June 2013


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Psi Chi at the UWI

In 1929, at a time when psychology was still young, the Psi Chi Honour Society in Psychology was established at the 9th International Congress of Psychology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. More than eight decades later, Psi Chi has come to St. Augustine.

Its founders envisioned Psi Chi as a way of encouraging, stimulating and maintaining excellence in scholarship while advancing the science of psychology. These aims were summarised in two Greek words that became their motto: Psyche Cheires. Psyche suggests the mind or the scholarship and enrichment of the mind. Cheires, meaning hands, stands for fellowship and research. Psyche Cheires expresses cooperation in the investigation and cultivation of the mind.

Establishment of a Psi Chi Chapter at the St. Augustine Campus is a bit of a coup, considering that Psi Chi only went international in 2009! Psi Chi has chartered about 1,100 chapters at colleges and universities, 10 of which are considered international and can be found in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the Caribbean. The UWI St. Augustine Campus therefore represents one of a select number of international higher education institutions that have gained entry into this Society.

It’s more than that though. Membership opens up unprecedented funding and research opportunities for eligible psychology students at all levels of study. The lifetime membership status provides students with immediate international recognition for their academic excellence (a minimum cumulative and psychology GPA of 3.0 is required for eligibility). Through the sense of community among local, regional and global members, Psi Chi membership facilitates leadership development and student research by providing over US$300,550 in awards and grants. Additionally, active members may hold office and vote on issues of societal importance to Psi Chi, as well as attend regional and societal annual psychology conventions. Students are also given the opportunity to develop their publication record through submissions to the Society’s academic journals.

On March 21, the Department of Behavioural Sciences, in collaboration with the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, hosted the Installation and Inaugural Induction Ceremony of The UWI St. Augustine Campus Psi Chi Chapter.

Psi Chi Faculty Advisors, Dr. Derek Chadee, Head, Department of Behavioural Sciences, and Dr. Jannel Phillip, faculty member of the Department’ s Psychology Unit led the historic induction ceremony of 40 undergraduate, postgraduate and alumni members who pledged to accept Psi Chi’s standards and purposes as their own. Inductees were selected by the Faculty Advisors for their excellence in scholarship and promise in the field of psychology. Each new member was presented with certificates and membership cards from the Psi Chi Central Office and signed the Chapter Registration Book as evidence of their membership.

Through videotaped welcome messages, Professor Jason Young, Psi Chi Society President, and Professor Martha Zlokovich, its Executive Director, encouraged the latest members to apply for research grants and chapter awards.

Psychology, as a discipline at the St Augustine Campus, has seen a tremendous growth spurt in the last 16 years. A significant increase in registered students for the programme and the need to expand curricula made it necessary to create a distinct Department of Psychology, a vision not far from realization.

The UWI has identified internationalisation as a major strategic objective so as to enhance the global reach and impact of the University. This recent success with the establishment of a Psi Chi Chapter means that The UWI is already responding to the forces of globalisation and establishing a competitive advantage in the diverse market of tertiary education.

Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honour Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association and the Association for the Psychological Science. On April 11th 2013, the Chapter elected its first serving officers – President, Nikita Ng Ying; Vice President, Leekeesha Duncan; Secretary, Xavio Julien; and Treasurer, Je Line Garcia. The new president has a BSc Psychology (First Class) from the St Augustine Campus and an MSc in Clinical Psychology (Dist) from the Faculty of Medical Sciences. She is currently enrolled in the PhD Psychology programme at The UWI St. Augustine Campus, with a specialization in Social Psychology. For further information, please email: Nikita.NgYing@sta.uwi.edu or visit www.psichi.org.