SUNDAY 3rd may, 2015 – UWI TODAY
3
EDITORIAL TEAM
Campus Principal
Professor Clement Sankat
Director of Marketing and Communications
Dr Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill
EDITOR
Vaneisa Baksh
CONTACT US
The UWI Marketing and Communications Office
Tel: (868) 662-2002, exts. 82013 / 83997 or email:
A Farewell and aWelcome
FROM the Principal
TheUWIhasjustundergone
a significant
change in its management profile, as
Professor E. Nigel Harris demitted office
as Vice-Chancellor in April, after having
served for just over ten years. Our new
Vice-Chancellor is Sir Hilary Beckles,
who will be our seventh V-C since our
inception in 1948.
While change is inevitable in all
organizations, it sometimes occurs with
residual sentiments of melancholy;
especially when it involves persons
who developed strong working relationships and close bonds. This
can certainly be said about the way that I feel, being mindful of the
unescapable departure of Professor Harris.
Since January 2008, as campus Principal, I have had the privilege
to work closely with Prof Harris. He pushed us to adopt the three
“firsts”:
1.
The UWI being the first choice for Caribbean people seeking high
quality undergraduate and graduate education.
2.
The institution that is first in the development of new knowledge
unique to the Caribbean and Small Island States through research,
with a primary goal of contributing to growth, development and
transformation of the region.
3.
The first port of call for Caribbean governments wishing advice
and technical expertise for policy development, strategic planning
and programme implementation.
I am absolute in my view of his unwavering contribution to this
university andmore importantly, he has remained true to his mandate,
and has been “committed to fulfilling our ageless mission to propel
the development of West Indian society through teaching, research,
innovation and intellectual leadership.” Professor Harris has clearly
demonstrated in an exemplary manner, adopting a disposition of
calm humility and perseverance. His legacy has clearly defined him
as indeed a gentleman and a scholar.
Every leader has their own distinct style of leadership and may
impart their ideas in various ways. Whilemany of us grew accustomed
to that of Prof Harris and welcomed his approach to conducting the
University’s business, we must now prepare to welcome the official
installation of the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles
later this month. Change and transition is usually preceded by feelings
of expectations, as the style, ideologies and approach to leadership
by a new leader is being observed and evaluated. Change is not
painless, but more often than not, the changing of the guard lends
itself to fuelling the evolution and growth of most institutions, and
The UWI is not exempt from this natural occurrence. Change must be
embraced, adopted, incorporated and exploited so that we may derive
in a complete and comprehensive manner, all the new experiences
and benefits that a new leader will bring.
Clement K. Sankat
Pro Vice-Chancellor & Principal
A consortium of organisations,
which includes
the Government of the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago, the United Nations Development
Program, the Organisation of American States,
the Commonwealth Secretariat, the CARICOM
Secretariat, the Banco de Desarrollo de América
Latina and The UWI, is hosting a Forum on the
Future of the Caribbean.
For well over a decade Caribbean economies
have been experiencing persistent low levels of
economic growth and expanding fiscal and current
account deficits. This has given rise to, high and
rising debt to GDP ratios and a reduced fiscal
space. Furthermore, falling labour productivity
and lack of technological sophistication has made
it difficult for the Caribbean to gain market share
for its exports.
The overall objective of the Forum is to
generate disruptive thinking, stimulate bold action
and deliver practical outcomes: it is intended to
be a mould-breaking gathering of progressive
Caribbean policy-makers, thinkers, business and
civic society leaders. This will be a Forum that
amplifies the voices of dynamic young leaders
willing to challenge the status quo and champion
new solutions.
It is meant to act as a catalyst for change by
creating a space for debate and discussion around
new academic and policy solutions and progressive
ideas by bringing radical thinking to old issues and
to provide amechanism to inject new thinking into
the political process.
The key themes of the Forum are:
Capturing the ambitions of the region;
Embracing Caribbean convergence;
Shaping a new global compact through
diplomacy;
Tackling poverty and inequality;
Advocating innovative financing
solutions.
The UWI St. Augustine, May 5, Day 1:
Stimulating Radical Ideas
On the first day, academics from across the
world, and regional thought leaders and policy-
makers, will present radical ideas and outline
deeply practical outcomes around our key
themes, including Caribbean convergence, the
resilience of Small Island Developing States,
the quality of data for decision making and
pathways to a more sustainable future.
Hyatt Regency Hotel, May 6, Day 2:
Rethinking the Caribbean Future
Day 2 will focus on building a vision of how
the Caribbean could transform itself by 2050.
Comprising a series of keynote speeches by
internationally renowned experts, followed by
moderated roundtable discussions, delegates
will discuss themes around global and regional
convergence, including CARICOM integration
and opportunities for convergence from the
private sector, and the crucial role that the
political economy and governance plays in
delivering sustainable development.
Hyatt Regency Hotel, May 7, Day 3:
Taking Action for Sustainable Outcomes
The focus of the final day of the Forum will
be on creating the momentum and means
to take bold action for the future. Prompted
by thought-provoking keynote speeches and
roundtable discussions, delegates will be
invited to debate innovative, yet practical, ways
of tackling poverty and inequality, reducing
debt levels, delivering green and blue growth
strategies and human capital development, and
the role of Caribbean diplomacy in the global
world of politics.
OUR CAMPUS
The overall objective of the Forum is to
generate disruptive thinking, stimulate bold
action and deliver practical outcomes
