Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
Professor Kenneth Hall, pro vice chancellor and principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI), and Governor-General-designate is surrounded by students from Ruseas High School, his alma mater. He had earlier opened UWI Research Day 2006 which is themed 'The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME): Opportunities and Challenges' and ends at the UWI, Mona campus, today. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WITH THE institution itself an example of regional integration, Student Guild members at the University of the West Indies (UWI) are volunteering as advocates for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
During yesterday's opening ceremony at the UWI's Research Day at the Mona
campus, The Gleaner spoke to the guild presidents of the university's three campuses: Richard Toomer of Mona, Fallon Latchmansingh of St. Augustine in Trinidad, and Floyd Green of Cavehill in Barbados. All three are part of the UWI's Vice Chancellor Ambassador Corps which was launched on Monday.
The guild presidents hope to enrol 30 students to the corps from each of their respective campuses by the end of March.
Mr. Toomer maintained that students are increasingly on-message about the CSME.
"The students themselves are pressing to be advocates because they can see the benefit to themselves and the region," he said. "And as leaders for the region in the near future we believe that we can play a stronger role."
WORK AND MOVE FREELY
University graduates are among those labelled under the 'CARICOM Recognition of Skills Qualification'. This means that, since the implementation of the single market on January 1 (the single economy is not due until the end of 2008), they can work and move freely between CSM-compliant countries.
Jamaica is one of six countries to have implemented the CSM, with a further six expected by the end of March. The Bahamas, Haiti and Montserrat have not signed on.
Mr. Green believes students are regionally-mobile and can spread the message of regional integration. "We can play a greater role but we do need to be empowered in that members of the Government and CSME need to consult with and inform us," he said. "Students, like everybody else, need to be informed as to how it can affect their lives as an individual."
Ms. Latchmansingh agreed, arguing that public information on CSME needs to be simpler. "It needs to be in a language that is more appropriate for the general population," she said. "And for those who don't (or) cannot take advantage (of the free movement of labour) they need to know they can do so by achieving the right qualifications and skills."
Others entitled to the CARICOM Recognition of Skills Qualification include journalists, artistes, musicians, sports persons, managers, technical and supervisory staff attached to a company or a self-employed person.
