THE EDITOR, Sir:I SHOULD like to thank Elombe Mottley for his interest in the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus as reflected in his article published in The Sunday Gleaner of July 7, 2002. The article touched on a number of matters which are in fact under discussion at the UWI, and have been targeted for serious address in UWI's Strategic Plan 2002 -2007 which was recently approved by the University Strategy Committee.
May I, however, comment on some aspects of the article, particularly as they relate to the Mona Campus. First, it is difficult to accept Mr. Mottley's characterisation of the UWI as 'myopic' especially against the background of the Strategic plan mentioned earlier. The plan was devised after extensive consultation and sets the agenda and will integrate the work of the university over the next five years. This new Plan is itself a follow up to an earlier Strategic Plan. Its development, and the vision outlined therein, would hardly have occurred in a 'myopic sanctum' concerned only with 'inbreeding-- and self-preservation'.
Second, the Vice Chancellor himself has publicly stated the need for the university to become far more entrepreneurial. In this regard, the Mona Campus has already taken action in some of the areas on which Mr. Mottley commented. Mona, through its Business Development Office, has undertaken several initiatives aimed at enhancing its revenue-generating capacity. Developments such as the opening of a branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited, the establishing of a branch of Restaurants, of Jamaica and the remodelling and upgrading of the former Senior Common Room now known as the Mona Visitors' Lodge and Conference Centre, are examples of Mona's efforts to generate income. Mention should also be made of Mona Informatix, a privately-owned university company, which has had outstanding success in attracting lucrative contracts from private sector interests, including major international airline corporations.
Faculty members have been encouraged to become more entrepreneurial in their planning and have begun to generate income to supplement approved departmental budgetary allocations. There is the summer school programme, which is now fully institutionalised at the Mona campus and constitutes an important source of supplemental income. A number of self-financing higher degree programmes have been introduced and the campus has launched three new institutes: the Natural Products Institute, the Mona Institute of Medical Sciences and the Mona Institute of Applied Sciences which will facilitate regional development in the area of science and technology, and generate income to make them commercially viable. In addition, there is the Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI) where research into chronic diseases are apace and enjoy international recognition and funding.
The drive to encourage the development of an entrepreneurial spirit is also being extended to members of the student body. The university has signed an agreement with self-made Jamaican businessman Vincent HoSang for the establishment of the HoSang Fellowship programme in Entrepreneurship in the Mona School of Business. Under this programme, which begins in the 2002-2003 academic year, students of the university will submit business plans which the School of Business will assist them in bringing to fruition over an 18-month period. In the longer term, there is also an objective to develop an MSc. programme in Entrepreneur-ship offered through the Business School. Together, these endeavours are expected to position The UWI as the preferred regional institution for the development of Caribbean entrepreneurs.
The UWI notes Mr. Mottley's concern about the number of graduates produced by its medical school but wishes to point out that the number graduated each year is 220, and not 100 as stated in the article. Training is provided at the pre-and post-clinical stages, and not only at the pre-clinical stage as occurs at other institutions cited in his article. His suggestion that additional funds could be raised by seeking to attract more students from overseas has already been adopted, particularly at the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad where a significant proportion of the medical students are foreigners. However, the Faculty of Medical Sciences was mandated to train doctors for the region and this must take priority in any allocation of available spaces. Working within this context, the Faculty has been able to maintain standards and satisfy regional demands. It should be noted that the training of medical personnel is extremely expensive and cannot be separated from the availability of financial, physical and human resources. However, the Faculty of Medical Sciences is always willing to review any situation with a view to change if the need to do so arises and is appreciative of Mr. Mottley's stated concern.
The UWI is surprised by Mr. Mottley's comments urging the creation of a special international institute: with schools of economics, Caribbean literature and tourism among others. Given his interest, how could Mr. Mottley not be aware of the existence of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (formerly the Institute of Social and Economic Research); the Department of Literatures in English, the Institute of Caribbean Studies and the Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management, to name just a few. The work of these 'institutes' has helped to cement the high regard in which the UWI is held internationally. Again, while one would not disagree with the suggestion that other institutes should be established on various aspects of the Caribbean reality, much of this is dependent on the availability of resources to do so.
Finally, the university notes Mr. Mottley's comments regarding Radio Mona and wishes to assure him that the station is fully aware of its role in supporting UWI's mission. The answer to the question as to why Radio Mona needs a commercial licence is simply that it has to pay its way in an extremely competitive media environment and is part of the efficiency gains device to secure resources outside of the normal funding by contributing Governments. Radio Mona is already creating its own niche in public broadcasting and, to the discriminating listener, the difference is clear. Some teaching is currently done via the station and there are plans to extend this, again, depending on the availability of funds. The intention certainly is to build on the strengths that exist as we strive to compete effectively on a number of fronts in the future.
I am,
CARROLL EDWARDS (MRS.)
Public Relations Officer, UWI, Mona.
