stan is a publication of & rewardingstan october – december 2 stan is a publication of the...

STAN October – December 2

STAN is a publication ofThe Marketing and Communications Office,

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.For more information please contact the Editor,Anna Walcott-Hardy: Tel. 662-9387 / 662-3330Fax. 662-3858 • E-mail:[email protected]

Design & layout: digitalart limitedPhotography: Richard Spence, Trasi Jang, Alex Smailes

CAMPUS NEWSPAPERCORRESPONDENTS

Science & Agriculture (Exts. 3325/3319/3273/3098/3124)Dr. Laura Roberts-Nkrumah/Cicero Lallo,Dr. Dow Maharaj/Dr. Margaret Bernard/

Dr. Anthony Achong

Humanities & Education (Exts. 2510/3338)Rawle Gibbons/Janet Fullerton-Rawlins

Bursary (Ext. 3382)Anthony Precilla

Campus Bookshop (Exts. 2223/3521)Charmaine Clovis-Mike/Jemma Wilson

Campus Information Technology Centre (CITS) (Ext. 3227)Claire Craig

CARDI (Exts. 1205-7)Kelly Belgrove

CARIRI (662-7161/2)Irma Burkett

Caribbean Centre for Monetary Studies (CCMS) (Ext. 2544)Arlene Caton

Campus Projects Office (CPO) (Ext. 2412)Ivan Ramlakhan

Centre for Criminology & Criminal Justice (Exts. 3382/3355)Vidya Hall & Ian Ramdhani

Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC) (Ext. 2217)Colleen Johnson

Engineering (Exts. 3073/2170)Dr. Hamid Farabi/Dr. Clement Imbert

Engineering Institute (Ext. 2175)Nicole Sumai Oliver

Guild of Graduates (Ext. 2338)Gervon Abraham

Gender Studies (Ext. 3573)Camille Antoine

Institute of International Relations (IIR) (Ext. 2011)Dr. Anthony Gonzales

Institute of Business (IOB) (662-4681/6975/6)Jai Leladharsingh

Law School (662-5860)Margaret Adams-Stowe

Main Library (Exts. 2261/2131)Linda Claudia de Four

Medical Sciences (Exts. 4614/5219)Dr. Monica Davis / Heather Woodroffe

Office of Sports and Physical Education (OSPE) (Ext. 3556)Jesse Blackman

Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES)[ISER] (Exts. 2037/2534)

Prof. Selwyn Ryan / Dr. Taimoon Stewart

School of Continuing Studies (645-3127)Keith Ward

Seismic Research Unit (662-4659)Stacey Edwards

Social Sciences & Law (Exts. 2039/3045)John Jeremie / Dr. Nasser Mustapha

Student Advisory Services (Ext. 2096)Victor Cowan

UWI Credit Union (Ext. 3350)Jill Thompson

Guild of Students (GOS) (Ext. 2160)Jason Nathu

UWI Campus Security (Ext. 2121)Wayne Richardson

Works Department (Ext. 2054)Selwyn Tom Pack

Office of the Principal (Ext. 2192)Indrani Bachan-Persad

The St. Augustine campus has had quite aneventful and rewarding year. During 2002 wehave witnessed continuous migration towardsexcellence by faculty, staff and students. Wehave also discerned a clearer commitment toliving our Vision and Values, which we havedeveloped together for our University andcampus.

Very recently we celebrated the 115th Anniversaryof the National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobagowhich is housed on this campus. Some weeksbefore we signed Memoranda of Agreement withthe Asa Wright Centre and the Buccoo Reef Trustso that the University could gain direct access toinformation, resources and support not hithertoavailable. The Herbarium, the Asa WrightCentre, the Buccoo Reef Trust will all play keyroles in the development of a Biodiversity Centreand related research programmes as will a rangeof departments on the campus.

The University has identified the principal pillarsof research. These include Biotechnology,Cultural Studies, Education, Health andWellness, Information Technology, NaturalResources, Environmental Studies andManagement, Social, Economic and GovernanceIssues. On this campus in addition to these wehave included Business Development,Entrepreneurship and Innovation. We intend,over the next five (5) years to build up the researchcapacity and increase the research andpublications output at this Campus. With thisin mind I have met with Heads of Departmentsand established a framework for theoperationalizing of the Strategic Plan atDepartmental level which includes the build upand strengthening of full time postgraduateresearch.

Departments have also been given a mandate tostrengthen their administrative and academicsupport infrastructure to improve the quality ofundergraduate education on campus and thisincludes regular office hours for faculty members,tutorial support and academic advising. Everyyear we face the challenge of expanding our intakeof students to meet student demand and societalexpectations and each day we must consciously

An Eventful& RewardingYear

E D I T O R I A L

strive to improve quality as well as productivity.This year we took in 3500 new undergraduateand graduate students, but this year we alsoturned away over 1000 students who met thequalification requirements for entry which meansthat we have an extraordinarily good group ofundergraduates including 142 nationalscholarship winners. It is my hope that we willbe able to expand enough to accommodate everystudent that meets the high standards for entryat this University.

It was also a great pleasure for me to be part ofthe first Matriculation ceremony on this campusin thirty years. Looking at the large audience ofbright and enthusiastic youngsters I could nothelp but feel a thrill. Now I look forward withgreat anticipation to congratulating over athousand graduates at our next graduationceremony. I also look forward to enjoying theambience of our new state of the art sports facilitywhich will be the graduation venue this year.At our graduation in November we will have theopportunity to celebrate the achievements ofthree highly respected members of ourcommunity – entrepreneur Arthur Lok Jack;novelist Earl Lovelace and journalist GeorgeJohn. All three men have had close ties to thecampus and have contributed significantly to oursociety.

We took some time over the last year toacknowledge the contribution of faculty, staff andstudents. Through the UWI/Guardian LifePremium Teaching Awards we focused on ouremphasis on quality teaching on this campusby celebrating some of the best exponents of theart (See UWI People). With St. Augustine leadingthe way, UWI/Guardian Life Teaching Awardswill be launched in Mona next year.

We also recognized dedicated service by our loyalemployees earlier in the year when UniversityRegistrar Gloria Barrett-Sobers came down tocelebrate with us and distribute awards to somewho had served as long as forty years.

This year students and the Campus communitygenerally, benefited from a number of initiativessuch as the introduction of the student shuttleservice, the launch of STARRS (St. AugustineResearch and Reference Service) a 24-7 internet-based research service at the Main Library. Wehave also witnessed continuous expansion of theoutreach programmes involving internships,mentorship and other programmes geared topreparing our students for the world of work.

EDITORIAL continued on PAGE 20

3 STAN October – December

It’s that time of year again when over 4,000students from high schools throughout Trinidadand Tobago travel to our Campus for StudentOpen Days from Wednesday 16th – 18th October2002. The Opening Ceremony at the JFKAuditorium will kick –off the event. At the eventCampus Principal Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie willspeak as well as Faculty of Medical SciencesLecturer Dr. Monica Davis and President of TheGuild of Students Mobafa Baker. The Ceremonywill be chaired by Director, Student Services,Victor Cowan.

This year students from Forms 3 to Form 6,parents and teachers will have the opportunityto have guided tours of our beautiful campus,obtain information on the University’s manyprogrammes, gain helpful career opportunitiesfor graduates and talk face-to face withrepresentatives from all of our academic depart-ments/units. This is a unique opportunity forstudents to gain an insight into life at the premiertertiary institution in the region.

UWIDEC HOLDS OPEN DAY IN TOBAGOThe University of The West Indies Distance Education Centre(UWIDEC) will hold an Open Day on Friday 25th October, 2002from 9:30 am- 5:00pm at The Mount Irvine Bay Hotel, Tobago.The day promises to be extremely enlightening and interactive,as professionals as well as fifth and sixth form students fromthroughout Tobago will have the opportunity to gain insightinto the University’s Distance Education Programmes, as wellas the overall offerings by faculties at the UWI St AugustineCampus. Throughout the day, Career Guidance sessions willalso be offered.

