s regional administrators.
“When I first came and saw the kind of transformation that was being envisioned for the university I was overwhelmed,” he says. “I asked them, ‘are you sure you can do this?’ Don’t you think it is too crowded an agenda? Looking back I think the process of transformation is being successfully implemented, though perhaps unexpected obstacles have slowed down the pace below what was envisaged.”
Williams speaks highly of both campus principals. He admires the intellect and energy of the Vice-Chancellor of The UWI Professor Sir Hilary Beckles (who expanded an already ambitious programme), and he has a special word of thanks for Chancellor Emeritus, Sir George Alleyne, who gave him the opportunity to serve The UWI.
Of Professor Copeland he says, “he has a passion for the things he does and is prepared to take the time to bring people along. When you do this you can attempt herculean tasks and I think that is where the success is coming from.”
He is particularly happy with UWI’s evolving role in “getting involved in the problems of society, and helping the society workout solutions”.
“Many of the programmes that are being introduced now, like service learning and engagement with the community and private sector, should have been started many years ago” he says.
“Changes in the economic and social environment have made it clear that the university needs to be more actively involved in the transformation of the national economy and in the resolution of the many social problems that we face,” he says.
"I think that’s happening now.”
His optimism about UWI and its role is refreshing. He does however see the challenges the university has to deal with and the improvements it needs to make. Williams points to the danger of UWI continuing to rely disproportionately on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago as its biggest financier.
He also highlights the importance of balancing the need for increasing student enrolment with maintaining the quality of UWI graduates entering the workforce. The former Council Chair spoke as well about staff and ensuring they are compensated properly for their work:
“One of our successes, particularly under Brian Copeland, is the extent to which he has achieved buy-in by the staff. However, you are talking about a staff that hasn’t had a salary increase in the longest while. You are talking about a staff that is under pressure.”
Challenges aside, Williams is optimistic about the trajectory of The UWI and proud of the work it is doing. He also looks back very fondly at his time as Chair.
“I functioned as an advocate, a kind of cheerleader and advisor,” he says of the position. “I enjoyed my time there. At times, it was demanding. The university has more meetings than the Lord allows. But it was a labour of love.”
And for anyone with ambitions for life that could take them to achievements as great as his, what does he advise?
“Take yourself seriously and think big,” he smiles. “Could you imagine a little fellow from San Juan, going to a brand new, small university, turning up at the IMF? When I entered the IMF’s Economist Programme, my class was largely filled with PhDs from the Ivy League schools. But I had confidence. And UWI taught me to analyse economic problems and to think on my feet. You have to work hard and believe in yourself. Be open to learning new things.”
It’s good advice for the individual, good advice for the institution.
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