Stephen Vasciannie

Some years ago, I participated in the Diplomatic Week activities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. I recall that Ambassadors Roberts and Coy were among the main organisers, and that one of the themes for the proceedings was the impact of globalisation on developing countries.

Apropos that theme, I also recall that the then Mexican Ambassador to Jamaica firmly suggested that Jamaica should make a special effort to ensure that its nationals attend local universities for undergraduate studies before probably going off to the metropole for postgraduate work.

Compulsion

But should the state be worried if its students, upon completing high school, opt in large numbers to pursue undergraduate studies overseas?

I do not think that the state should consider compelling students to remain in the Caribbean to do their undergraduate studies. This kind of compulsion - even when motivated by high-minded considerations - has never worked, and would amount to a kind of intellectual imposition completely at odds with our liberal traditions. People must be free to study where there wish to study, subject, of course to economic constraints and to their ability to matriculate into certain institutions.

the professional faculties at the University of the West Indies are unquestionably reputable places of high competence, and so, routinely, some of the best graduates of the secondary system pursue spots in medicine, law and engineering within the region.

The state has reinforced this situation not only through its funding of the University of the West Indies, but also through the provision of scholarships and student loans to most students who qualify for assistance.

In disciplines other than medicine, law and engineering, the University of the West Indies has also maintained high standards, particularly at the upper end of each class.

Competition

That said, however, it must be acknowledged that the University of the West Indies faces fierce competition for top students from foreign universities. Various institutions now train secondary students for the American Scholastic Aptitude Test, and energetically publicise their successes when they have students placed at well-known universities overseas. This development should not be discouraged, for it helps to raise competitive standards at the secondary level. It should also prompt greater efficiency within the Jamaican tertiary sector - competition has its place.

The competition should, however, also encourage the University of the West Indies to adopt even more enthusiastic promotional efforts. Some top UWI officials do this, but others may probably believe that UWI should be above the fray.

On a regular basis, while Perkins mischaracterises the top tertiary institution in the Caribbean as "the intellectual ghetto", very few people challenge him. This sends the wrong signal to the market; for even if people are inclined to the view that Perkins is talking rubbish, they wish to have university people elaborating on the precise character of the rubbish. After all, which self-respecting fourth former wants to attend a place frequently described in the most disparaging terms, without challenge from the 'accused'.

So, of course, people must be free to study where they want; but the University of the West Indies must be prepared systematically to defend its wicket, even when the bowling is unfair and misleading.

Stephen Vasciannie is professor of international law, UWI, Mona; he also works part-time as a Deputy Solicitor General in the Attorney-General's Chambers.