“We promise it will be a highly informative day. I know thatafter attending these workshops and presentations,Tobagonians will have the information that will empower themto make informed decisions to access tertiary level education,”Hilary Drakes, UWIDEC Site Coordinator for Tobago stated.

In a room with Cathedral ceilings, shelvesthat rise almost from the floor to the ceil-ing are filled with thousands of specimenswith the “stories” of plants that can befound in our part of the world. The Na-tional Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago(NHOTT) is a veritable house of treasures,with invaluable data that caninform a range of re-search from genetic sci-ence to economics andin the long term play avital role in the sustain-able development ofour country. Also ofimmense value is thedelicately wroughtwater-colour collec-tion of our localplants.

The herbarium will play avital role in the proposedBiodiversity Centrearticulated in the FSAstrategic plan 1999 –2004.

The NHOTT, internationallyregistered as TRIN, was established in1887 by J. H. Hart, the then Superinten-dent of the Botanic Gardens in Port ofSpain. In 1947, it was transferred to theImperial College of Tropical Agriculture(ICTA) which is now part of the Faculty ofScience and Agriculture (FSA), on the St.Augustine Campus. In 1973, the Her-barium gained national status when theGovernment of Trinidad & Tobago ac-cepted financial responsibility for ‘main-taining it as a national asset.’

A National TreasureCelebrates 115 Years

The NHOTT maintains a dry plant refer-ence collection of mainly the local vascu-lar flora, and a specialized library, fromwhich information about plants can begathered. The herbarium also provides aplant identification and information ser-vice to researchers, students and the gen-eral public.

Located on the first floorof the Frank Stockdalebuilding and staffed by

a curator, Yasmin S.Baksh-Comeau, two tech-

nicians, WinstonJohnson and DoreenJodhan, and a secre-tary/accountant,

Prudence Kim Rob-erts, it is open during workinghours to anyone seeking infor-mation about plants.

Apart from disseminating infor-mation when requested, the

staff is involved in augment-ing the collection and

maintaining the speci-mens up to interna-

tional standards. The library col-lection is accessible for consultation butthe books are not for loan. The main areaof research involves the systematics andecology of the flora of Trinidad & Tobago.This area of research involves the accu-rate identification and naming of plants,recording the habitats where they growand the degree of threat to their survival.Therefore the correct identification of aplant is crucial to our understanding ofhow we utilise, manage and protect thehabitats of our rich flora.

This semester promises to be one of the most exciting andchallenging for students and staff. In just a few monthsstudents will experience long nights of studying for examscombined with the euphoria of attending some of the mostinteresting events being hosted right on Campus. Some ofthe conferences include the 2002 Solar Conference (7th –12th October) and The Hindu Presence in Trinidad andTobago (25th –27th October). Then there is the thrill ofgraduation, all set to take place in the brand new, state-of-the-art Sports and Physical Education Facility (November1st & 2nd) complete with a cocktail reception after theceremonies, hosted by the Campus Principal. A definitemust for all is the Health Safety and Environment Week (5th

–8th November) as well as our Staff Celebration “togetheras one” (14th December) which promises to be anunforgettable night of dinner, dance and great liveentertainment. Undoubtedly ‘tis the season to be merry!

O N T H E C O V E R


J ’ O U V E R TCelebrating new beginnings, including the “opening” of events, facilities and programmes on campus.

CARIBBEAN LAW CONFERENCE IN PARADISEThe University of the West Indies Faculty of Law’s fourthannual Caribbean Commercial Law Workshop, the premierlaw conference in the Caribbean, was held from August 25 -27 at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, the Bahamas. Theworkshop’s theme “Beyond Borders: Advising Clients inChanging Times,” examined multi-jurisdictional issues ofwhich lawyers must be aware in order to advise theirbusiness clients if they are to meet the challenges in achanging legal environment. Continuing Legal Education(CLE) credit is anticipated. As in the past, this year’sworkshop has attracted an impressive roster of speakers,all of whom are internationally recognized experts. The mostrecent developments in banking, telecommunications, cor-porate governance, intellectual property, hospitality andtourism and U.S. taxation issues were explored at theConference which was sponsored by Holland & Knight, Cable& Wireless, Computitle, Oceanic Trust, Martindale-Hubbelland the Bahamas Financial Services Board. “Developmentsin Banking Law” was examined by a panel under thechairmanship of Michel Deschamps, Partner, McCarthyTetrault, Montreal. “Corporate Governance After Enron”discussed by a panel chaired by Barry Reiter, Chairman Tech-nology Group, Partner and Member of the Executive Com-mittee, Torys, New York, Toronto, while “Hospitality, Tourismand Resort Development: Legal & Business Trends in theCaribbean” was explored under the chairmanship of RobertChasnow, Partner, Holland and Knight LLP, Washington, D.C.Chris Gibson Partner, Steptoe and Johnson, London chairedthe discussion on “Protecting Intellectual Property in theCaribbean.” Eric Fisherman, Partner Holland and Knight andhis team examined “The Changing Environment ofTelecommunications in the Caribbean” while Robert Hudson,Senior Partner, Baker and McKenzie, Miami chaired the four-member panel exploring “U.S. Tax Issues: Planning IdeasAnd Recent Developments.”

EXPANSION WORKS AT THE SOUTHUNIVERSITY CENTREUnder the direction of Resident Tutor/Head of School ofContinuing Studies Lennox Bernard, and South Centre Co-ordinator Clive Golah, The University Centre at PadmoreStreet, Cross Crossing, San Fernando continues to expand,with the addition of improved library facilities, a moderncomputer laboratory and more classrooms. The new facilitywill considerably increase the intake of students, especiallyin the field of Information Technology and Computer Studies.The complex, purchased from Mr. George Singh, whooperated it as St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, wasoriginally opened amidst considerable pomp and ceremonyin October 1989 in the presence of the newly appointed Chan-cellor Sir Shridath Ramphal, the then Director of the UWISchool of Continuing Studies, Professor Rex Nettleford,Minister of Education Mr. Clive Pantin, and Mayor of SanFernando Dr. Romesh Mootoo.

In November 1999, waves caused by Hur-ricane Lenny pummeled the west coastsof the Leeward Caribbean islands aswinds of more than 150 mph wroughtdamage in excess of US $268 million dol-lars to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica,St. Lucia and Grenada. There has alwaysbeen a dire need for our region to be pre-pared for natural disasters and manageour coasts. And so the OAS/UWI CoastalInfrastructure Design, Construction andMaintenance Training Programme(CDCM) has been extremely impactful inthe Caribbean. The objective of theprogramme is to reduce vulnerability ofcoastal infrastructure in the region andexpand the capacity for appropriate de-sign, construction and maintenance ofcoastal infrastructure works through aseries of training courses.

The well delivered programme was ex-ecuted from 2001 by the Unit for Sus-tainable Development and Environmentof the Organisation of American States,in close collaboration with the Engineer-

ing Faculty of the UWI, St. Augustine. Afurther link was also established betweenthe UWI and Old Dominion University.

Head of The Department of Civil Engi-neering, Raymond Charles stated that“the programme is extremely relevant andwill improve our regional capacity to dealwith coastal problems not just relatingto hurricanes and storms but manage-ment of the coastal area year round. Thecoastal zone is a main economic resourcefor many islands and we must strive tobuild the capacity to deal with issues ofplanning, building and managing thesezones.”

This is the first time that a course inCoastal Engineering is being taught atUWI. There are also plans for the devel-opment of an Advanced Diploma inCoastal Zone Management, an M.Sc inCoastal Zone Engineering and Manage-ment which will begin in 2003 and willalso be offered via the internet.

Coastto Coast

It is expected that over the next three to five years over 50–60 Project man-agement professionals will be sought in this country. And so the M.Sc ProjectManagement is a graduate part-time course being offered by the UWI thatseeks to meet this demand locally and regionally. The Faculty of Engineeringhas consulted with the Joint Consultative Council (JCC), the Inter AmericanDevelopment Bank (IDB Trinidad and Tobago) and the Ministry of Educationwith the aim of developing a programme that would meet the demand for welltrained project management professionals in energy, construction, servicesand commercial sectors. An interfaculty committee spearheaded by DeanClement Sankat and coordinated by Winston Suite will manage the programme.

