20
UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 3rd may, 2015
These events presented the unique opportunity to have in some cases Heads of
Government or Heads of State to share their opinions and ideologies; on many occasions
to address current challenges being endured by island states in our region. Many of the
lectures to date have been greeted with a full audience comprising students, Ministers of
Government, leaders of Business from the Private sector, and representatives from various
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) along with simply other interested persons.
Book Launches & Symposia
It has always been the expectation that The UWI and its academic staff would
continuously work towards expanding the knowledge base, by continuously pushing the
frontiers of research further. The results and findings of this arduous task resides in themany
articles, papers and books that ensue. During the period in question we had several book
launches to include those of
Dr. Carol Logie
& Professor Jaipaul Roopnarine
“Issues and
Perspectives in Early Childhood Development & Education in Caribbean Countries”;
Professor
AnnMarie Bissessar &Professor JohnGaffar LaGuerre
“Trinidad and Tobago andGuyana:
Race and Politics in Two Plural Societies”
; Dr. Roger Hosein“
Applications of International Trade
Theory: The Caribbean Perspective”
; &
Mr. Martin Franklin & Dr. Roger Hosein
“Informal
Commercial Importers in CARICOM”, and held symposia such as the
Conference on the
Economy; Caribbean One HealthWorkshop; 20
th
Medical Update and Research Conference
among others. These publications and symposia provide the opportunity to share the work
being done by our very committed academics. Only when this information is dispersed
and utilized can the impact of their work be really felt; and positive change be realized
on a societal scale.
Building Global Partnerships for Development
Expanding your knowledge resource base beyond the walls of your geographical
constraints can be achieved by developing global partnerships that are able to fulfill
mutual interests. The UWI St. Augustine Campus and the
China Agricultural University
(CAU)
signed an implementation agreement to develop the Agriculture Innovation
Park at Orange Grove, which we are confident, will re-engineer the way our country and
region grows and produce food. The Chinese are noted for their strong and long history
in agriculture, and it is our intention that with their help we may propagate at Orange
Grove an agricultural system that will utilize the latest technological advancements.
I was
also privileged to visit China once again; this time, as part of the Prime Minister’s official
delegation from Trinidad and Tobago.
The UWI St. Augustine Campus was also able to strengthen its relationship with
China through theConfucius Institute.
InDecember of 2013,
I was invited to the
8
th
Global
Confucius Institute Conference, in Beijing, China
where I delivered a presentation
entitled, “Confucius Institute Planning and University Development – Serve the Colleges”.
At this conference, I emphasized the important role that the Confucius Institute at The
UWI St. Augustine Campus will play in the service of development through strengthened
cooperation, collaboration and friendship with China in teaching and learning, outreach,
cultural and socio-economic ties.
In keeping with our plan to further grow and advance these global relationships, in
the past academic year,
I was also privileged to be invited to speak at the
International
Conference commemorating the 200
th
Anniversary of the Congress of Vienna at
the University of Vienna
,
Austria
. On this trip, I met
with the Vice Rector of the University
of Vienna, Professor Heinz Fabmann
. It was agreed that the 12
th
International Association of
Latin American and Caribbean Historians Meetingwill be held right inTrinidad andTobago
in 2015 at The UWI St. Augustine Campus. The more we extend our radar as an institution,
beyond our own boundaries the more able we are to provide higher level education at
equitably world class standards.
Dr. Roger Hosein (L) and Mr. Martin Franklin (second from right) display their new books, with the
President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Carmona and Campus
Principal, Professor Clement Sankat
Principal Sankat and The Vice President of Wuhan University, Mme. Feng Youmei sign an MOU to
promote cultural and academic exchanges.
Principal Sankat and President of CAU, Prof. KE Bingsheng sign an implementation agreement to develop the Agriculture Innovation Park at Orange Grove.
Looking on are Prime Minister the Honourable Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar (centre) and other senior members of the Government of Trinidad & Tobago and the CAU.
