faculties of social sciences report for strategic planning retreat august 2009

FACULTIES OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Report for Strategic Planning Retreat

August 2009

PRESENTATION STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

Overarching Challenges & Responses Social Sciences: Special Circumstances Strategic Plan Themes - Review & Proposals

Teaching and Learning Graduate Studies Research and Innovation UWI-12 and Other Under Served Communities Transforming Culture International Partnerships Strengthening Regionality and National

Engagement Funding the Enterprise Outstanding Matters

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OVERACHING CHALLENGES & RESPONSES

CHALLENGES The Current Recession More Diverse Students Resources Already Stretched

RESPONSES

Maintain a Positive Approach Judge the Recession Correctly Design New Programmes e.g.

Cave Hill Taught MSc’s Mona’s Weekend Programmes St Augustine’s Expanded Evening University 3

OVERACHING CHALLENGES & RESPONSES

Maintain Cross Campus Cooperation Share Best Practices Harmonize where Appropriate Recognize Cross Campus Differences Learn from Other Campuses where ahead e.g.

Cave Hill: Research Clusters Mona: Dealing with “Student Matters” St Augustine: Workplace Protocol

4

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES SITUATION

CHALLENGES Limited Facilities High Student Numbers For Most Disciplines: External Competition

OPPORTUNITIES High Demand from Applicants Many Funding Possibilities High Profile Issues That Can Be Addressed

5

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Faculties Advancing Strategic Goals e.g. Teacher Training Harmonization without Sameness

Ideal Graduate Requires a Balance Disciplinarity VS Roundedness Specialization VS Exposure

Courses Hardly Cutback due to Low Numbers Need to be Responsive but Ready to Revive where Appropriate

6

GRADUATE STUDIES

Improved Administration Essential Research Students Need Support Sustainable Clusters Required Cooperation with IDUs on Training

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RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Working of Clusters at Departmental, Faculty, Unit, Centre and Institute, Intra and Inter Campus Levels require further discussion.

Examples of Research Clusters at Cave Hill and St Augustine: Transportation Research Integration Studies Sustainable Tourism Public Policy Research Economic Partnership Agreement Research Health Economics

8

UWI-12 & OTHER UNDERSERVED AREAS

Faculties Have Cooperated with: Open Campus TLI’s Launch of UWI, Mona WJC Teaching in San Fernando

Parameters of Cooperation Need Clarity on: Precise Roles Resource Sharing

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TRANFSFORMING CULTURE

Progress Made on Making Strategic Plan Central but More Work is Required

Planning Requires Improvement of Data Availability and Quality to Decision-Makers

Need Space for Leadership for Visioning and to Ensure Follow-through on Strategic Decisions

Decentralization and Devolution of Decision-Making on “Student Matters” Essential

10

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships Exist e.g. Vila Velha (Brazil) – Cave Hill Brown (USA) – Mona KwaZulu Natal (South Africa) – St Augustine

Must Be Strengthened and Diversified

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STRENGTHENING REGIONALITY AND NATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Academic Staff Engage in Research and Discourse Centered on National and Regional Concerns.

Curriculum Harmonization Efforts Promote a Greater Sense of Unity and Equivalency.

Regular Dean’s Meetings and Biennial Inter Campus Conference Making a Difference

Must Balance a Functional Regionality with a Recognition of National Imperatives

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FUNDING THE ENTERPRISE

Significant Initiatives Taken: Summer School Programmes Research Collaborations Taught Masters Programmes Faculty Consultancies

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OUTSTANDING MATTERS

Matters Not Yet Implemented Circulation of Colleagues Papers (Agreed) Student Charter (Concern that when Adopted

we Must be Able to Deliver on Promises)

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THANK YOU !