The programme involves the Faculties of Engineering and Social Sciences,and the UWI Institute of Business. The Department of Civil Engineering willbe the lead department, providing management and quality assurance forthe delivery of the programme which began in September 2002. The two-yearpart time programme will give graduates an international accreditation edgeas it has been designed to position the graduate en route to professionalregistration with the Association For Project Management, England, the JointConsultative Council (T&T) and the Project Management Institute, USA.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH AN EDGE

The University Centre at Padmore Street, San Fernando


C A M P U S A L U M U N I

“I’m proud to be a UWI graduate be-cause I think the University offers oneof the best first degrees in theworld…it’s a true regional body.” Rob-ert Riley is truly an enigmatic individual.A self-described “Caribbean man”, he isalso the head of a company that between2002 and 2010 could contribute 20% ofBritish Petroleum’s total upstream growthand whose revenue stream represents70% of foreign exchange earnings of thecountry in which it operates.

As President of British Petroleum ofTrinidad and Tobago (BPTT), Riley is un-assuming, yet confident, witty, highly in-telligent and well-versed in the arts andsciences. An interview with Robert Rileyfeels more like a rap session or Sundaylime with a friend - he just relaxes andgives you his full attention. At his officeoverlooking the Queen’s Park Savannah,the former home of a well-known localhotel, hospitality is key.

Riley, who came to UWI in the 1970s togain his first degree in Agriculture speaksfondly about his undergraduate years “Iwas awarded a scholarship so I came toUWI…I had always had aspirations to bean agriculturalist…I had a full UWIprogramme and I enjoyed it”.

In those days Riley would “hold court” inthe main library discussing a range ofissues with a group of his peers and “any-one else who would listen”. Riley’s nos-talgia for the St. Augustine Campus isalmost tangible – those were the days ofBrother Resistance, waxing warm withhis talent, days of enjoying a leisurelygame of cricket on campus and listeningto the music of the Calypso greats, aswell as Reggae legends like Marley andPeter Tosh in the Common Room.

Riley also spoke of his admiration formany of his lecturers. One that left anindelible mark on the young student wasthe “colourful” Dr. Richard Braithwaite.“He was one of my best lecturers who wasmotivating, exciting and he was alsowidely published,” he explained. Another

lecturer greatly admired by Riley was Pro-fessor Ahmad, an international icon whodevoted his life to the study of soils. Rileyalso enjoyed the field trips to the Aranjuezfarms and voluntary service programmes.Years later, while studying law at the CaveHill Campus, riding around campus on amotorcycle, dressed in his infamousthree-quarter shorts, he would have theBarbados experience. An accomplishedpianist and guitarist, Riley would also findtime to sing with The UWI folk choir andenjoy cricket and hockey on campus.

“I have experienced more than being aTrinidadian by being a UWI man. WestIndians are just as capable of runningthese [multi- national] institutions asanyone else in the world…talent and abil-ity comes from anywhere.”

Riley joined Amoco in 1990 as an attor-ney and rapidly rose through the ranks.He left the company in 1995 to work forBWIA and returned a year later to Amocoas vice president of government affairsand law. After the merger of Amoco andBP he became business unit leader anda year later he was offered the post ofPresident of BPTT. Today, approximately70% of nationals that are in leadershiproles at BPTT are UWI graduates.

“We want to be a model for the way inter-national companies should invest in asmall developing nation, “ Riley ex-plained to Horizon magazine re-cently, “…to produce positive re-sults for both the country and thecompany.” As a company that iscommitted to the development ofthe country and the region,BPTT has invested millions ofdollars over the years in bur-saries and in the support ofprogrammes at the UWI. AndRiley has stated that he iscommitted to “forging an evendeeper link with the Univer-sity”.

He also explained that as agraduate of the UWI, he was

able to gain first hand knowledge and in-sight into issues like “how a company like(BPTT) can operate to become more of an‘onshore company’ that an ‘offshore one’.”

In a room filled with flowers and congratu-latory notes on his recent birthday, andwith paintings by celebrated artists likeKaren Sylvester and Ramon Navarroadorning the walls, one particular imagecaught our attention – two beautifullyframed, delicately wrought pieces by histwo daughters. When asked whether hewould send his daughters to UWI, Rileyreplied almost immediately with a “yes”accompanied by one of those enigmaticsmiles that is surely a Riley trademark.

BPTT President speaks about life on and off Campus

Robert Riley – BPTT President


PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIESPROVIDE INTERNSHIPIn July, Agostini Pharmaceuticals and Smith Robertson andCompany Limited, in collaboration with Wyeth Global Phar-maceuticals, presented a research grant of $5,000 to thePsychiatry Unit, Faculty of Medial Sciences, The Universityof the West Indies to facilitate a two-month summerstudentship in Psychiatry for medical student, Chereis Bruce.This is yet another example of the commitment of the UWIto form mutually rewarding partnerships with the privatesector.

Representatives of Agostini and Smith Robertson present thecheques to Chereis Bruce at the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Bruceis flanked by Dr. Phyllis-Pitt Miller, Dean of the Faculty and Dr. GerardHutchinson, Head of the Psychiatry Unit.

VISIT OF PRESIDENT OFINRA-FRANCE TO ST. AUGUSTINEThe initiatives of and collaboration between Dr. Alain Xande,President of INRA (l’Institut National de la RecherchéAgronimique) Antilles-Guyane, and Dr. Gary Wayne Garcia,Senior Lecturer of the Department of Food Production, Fac-ulty of Science and Agriculture, led to a visit to the St. Au-gustine Campus at the end of June by Dr. Bertrand Hervieu,the Chairman of the Board of INRA. He was accompaniedby Dr. Alain Xande, Dr. Philippe Ferlin, Director of Interna-tional Relations INRA, Dr. Durant, Personal Assistant to theDirector General and Dr. Mamy, Advisor on INRA Policy.INRA is the largest Agricultural Research Institution in theEuropean Union.

While at St. Augustine, Dr. Hervieu met then Deputy Princi-pal, Professor Bridget Brereton, then Pro Vice-ChancellorResearch, Professor Baldwin Mootoo, the Dean of the Fac-ulty of Science and Agriculture, Professor Charles McDavid,the Campus Co-ordinator for Graduate Studies and Research,Professor Frank Gumbs, Dr. Richard Braithwaite, Dr. RanjitSingh, Dr. Patmanathan Umaharan, Mr. Cicero Lalla and Dr.Gary Garcia. They discussed areas of potential collabora-tion between INRA and UWI.

Dr. Hervieu also delivered a lecture on the ‘Multifunctionalityof Agriculture ‘at the Learning Resource Centre . The visitwill further cement the links between The University of theWest Indies and INRA in the field of agricultural research.Joint projects on tomato diseases and the production andconservation of neo-tropical wildlife species are being de-veloped. Several other joint projects are under consider-ation.

U W I P E O P L E

CelebratingTogether As OneGet ready for the end of the yearcelebration, as we observe the sea-son together in style–eat, drink andhave a fantastic lime on Saturday14th December 2002 at the Cen-tre of Excellence, Macoya. From7:00 pm until… we will all enjoy adelectable dinner, before we danceto the sweet sounds of Blue Ven-tures, popular DJ CYN and LosAlumnos De San Juan. It promisesto be One Unforgettable Night ofCelebration.

CONGRATULATIONS AND FAREWELL to Hazel Thompson-Ahye, Director ofthe Legal Aid Clinic, Hugh Wooding Law School, who has been appointed SeniorTutor at the Eugene Dupuch Law School, in the Bahamas.

Welcome to the UWI and congratulationsto Christine Laptiste, Lecturer in HealthEconomics at the Economics Departmentand to Dr. Madaniyo Mutabazi, Lecturerin Transportation, Engineering & Man-agement in the Civil Engineering Depart-ment.

