Letter: Higher education challenges in the Caribbean
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| Published on Friday, November 20, 2009 |
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Dear Sir:
Caribbean Net News recently carried two important pieces of information regarding new challenges and developments in higher education in the Caribbean. The first deals with a statement by the Principal of the Mona campus of the UWI, and the other with co-operation between Cuba and Venezuela in higher education projects.
The UWI Principal, Professor Shirley, mentions the steps being taken by his institution to address challenges posed by the global economic system. He notes that the UWI has launched an engineering programme at the Mona campus, is engaged in research and providing advice on various projects, building the capacity for evidence based criticism, forming linkages with international research institutions, participating in various conferences, and engaging in joint research projects with these institutions.
The Principal has introduced a highly modern approach to university governance and relevance. The engineering programme at Mona would accommodate not only those students who would normally go to the St Augustine campus, but additional numbers that could not be accommodated because of issues of space. It would also mean that the specific concerns of Jamaican society would be met, and issues of cost minimized. It would also mean that the UWI would provide an alternative market to the University of Technology's programme.
Any university worth its salt would make research and consultancy an important aspect of its portfolio. It is therefore good to see that this is being given greater attention and prominence at Mona. Research would bring on line new innovations and initiatives, as well as new and different products, which could contribute to economic growth and development, and consultancy activities would mean more efficiency in project conception and management, as well as in its delivery. Value for money would also be an added factor.
Establishing contacts with international institutions could bring about richer experiences, joint co-operation on important issues related to technology and the economy, and the cultivation of closer interpersonal and institutional relationships. It further harmonizes the different perspectives and approaches, and prevents duplication of efforts.
Professor Shirley is, by his efforts, lifting the UWI from its provincialism, and into the big leagues. He is also causing it to respond to pressing developmental practical concerns, rather than being merely theory oriented. The encouragement of evidence based criticism, means providing objective reasons for both initial engagement in any activity, and evaluation of its end result as well. It ensures any output has undergone refinement, and that logic and scientific analysis pervade any initiative, so that its purpose and point has been justified.
The links being established between Cuban and Venezuelian higher educations bring about virtually the same result. Cubans pursuing post graduate studies in Venezuela will experience a different educational environment, with unique challenges, despite the general similarity among countries of the region. The meeting of minds of both countries will ensure common concerns are dealt with, which could assist other regional countries. Also, Cuba's initiative to take higher education to the municipalities contributes to the democratization of education, and the erasing of elitism from higher education. Higher education has often been seen as the province of the elite. However the demands of development, and the right of the individual to enjoy the highest level of education he or she is capable of, contributes to an egalitarian and just society, with skills that could solve the pressing issues facing Caribbean societies.
The initiatives of Professor Shirley at Mona, and the co-operation in higher education between Cuba and Venezuela are important and hopeful signs of the use of education, through collaboration, to practically confront and solve the issues presented by the world economy in particular, and the development process as a whole.
Oliver Mills | | | | Reads : 2184 | | | |
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