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September 2011
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From the Principal: Our private sector partnerships
In 1989, a joint venture between The UWI and the private sector of Trinidad and Tobago, was set up to provide primarily postgraduate education and training in business and management via the GSB. I think this institution has and continues to serve Trinidad and Tobago very well, but significant changes in the global and local landscape have since emerged – in the economy, in the needs of our private sector companies, in the composition and profile of our student population, in the growth of external providers of business education, etc. These and many other factors therefore impinge on the objectives, strategy and positioning of any institution. The spirit of the partnership to support indigenous capacity in business management is still vibrant, but we need to adjust to the changes in the environment, including growth at the St. Augustine Campus itself. We also cannot ignore the important role of academic quality and brand in such a partnership. Having a brand that represents high academic quality is something we have worked hard to attain and understandably, we are protective of this brand. The regional character of The UWI adds another dimension for our students and our partners in the private sector and brings a whole new opportunity for them. For instance, we have had great relationships in the past with bpTT and BhP Billiton in Petroleum Geoscience and with other energy and manufacturing companies. This spirit of the UWI partnering with the private sector continues to evolve. We begin the new academic year with a new undergraduate programme in Journalism, made possible through the private sector and I thank Ken Gordon, Anthony Sabga, Dawn Thomas and Sunity Maharaj, all leaders of the industry for their support. There are exciting opportunities available at The UWI for win-win partnerships with the private sector as the Campus grows and expands into Penal-Debe, Tobago and Orange Grove; opportunities that go beyond teaching and learning opportunities for research and development and for the provision of services to our nearly 18,000 students. It is through a partnership with our Government and the private sector that we can build a university that is sustainable and delivers on its mission. Clement K. Sankat |
A month ago, at the “Founding Fathers Event” hosted by the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business (GSB) I took the opportunity to discuss the unique partnership between The UWI and the private sector. Let me once again congratulate, Joe Esau, Thomas Gatcliffe and the late Gordon Draper for their roles in building this Institution, formerly the UWI Institute of Business.