Congratulations to Dr. B. S. Bhatt onhis new appointment as Head of the De-partment of Mathematics and Com-puter Science. Dr. Bhatt joined the de-partment in August 1978 and has sincerisen to the rank of Senior Lecturer inthe field of Applied Mathematics. His re-search interests are Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flows, MHD flows, flowsthrough porous media and Bio-math-ematics. He has been a visiting scientistat the Department of Chemical Engineer-ing, Northwestern University, Evanston,Illinois (USA) and a senior visitor at theDepartment of Applied Mathematics andTheoretical Physics, Cambridge Univer-sity, (England). We will feature moreHeads of departments in upcoming issues.

Congratulations to Samuel S.Ramsewak, Senior Leturer in Obstetricsand Gynaecology in the Faculty of Medi-cal Sciences on his recent promotion toProfessor.

OutSTANdingScientists

To Indra Haraksingh we say congratula-tions on being presented with the ‘Out-standing Scientist’ award at The WorldEnergy Congress VII, which was held inCologne, Germany. At the Conference,Haraksingh, a part-time demonstrator atour Department of Physics, presented thepaper entitled ‘Thermal Performance of aSolar Cooker Powered by A NaturalConvection Flat Plate Collector.’ Theconference was highly successful with par-ticipants from over one hundred countrieswho shared ideas on ten topics that rangedfrom gender to fuel cells, from energy topoverty reduction. In Cologne, the pro-found contribution of the late ProfessorOliver Headley to renewable energy washonoured when the World RenewableEnergy Network decided to name an awardafter the highly esteemed Professor.Professor Headley was a member of theNetwork and a regular participant at theCongress.

KUDOS toSurrendra Surujdeo-Mahadeo

for winning the PH Gregory Awardfor best research paper in thearea of phytopathology at theBritish Phytopathological

Society Conference.


COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES NEEDFOR VIOLENCE STUDYThe Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice hasreceived two grants totalling $95,000 to study deviantbehaviour among secondary school youth. ProfessorRamesh Deosaran, Director of the Centre, recently re-ceived one of two donations $50,000 from TrinidadHilton. Education Minister Hazel Manning announcedthat the second sum of $45,000 was given by the gov-ernment.

The Minister said the research project would focus onunderstanding the phenomenon of youth deviance inschools by examining the civic attitudes of youth, thepossible causes of their deviant behaviour, social back-ground, social capital, self-esteem and potential devi-ance. The five-year nationwide study of more than 3,000secondary school students is titled “Youth Deviance andCivic Attitudes in Secondary Schools: Strategies forGuidance, Rehabilitation and Training.”

The Analysis will allow researchers to develop an inter-vention module to be called “The Centre for Criminol-ogy and Criminal Justice – Hilton Trinidad Model forHealth Schools.” Minister Manning said the module isaimed at significantly reducing, if not eliminating, theincidence of school indiscipline and the outbreak of vio-lence plaguing several schools. The research projectcomplements several initiatives which the Ministry ofEducation has undertaken as it grapples with social de-viance among secondary school students.Professor Deosaran stated that Form One students rang-ing from 11 to 14 years of age from seven unnamedsecondary schools have been interviewed.

He explained that the research will address, inter alia,which students are likely to become deviant and whichones will remain in the “mainstream of civic society,”why secondary schools differ so much, and the conse-quences of deviant behaviour.

Graduates of the Nursing Courses

TO YOUR HEALTH!Students and staff of the Certificate in Nursing Educa-tion and Nursing Administration Course, 2001–2002enjoyed the closing ceremony at the School of Educa-tion in July. At the celebratory event select graduatesof the course were presented with awards and prizes.This is yet another milestone for the School of Educa-tion as a second class of students graduates from thisessential programme.

UWI /Guardian Life Premium Teaching AwardsOn 27th September six outstanding UWI lecturers were celebrated at the annual UWI Guardian Life TeachingAwards Ceremony at the Learning Resource Centre. To Dr. Brian Copeland, Dr. Shirin Haque-Copilah, Dr.Noel Kallicharan, Dr. Paula Morgan, Dr. Dan Ramdath and Dr. Pathmanathan Umaharan we give aspecial STANding ovation for your commitment to your students, the art of teaching and to the developmentof new and creative learning strategies. For yet another year, the University has worked alongside GuardianLife to reward the dedication to excellence by teachers at our Campus. This successful recognition andreward scheme is testimony to the achievements that can be made by partnerships between tertiaryinstitutions and the private sector. Check out our website www.uwi.tt to meet the awardees.

The Power and the Glory… of Learning

U W I P E O P L E

Clockwise from top: Dr. Brian Copeland, Dr. Dan Ramdath, Dr. Noel Kallicharan,Dr. Shirin Haque-Copilah, Dr. Pathmanathan Umaharan, Dr. Paula Morgan


CARLISLE CHANG COLLECTION AT UWIThe work of acclaimed artist Carlisle Chang has helped usforge our history and identity as a Caribbean people. Andso it is an honour to have the Book Collection of this cel-ebrated artist at The University of the West Indies. Thelibrary of 121 books collected by the late artist CarlisleChang,was bequeathed to the Centre for Creative andFestival Arts (CCFA) Festival Library and Cultural Resourcecentre by the estate of the late artist who died on 6 May2001 at the age of 80. Chang, a painter, muralist andCarnival designer seized the public imagination from the1950s onwards, alongside his contemporaries Sybil Atteckand M.P. Alladin. To his credit, Chang was a member ofthe committee (which included the late George Bailey) thatdesigned the nation’s Coat-of-Arms and the National Flag.

Chang’s passion for the arts is reflected in the books, whichrelate to photography, dance and Carnival arts. The col-lection also holds personal book gifts.

The books are available for viewing. For further enquiries,please contact Niala Dwarika-Bhagat, Documentalist atCCFA, telephone 645-3232, Ext. 3495.

Campus Librarian Dr. Margaret Rouse-Jones looks at thecollection which was handed over by Ambassador Ryo Takagi

JAPANESE EMBASSY DONATES BOOKS TOUWI LIBRARIES AND LANGUAGE CENTREAt a recent “handing-over’”ceremony at The University ofthe West Indies, (U.W.I.) St. Augustine, Ambassador RyoTakagi of the Embassy Of Japan donated a collection ofbooks, audiocassettes, video-tapes and pictorial materialto the UWI Centre for Language Learning for the Japa-nese Language Programme. The Embassy also providedthe UWI Main Library with a collection of books on a widerange of topics including literature, politics, economicsand history. The donation is part of the Japan Foundation’sLibrary Support Programme. Established in 1972, theJapan Fou.ndation is dedicated to international cultural ex-change promoting a greater understanding among nationsand encouraging “goodwill among the people’s of theworld.” At the Ceremony Campus Librarian and ActingUniversity Librarian, Dr. Margaret Rouse-Jones welcomedguests and thanked the Embassy for the generous dona-tion. Campus Principal Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Am-bassador Ryo Takagi, Dr. Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh andMrs. Kazuko Rankine also spoke at the event.

The J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust hastouched the lives of many people inTrinidad & Tobago including those at TheUniversity of the West Indies, through itsphilanthropic contributions. The Trusthas provided generous support for theCentre for Gender and DevelopmentStudies and for the School of Education.

The representative of the Fernandes fam-ily and a member of the Board of Trust-ees of the J.B. Fernandes Trust, LuisaFernandes Chapman, visited the St.Augustine Campus on 12 June. As a re-sult of the support provided by the Trust,the Centre for Gender and DevelopmentStudies has been able to hire a Researchand Outreach Officer, Camille Antoine,whose responsibilities include researchon gender-related projects as well as out-reach projects for a number of theCentre’s clients including the ministry ofGender Affairs, UNDP, NIHERST and theFaculty of Science and Agriculture,among others. Luisa Fernandes

I N T H E N E W S

LUISA FERNANDES CHAPMANVISITS CAMPUS

Chapman met the staff of the Centre andheard about the academic and outreachwork as well as its needs. She expressedher admiration for the work being under-taken by the Centre. The J.B. FernandesMemorial Trust has also been a very gen-erous supporter of the Children’s Centreand Family Development Centre of theSchool of Education. When she visited theCentre, Fernandes Chapman met thePrincipal and staff as well as the childrenand heard about the centre’s accomplish-ments, its needs and its plans to continueits innovative work with children.

During her visit, Fernandes Chapmanalso visited the Main Library where shesaw the West Indiana Collection, includ-ing the diaries of Sir William Young, Gov-ernor of Tobago, and the drawings ofCarlisle Chang, as well as the Eric Will-iams Collection. In the absence of thePrincipal, the then Deputy Principal, Pro-fessor Bridget Brereton, hosted a lun-cheon in honour of Fernandes Chapman.

L to R- Luisa Fernandes Chapman of J.B. Fernandes Trust, Kathleen Helenese-Paul, Librarianand Dr. David Rampersad, Director of the UWI Business Development Unit at the Main Library

L to R –Luisa Fernandes Chapman, Dr. David Rampersad, Prof. Bridget Brereton then Deputy Principal,Dr. Hamid Ghany, Lecturer, Department of Behavioural Sciences, Prof. Gurmohan Kochhar, present Deputy Principal,and Carol Keller, Lecturer, School of Education enjoying cocktails.


EXTRA EXTRA….READ ALL ABOUT ITIt’s a must read for every engineer - the West Indian Jour-nal of Engineering (WIJE), an international publication,edited by Professor A.K Sharma, Editor, which focuseson the Caribbean region. Since its inception in 1961, ithas been published twice annually by the Faculty of Engi-neering at The University of the West Indies and the Councilof Caribbean Engineering Organisations in Trinidad andTobago. WIJE aims at contributing to the development ofviable engineering skills, techniques, management prac-tices and strategies relating to improving performance ofenterprises, community, and quality of life of human be-ings at large.

Apart from its international focus and insights, WIJE alsoaddresses itself specifically to the Caribbean dimensionwith regard to identifying and supporting the emergingresearch areas and promoting various engineering disci-plines and their applications in the region.

MONTSERRAT COUNTRY CONFERENCE –13 – 14 NOVEMBER 2002The University of the West Indies, School of ContinuingStudies will be hosting the fourth conference in the Coun-try Conference Series. Under the theme Beyond Walls:Multi-disciplinary Perspectives, the School organisesmulti-disciplinary academic conferences on matters re-lated to each non-campus country on a cyclical basis. Theaim of the conference series is to stimulate and highlightresearch in each country by academics in the country, UWIstaff based at campuses, and by scholars in other institu-tions with an interest in Caribbean studies.

Previous conferences were held in St. Kitts-Nevis,Dominica, Belize and Grenada.For more information please call:Ms. Simone AugierSchool of Continuing StudiesThe University of the West Indies, MonaJamaicaE-MAIL: [email protected]: 876-977-3443

In a survey of almost 25% of thoseattending the Forum, 92% felt the firsttime event was worthwhile, with over 57% rating the presentations as very goodand 5% giving an excellent rating. How-ever, 2% thought the forum was not ben-eficial. Among those who gave the eventa poor rating, many felt that the presen-tations were average to very good andtheir understanding of the Vision andValues of the University and Campus verygood to excellent. Among the presenta-tions which staff found most beneficialwere Principal Bhoendradatt Tewarie’spower point presentation on AchievingThe Vision – What Needs To Be Done,Sandra Gift’s presentation on The Issueof Quality and Campus Registrar WilliamIton’s Working Together for A Higher Qual-ity University, as well as the Power of Vi-sion video.

There was also a great deal of enthusi-asm for the Open Forum or ‘rap session’where members of staff were given theopportunity to discuss ‘burning issues’with the Principal, Deputy Principal,Campus Bursar, Registrar and Librarianas well as Faculty Deans. Some of theissues staff felt they would like to haveaddressed included: transparency andmerit in academic promotions; new ap-proaches to scholarly publications; en-hancement of the entrance to the Uni-versity; improved PostGraduate facilities;the need for remedial support for certainmembers of staff; expanded teaching andparking facilities; and the need for morecollaboration among faculties. Theprogramme was Chaired by Deputy Prin-cipal Gurmohan Kochhar who at the clos-ing, invited guests to The Office of theCampus Principal for a cocktail reception.

I N T H E N E W S

AN ACADEMIC FORUMwith Vision

The sky was an ominousshade of slate grey, but thank-fully the rain held up as over400 members of our academicstaff made their way to theLearning Resource Centre ona hot and humid afternoon inSeptember. They came to at-tend an Academic Forum fo-cused on sharing the Vision,Strategic Initiatives of ourCampus as well as discussingthe way ahead.


UWI SCIENTIST SELECTEDFOR WORLD CONFERENCEDr. Harold Ramkissoon, Professor in Mathematics at theSt. Augustine Campus and former President of the Carib-bean Academy of Sciences, participated in the PugwashConference on “Sciences and World Affairs” at the Univer-sity of California, U.S.A., in August. Participants from over50 countries discussed a range of topics from Globalizationand Technology, Eliminating Nuclear Weapon and MissileDefence to Uses of Space. Professor Ramkissoon was theonly participant invited from the Caribbean. The PugwashConferences are based on the recognition of the responsi-bility of scientists for their inventions. The Conferences haveunderlined the catastrophic consequences of the use ofnuclear and new weapons, and have brought together sci-entists and decision–makers to collaborate across politicaldivides on constructive proposals for reducing the nuclearthreat. These conferences, held every four years, came intoexistence as a result of the 1955 Albert Einstein-BertrandRussell manifesto which was supported by a number ofNobel Laureates.

“THE BRAIN TRAIN” IS LAUNCHED ON TRACKProf. Hilary Beckles, (Pro Vice-Chancellor and Cave Hill Cam-pus Principal), Anthony Perry, (Project Officer, Board forUndergraduate Studies) and Dr. Peter Whiteley, (Director,Quality Assurance), all at the Mona Campus, Jamaica re-cently launched their book ‘Quality Higher Education andCaribbean Development” at the second annual conferenceof the Association of Higher Education Administrators(ACHEA) at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, on11 July 2002. Two hundred and ten delegates representinga total of twenty-five different higher education institutionsout of Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Lucia, St.Kitts, Barbados, Guyana, U.S.A., Canada, U.K., France, Ma-laysia, South Africa and Australia were present at the Launch.

The book focuses on two key issues: that universities andcolleges should not just teach and train academics but beplaces for critical thinking, social reflection, research andscientific development; and that there is an important needfor higher education institutions to periodically review, re-tool and revise their modus operandi and to be engaged inprocesses of self-evaluation and change so as to remainuseful and vibrant.

The Brain Train provides a focus on the UWI experience inquality assurance, which has undergone considerable de-velopment since 1996. The book also offers information onquality assurance systems elsewhere.

S T U D E N T L I F E

The University of the West Indies, St.Augustine Campus gained the support of FirstCitizens Bank (FCB) for yet another year, astitle sponsor of the Campus’ orientation/registration activities for new and returningstudents. At a recent media launch FCBAssistant General Manager, KrishendathMaharaj presented a $130,000 cheque toCampus Principal Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarieat the FCB penthouse suite on AbercrombyStreet, Port of Spain in support of UWI Life2002.

As part of its commitment to creating astudent-centred University, the St. AugustineCampus expanded its orientation programmeto include two weeks of orientation/registration/workshop activities for new andreturning students from 26 August to 6 Sep-tember 2002.

The first week of activities entitled UWI Life

2002 ran from 26 – 30 August . The Guildof Students hosted the second week of ac-tivities, entitled UWItopia, from 2 – 6September a complementary orientationprogramme also filled with exciting events,workshops, games and concerts. Thiscampus orientation programme which beganin 1999, has grown considerably in popular-ity each year and over two thousand new stu-dents took part in this event in 2002.

The key objectives of these orientationprogrammes are to provide a smoothtransition for students into University life, andto create an atmosphere where quality,rewarding and lasting relationships arefostered among students, staff and faculty.The two-week event was organized by aCommittee headed by Director of StudentAdvisory Services, Victor Cowan, withrepresentative bodies from across theUniversity.

FCB SUPPORTS UWI LIFE 2002

Dr. Peter Whiteley and Prof. Hilary Becklessign a copy of the Brain Train.

Principal Bhoe Tewarie officially opening UWI Life 2002

Enjoying the Opening Ceremony are: (from left ) – Principal, Dr. Bhoe Tewarie, Minister of Education,Hazel Manning, FCB’s Larry Howai, Deputy Principal Prof. Gurmohan Kochhar,and Ulric Warner, President Guild of Graduates



New and returning students at The Uni-versity of the West Indies, St. AugustineCampus enjoyed a slew of activities dur-ing the two weeks of orientation at UWILife 2002 and UWItopia. From a talentand comedy show and a games afternoonfeaturing an All Fours competition andother board games, to the Freshers’ Party,students took part in a variety of socialevents. At the recent Freshers’ Party,hosted by 96.1 WEFM, first year studentsdanced to the music of the popular Jug-glers crew and enjoyed drinks includingfree Nestle Vibe.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENTIN BLACK AND WHITEThe Council of Legal Education, Hugh Wooding Law School,recently announced the publication of texts by Dana Seetahaland Karen Nunez-Tesheira. Dana Seetahal is an Attorney-at-Law and lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School. Sheholds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the WestIndies, a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the FloridaState University and is a Fulbright Scholar. Her book is en-titled “Commonwealth Caribbean Criminal Practice and Pro-cedure” and fills a lacuna in the jurisprudence of the Com-monwealth Caribbean. This book provides a detailed analy-sis of the statute and common law in relation to criminalprocedure in the region. Recent developments in the field,including Privy Council cases as well as new legislation, arealso reviewed. This book was published in August 2001.Karen Nunez-Tesheira is an Attorney-at-Law at the HughWooding Law School. Her text entitled The Legal Profes-sion in the English-Speaking Caribbean was launched at theLa Boucan, Trinidad Hilton on Tuesday 1 March 2002. Thisis Nunez-Tesheira’s second publication; the first being Non-Contentious Probate Practice in the English-Speaking Car-ibbean which was launched in 1998. Her second book fo-cused on topics such as legal ethics and responsibilities,professional negligence, misconduct and discipline. Thefeature address at the launch was delivered by Senator, theHonourable Glenda Morean, Attorney General of Trinidadand Tobago. Also participating in the launch were theHonourable Rolston Nelson, S.C., Court of Appeal Judge,the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, C. DennisMorrison, Q.C., the President of the Law Association, KarlHudson-Phillips and Madame Justice Annestine Sealey, Prin-cipal of the Hugh Wooding Law School.

FACULTY RESEARCH DAYA research day is being organized for the Faculty of MedicalSciences at St. Augustine and is carded for Thursday 23rdJanuary, 2003. It is anticipated that this activity will providea forum for graduate students and Faculty members to sharetheir research activities with colleagues, foster scientific dia-logue, and promote inter-disciplinary collaboration. Submis-sions should be restricted to work done at the Faculty ofMedical Sciences or in collaboration with Faculty members.Preference for a poster or oral presentation should be indi-cated. Prizes will be given for best presentation, best posterand best collaborative research project. Abstracts must bewritten in word or wordperfect and both a printed and elec-tronic copy submitted. Submissions via electronic mailwould be preferred.

PLEASE SEND SUBMISSIONS TO:Prof. Amanda McRaeAnatomy unitFaculty of Medical SciencesUWI, St. AugustineTel: 645-2640 Ext. 4633Fax: 662-9148E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Dan RamdathBiochemistry unitFaculty of Medical SciencesUWI, St. AugustineTel: 645-2640 Exts. 4642/4643/2776Fax: 662-1873E-mail: [email protected]

Deadline for receipt of papers is 18 October 2002

FRESHERS GET ORIENTED

Although students met technologicalchallenges in registering on-line, manywelcomed the opportunity to attend thesocial and educational events held over atwo-week period on campus. One of themore popular events was the OpeningCeremony where over 800 students lis-tened attentively to the Campus Princi-pal, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie as he ad-vised them to “work as a team to build avital and sustainable learning commu-nity.” Larry Howai, CEO of First CitizensBank and the Minister of Education Ha-zel Manning also addressed students atthe ceremony at the JFK Auditorium onAugust 26.

Entertainment at the UWI Life Talent Concert

New and returning students getting first handinformation at the various information booths

Students getting a ‘kick out of life’ at UWI Life


INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION FORMECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAMMESAT UWIThe Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Univer-sity of the West Indies has received International Accredita-tion of its B.Sc. (Eng.) programmes by the Institution ofMechanical Engineers of the United Kingdom (IMechE) upto the intake year of 2002. The B.Sc. (Eng.) (Hons.) Me-chanical Engineering, B.Sc. (Eng.) (Hons.) Industrial Engi-neering and B.Sc. (Eng.) (Hons.) Mechanical Engineeringwith Biosystems Engineering programmes have gained in-ternational accreditation. The Institution has backdated ac-creditation for the Industrial Engineering Programme to 1998and 1999 and for the Mechanical Engineering Programmeto include 1999 admissions.

Established in 1847 to promote excellence and quality inMechanical Engineering Education, IMechE accredits Engi-neering Degree programmes around the world, using stan-dards for Engineering Education set by the EngineeringCouncil of the United Kingdom. The Institution has pointedto the need for the Department to upgrade its laboratorycapability. The Campus Administration, the Faculty and theDepartment are working together to ensure this upgradeoccurs, not only for the Department of Mechanical Engi-neering but in all other Departments of the Faculty wherethis need arises. Accreditation of the Department’sprogrammes to Chartered Engineering (CEng) status in thefuture will depend on an acceptable 4–year programme ofEngineering Education. This is being vigorously pursued inthe Faculty and with its outside stakeholders.

The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Clement Sankat is stronglysupportive of the Faculty’s attempts to maintain the qualityof its programmes and its Engineering/Surveying graduates.This is being driven through the internal quality assurancemechanism of the UWI as well as through the internationalaccreditation process. The accreditation of theseprogrammes is part of the continuing thrust for the UWI toprovide a globally recognized brand of education to its stu-dents.

Held in the second week of orientation,the Matriculation Ceremony was also anoverwhelming success where over 2,700new students, dressed in black and white,were formally welcomed into the UWI fam-ily at the JFK Quadrangle. In a tapedaudio-recording, Vice–Chancellor RexNettleford advised students to be con-scious of one “very important thing;and that is – Education is not simplya matter of staying up late, studyingfor examinations, and finally receiv-ing a certificate, diploma, or degreeto prove that you have covered theprepared syllabus…the word “Educa-tion” means far more than that. Itmeans a leading out of that which youhave learnt; and it challenges you totake this new information, thinkabout it, and use it creatively, and askyourselves how you can, in turn, useit to change things in this knowledgeeconomy of ours.”

The Campus Principal also welcomed stu-dents and apologised for the disruptionsin registration during the first week. Hepromised to work towards expanding theprogrammes and facilities at the Univer-sity so that more students can benefitfrom attending the premier tertiary insti-tution in the region.


“We are indeed very fortunate thatour incoming student population rep-resents the cream of your generationin Trinidad and Tobago and the Car-ibbean. Of the 21 students who placedin the first five among the top 500worldwide in the Advanced Level ex-aminations, 14 applied to UWI andseveral have accepted places here….We are working to ensure that overtime, year by year, we can increasethe number of places available at St.Augustine to cater for those who arebest qualified to attend University.”Principal Tewarie stated.

A traditional event that was revived onCampus after a 30–year lapse as a resultof social unrest in the 70s, the Matricu-lation Ceremony underscores theUniversity’s commitment to acknowledg-ing the milestones achieved in academiclife.

Block I, Faculty of Engineering


FROM BUSINESS SPANISH TO TRANSLATIONSERVICES, THE CENTRE FOR LANGUAGELEARNING IS MAGNIFIQUE

The Centre for Language Learning (CLL) wasestablished in August 1997 as “the institutional meansfor organizing and expanding the teaching of foreignlanguages at the St. Augustine campus of The Universityof the West Indies. The main focus initially was onSpanish and French.

The Centre had its first intake of students in January1998. Since then, it has been providing foreign languagetraining to undergraduate and postgraduate studentsas well as to Academic, ATS staff, UWI graduates, ALevel students, primary school children and manyothers. Students who are pursuing a degree in theDepartment of Liberal Arts also use the facilities at theCentre.

Apart from the teaching of Spanish and French, anotherobjective is training of interpreters and translators andproviding interpreting and translating services to theuniversity community and others. The CLL is alsodedicated to the teaching of other ancestral languagessuch as Arabic, Chinese, French Creole, Hindi,Portuguese and Yoruba. Yet another key objective isresearch on language teaching.

Special courses have been designed for postgraduatestudents of the Departments of Management andEconomics, the Institute of International Relations andfor postgraduate students and staff of the Faculty ofScience and Agriculture, CARIRI and others. BusinessSpanish has now been introduced for private enterpriseand public institutions.

Since 1998, there has been a steady increase inregistrants, from 91 in January 1998 to approximately440 in Semester I, 2002.

The CLL also provides additional Conversation/Culturecourses during the mid year period. A highlight of thevacation period is the Spanish Camp for young children.This year, more than fifty children between the ages offive and ten participated in the camp. There is achildren’s class on Saturdays during the normal schoolyear.

CLL is presently engaged in research on the teachingof Spanish to children of primary school age. The UWIPrimary School students have been benefiting from thisproject. The CLL is now celebrating five years ofexistence and looking forward to the additional floor tothe building and to the growth and continued successin the field of language learning/teaching.

Recently old friends and colleagues got achance to meet, catchup and network forthe future at The UWI Institute of Busi-ness Alumni Gathering for all graduatesof the MBA for Executives, MBA Inter-national, and Postgraduate Diploma inHuman Resources Management andPostgraduate Diploma in Managementof Information at the Republic BankConference Centre.

This event, the first of its kind, was heldfor all graduates of the Institute from 1993onwards. Approximately two hundredand fifty persons attended this historicfunction. This level of participation was

I N T H E N E W S

very encouraging and as a result of thesuccess of this event, the UWI Instituteof Business plans to make the AlumniGathering an annual event. The UWI-IOB has also formed a Career andAlumni Centre (CAC) and staff at theCentre are in the process of registeringalumni for membership.

For any further information:Please contact

Jai LeladarsinghPhone: 662-6976Fax: 662-1411E-mail: [email protected]

From left to right: Troy Ramcharan, Denise Sinanan, Dr. Manfred Jantzen,Dr. Brian Ramharracksingh, Sharaz Ahamad and Cheryl Sukhu.

IOB HOSTS ALUMNI

GETTINGINTO GEARThe UWI Students’ Shuttle Servicehas been welcomed by the campuscommunity for its effectiveness,comfort, convenience and security.The service was formally launched

recently at a brief ceremony at theJFK Underpass where students andstaff got a chance to look at thecomfortable buses including CampusPrincipal, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie,Deputy Principal ProfessorGurmohan Kochhar, CampusRegistrar William Iton, Director ofStudent Services Victor Cowan,Director of Security WayneRichardson and President of theGuild of Students Mobafa Baker. Thethree buses traverse the campus andsurrounding communities through-out the week, in order to helpstudents commute from their homes/dorms to classes and/or the libraries.Key pick-up/ drop/off areas includethe JFK Underpass, the Centre forCreative and Festival Arts and MountHope. Schedules are posted at theselocations.

PrincipalBhoe Tewarie gets a tour

on the new Student Shuttle Bus


INTERNATIONAL HINDI CONFERENCEThe Centre for Language Learning in collaboration with theHindi Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago and the High Com-mission for the Republic of India hosted an InternationalHindi Conference from the 17th to 19th May.

The Conference, which focused on the teaching of Hindi asan international language, attracted scholars from India,Mauritius, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Guyana, Surinameand Guadeloupe. Papers focused on language teachingmethodologies, the use of information technology in teach-ing Hindi, the role of Tulsi and Kabir in teaching languagethrough literature, and other related topics. There was a veryvibrant session on problems pertaining to the teaching ofHindi in Trinidad. Teachers of Hindi made an appeal forteacher training and formal certification so that they can berecognised by the Ministry of Education.

The Conference included a Book Exhibition, which wasopened by the Minister of Education,Hazel Manning and fea-tured hundreds of titles in Hindi and English dealing withlanguage, literature, history, culture and other themes ofgeneral interest. The Conference was brought to a close onSunday evening after a ceremony at which the Minister ofScience, Technology and Tertiary Education, HedwigeBereaux gave the feature address. Conference recommen-dations included the standardisation of Hindi Languagecourses in the region, the provision of advanced Hindi andProgrammes at the tertiary level. On the Sunday night afterthe Conference, there was a very successful Poets’ Meet atwhich Hindi poetry was read by poets and scholars fromIndia and Trinidad, including Dr. Ashok Chakradhar, whosecompositions are highly acclaimed internationally. The Con-ference proceedings are now being prepared for publica-tion.

(From left) William Iton, Campus Registrar,Lawrence Duprey, Chairman of Buccoo Reef Trust,Campus Principal Dr. Bhoe Tewarie and Evrard Medina,Chairman of the Asa Wright Nature Centre at the signing

UWI GOES GREENPrincipal and Pro Vice-Chancellor of UWI, Dr. Bhoe Tewarierecently signed the Memoranda of Agreement with the AsaWright Nature Centre and the Buccoo Reef Trust, on Sep-tember 5 at his office. The signing of this Agreementemphasized the University’s commitment to environmentalresearch as well as represents an important partnership withtwo major stakeholders who are dedicated to studying aswell as preserving the environment.

A L U M U N I

“I feel very strongly that UWI is a fan-tastic institution! I had a fantasticUniversity life!” Heidi Achong has oneof those lightning bolt smiles that bright-ens her entire face, and the entire room,especially when she speaks about herdays at UWI. But Achong is not just an-other pretty face, she is also a proudalumni of The University of the WestIndies, who graduated with first classhonours and was class Valedictorian.

She attended Holy Name Convent, Portof Spain and after winning a nationalscholarship in 1996, she enrolled at TheUniversity of the West Indies the follow-ing year to pursue a degree in Econom-ics. She thoroughly enjoyed her years atthe UWI. The Cave Hill Campus she ex-plained had a “good student to facultyratio” which led to the building of reward-ing learning relationships with lecturers.

“You felt that people were interested inwhat you were doing… UWI also gave mereal skills particularly in data base de-velopment and in Excel – so that I couldmove into Market Development. I also gotaccess to statistical programmes for so-cial scientists” said Achong, who is cur-rently enjoying her jobas Marketing Develop-ment Officer with TheMutual.

Achong has stayed intouch with many ofher friends from herdays at the Cave HillCampus. She re-members her

cross-section of friends from St. Kitts, St.Vincent and Antigua as being “very fo-cused, totally dedicated to their studiesas students”. Many of these young gradu-ates have gone on to become successfulprofessionals who hold prominent posi-tions in islands across the Caribbean. Asfor Heidi Achong she continues to have asuccessful career at one of the leadinginsurance companies in the country andwill undoubtedly continue to climb thecorporate ladder.

The youngest of three girls, Achong’s dedi-cation to higher learning was instilled ata young age by her mother, a single par-ent. She recalled while growing up in theverdant Maraval valley in Trinidad thather mother always told her that “educa-tion is the only way you’re going to makeit – we have no money, no inheritance.”According to Heidi University had to hap-pen. During her University years she wasan avid supporter of Inter-Campus Sportand she has continued this trend, enter-ing many 5K competitions includingScotiaBank’s Women on The Run, withher victorious Mutual team.

What does the future hold for the tall, af-fable, intelligent young graduate of UWI?She says that she will continue to get in-volved in as many activities as possibleincluding writing for newsletters like TheMutual Times and The Mutual Link aswell as focusing on completing her Cer-tified Financial Planner Programme.

“I believe in Caribbean people, we are aresource that is underutilized. We have

great minds like Sir Arthur Lewis andV.S. Naipaul… and the work of

many of our people goes un-recognized and I see edu-

cation as the key togetting us there.”Achong concluded.

MUTUAL RESPECTHeidi Achong speaks about her unforgettable days on campus


SAFTEY CORNERWe have seen in recent times several “EmergencyAssembly Point” signs posted across campus. Theirpurpose is simply to indicate the general area we shouldmeet in the event of an emergency evacuation. Assemblypoint locations, however, could change depending onwhere the emergency actually occurs. In the event of anemergency that involves hazardous material, personsshould assemble upwind of the emergency.

The University carried out its fifth First Aid and CPRtraining programme for staff members during the periodJune – September 2002. Participants were taken througha series of practical exercises, slides and films culminatingin an examination on the final day. This programme isone of the most current and is sanctioned by the NationalSafety Council of Itasca Illinois, USA. Training Programmescarded for September – November 2002 includes“Laboratory Safety,”“Field Research Safety” and “Fire Ex-tinguisher Use.”

The campus population can also look forward to a HEALTH,SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT WEEK during the period 5 – 8November 2002. This collaborative effort between theSafety Officer and the Health Services Unit will showcasedevelopments in the field of HSE over the years. The themefor this year is “Increasing HSE Awareness in the 21stCentury.” During the HSE week there will be displays byseveral companies and departments as we seek tohighlight the importance of health, safety and environment,both to individuals and to the country as a whole.Representatives from various industries will also speakto students on the use of HSE as criteria for employmentand promotion. Please take time off from your busyschedule to attend.

Any questions, suggestions or comments should bedirected to the Safety Officer at extension 3138 or e-mail:[email protected].

Prof. Kenny Julian of the Faculty of Engineering shakes handswith Dr. Bhoe Tewarie, Principal St. Augustine Campus

UWI AND NESC SIGN $400,000 AGREEMENTThe University of The West Indies recently signed agroundbreaking agreement with the National Energy SkillsCentre to facilitate two additional programmes in the fieldof Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. ProfessorClement Sankat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering statedthat the campus had been awarded two lecturers’positions, one in Mechanical and the other in ElectricalEngineering at the cost of $200,000 each. In addition TheTrinidad and Tobago Institute of Technology has alsoprovided the Faculty of Engineering with a ResearchAssistant . 80 students have been accepted in the initialintake for the two programmes. The degree programmewill run for two and a half years and a review conductedafter six years with the intention of expansion, explainedCEO of NESC Dave Bhajan.

H O N O U R R O L L

142 national scholarship winners havechosen to attend the premier tertiary in-stitution in the region, The University ofthe West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.Many of these young men and womenhave already settled “very nicely into cam-pus life” taking part in several campusactivities, becoming members of clubs,“liming” with old and new friends aroundcampus and of course “beating thebooks”. For Shivana Maharaj, a gradu-ate of St. Augustine Girls High School,“everything has been good…it’s interest-ing, different and very informal at UWI,compared to High School.” She has al-ready joined the Yoga Club and plans toget involved in hiking, Latin Dancing andtennis.

Ramdia Ramlalsingh is a graduate of Pre-sentation College who says that campuslife “has been fun…I wanted to pursue adegree in Engineering and UWI was af-fordable to me. I have lots of friends herein first and second year. “ She also has akeen interest in joining the Hindu Soci-ety. For Nailah Ali, a graduate of St.Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain pursu-ing a degree in Management Studies, sheis thoroughly enjoying life on campus.“It’s been good, most of my lecturers aregood,” she explained with a laugh. Someof the brightest and best students in thecountry and region continue to chooseUWI to pursue their degrees and developinto mature West Indians; and as manyof these young people have stated – it’sproven to be the right choice.

THE REAL TOPPA-TOPPERSScholarship Winners Choose UWI

Standing from left: Anu Sharma and Shivana MaharajBelow (from left) Maria Pardais, Nailah Ali and Ravindra Ramrattan.(Inset) Hannah Enightoola (right) and Marisela Aguilar


October

7 – 12 Conference – SOLAR 2002 -“The Caribbean, Corridor of the NewWorld” held by Institute of International Relations in collaborationwith Department of Liberal Arts

14 115th Anniversary Celebration of theNational Herbarium of Trinidad & Tobago

16-18 UWI Open Days at the JFK LectureTheatre and Auditorium.

18 Deadline for receipt of Abstracts for Faculty Research Day

25 UWIDEC – Outreach Programme for Tobago includes:career guidance workshops and an exhibitionMt. Irvine Bay Hotel, Tobago.

25-27 Conference on “Hindu Presence in T&T” hosted jointly bySanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of T&T and The Department ofHistory, UWI, St. Augustine, Ext. 2022

28 & 29 Research Day

November

1 & 2 UWI St. AugustineGraduation CeremoniesThe Sport & PhysicalEducation Centre

5 – 8 Health, Safety & Environment WeekJFK Auditorium

7 Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence – Mona Campus

9 Guild of Graduates 9th Annual International Wine & CheeseFestival at the Savannah Terrace, Trinidad Hilton & ConferenceCentre, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. For further information contactCristal Roberts 662-2002 Ext. 2338 or Mr. Victor Cowan Ext. 2096

13 – 14 UWI/SOCS: Montserrat Conference – Country Conference Series -Theme Beyond Walls: Multi-disciplinary Perspectives

December

5 – 7 Gender & Economics Workshop on “Gender, Law and LegalSystems” held by the Centre for Gender and Development Studiesin collaboration with the Hugh Wooding Law School

14 StaffPartyCentre ofExcellence,Macoya

January 2003

23 Faculty Research Day – Faculty of Medical Sciences

C A M P U S J U M B I EUWI St Augustine Campus Calendar of Events

EDITORIAL continued on PAGE 2

The stakeholder meetings which we have heldthroughout the year have been a source notonly of information, but a source of inspirationto me. Discussing our strategic plan andsharing my vision for the St. Augustinecampus in open fora with various sectors ofthe campus community as well as withstakeholders from the wider public and privatesectors have provided me with significantlearning opportunities and the participationand feedback have been wonderful.

These meetings have helped me to understandthe University better, but they have alsoprovided me with the opportunity to get toknow you better as technical and service staff,daily paid workers, administrative drivers andas lecturers, teachers, researchers and mostimportant of all, as individuals. My sense ofthings is that these meetings andopportunities for exchange have enhancedcommunication on campus, have fosteredteamwork and togetherness and havefacilitated greater alignment and synergy. Isincerely hope that this is the case.

During this year too, our campus has beenalive with Conferences of relevance andpointedness. The Sir Arthur Lewis Instituteof Social and Economic Studies organized aConference dedicated to the life and work ofLloyd Best, the Governance Unit of theDepartment of Behavioural Sciences held oneon “Globalization, Governance andIntegration” and the Institute of InternationalRelations collaborating with internationalpartners held two conferences, one onInternational Trade and Security issues andanother on Caribbean/Latin American issuesand relations covering a broad range of topics.

So we can always do better; but this has beena good, purposeful and constructive year.There is renewed commitment and a new spiriton campus. A young member of staffremarked to me that there is more colour oncampus and more life. A member of thebusiness community remarked that theUniversity seems to have a greater presencein the society and seems to be engaging thesociety more fully.

To strengthen the new spirit on the campuswe are seeking to pull together all staff at theend of the year to celebrate as a communityas we approach the Christmas season and theend of the year. It is my hope that everyonewill participate fully.

Whatever is being achieved on this campus,it is being achieved by you and because ofyou. Students, staff, faculty – all of you onthis campus are making a special effort andmaking a difference.

Let us continue to work together for thedevelopment of our society and our region.

Happy Divali. Eid Greetings.Merry Christmas. To all.

Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie

To read about ourSPHYNX Competition Winners log on to

www.uwi.tt and read STAN online

stan is a publication of & rewardingstan october – december 2 stan is a publication of the...

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