NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, MONA CAMPUS DECEMbER 2011

ras dizzy presentation uwi-haiti collaboration msb accreditation PrinciPal ’s Message

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES INSIDE Mona News is a publication of the Marketing & Communications Office, The University of the West Indies, 3 Message from the Principal Mona Campus Providing a quality MONa NEWs Please send comments and feedback to: 5 Ras Dizzy Presentation to Main Library 6 Tackling Free Living Amoeba university exPerience The Editor, Marketing & Communications Office 10 MSB gains prestigious AMBA accreditation 4 Gibraltar Hall Road, Kingston 7, 12 Lending a helping hand: uWI-Haiti Collaboration t is always a pleasure to introduce the Jamaica, W.I. 14 Sickle Cell Diagnostic Centre to reduce risk of stroke readers of our Mona magazine to its contents Tel: 876-977-5941; 876-935-8348 16 What’s in the name: Buildings at Mona Fax: 876-977-6699 that so effectively reflect the richness and Email: [email protected] 22 Be courageous! Be Brave! Be the change! depth of the Mona Campus university Website: www.mona.uwi.edu/proffice new graduates challenged experience. This issue captures pictorially the textured layers of the 2011 orientation and EdITOr NEW PrOFEssOrs Carroll Edwards matriculation exercises. The feature will no doubt 18 John Bewaji Iserve as a memento for our new students – CONTrIbUTOrs 19 Beverley Bryan Karen Cadien 26 Henry Ellis Jamaican, Caribbean and International – who knew Jennifer Cheesman the wisdom of participating in these life-changing June Degia sTUdENT NEWs exercises that are so important in setting the stage Carroll Edwards 21 Damion Davy is national Chess Champion for a successful journey into academia and John Lindo 25 Charah Watson wins International Chemistry Award university life! Kerry McCatty 25 Donovan Campbell receives award for Outstanding Dwight Robinson Postgraduate Research This year, we welcomed some 4,000 new students. They comprise Matthew Smith 80% of the most qualified of the national and regional Waibinte Wariboko sPOrTs university student cohort. This Campus administration is dEsIgN & LayOUT 32 Mona Dreams – Racing to Sprint Success committed to providing them with a quality university Michael A. Grant 34 uWI/uTECH Sports Championship experience that is second to none, and one that serves the 36 Students Excell at World university Games specific needs of Jamaica and the Caribbean. news in this PhOTOgraPh y publication of the recent success of the Mona School of Peter Ferguson Business (MSB) in gaining international accreditation of Steve McDonald NEWs PICTOrIaL its programmes, showcases an achievement that Aston Spaulding 20 Media brunch: Sports scholarship recipients named Standing Ovation: Musical feast at the university Chapel typifies the world class quality of the curricula offered Green Expo: uWI takes award in our five faculties that prepare students for hundreds UWI's MIssION new students matriculate of careers. The newest additions to these curricula, THE EnDuRInG MISSIOn OF THE reflecting the emerging interests of our students, unIvERSITy OF THE WEST InDIES PrOFILE include dentistry, electronic engineering, tropical IS TO PROPEL THE ECOnOMIC, 27 Wavell Hinds – the Cricketer Scholar horticulture, agricultural entrepreneurship, journalism, SOCIAL, POLITICAL AnD CuLTuRAL integrated marketing communication, digital media DEvELOPMEnT OF WEST InDIAn UWI NEWs and entertainment management. At the postgraduate SOCIETy THROuGH TEACHInG, level, we’ve also added programmes in Medical Physics, RESEARCH, InnOvATIOn, ADvISORy 28 Chancellor’s Medal for Sir Shridath Physical Therapy and an MBA with a new concentration AnD COMMunITy SERvICES, AnD 28 Appointment of Open Campus Registrar in Sports Management. InTELLECTuAL LEADERSHIP. 28 new Law Faculty building officially opened 29 vC’s Awards for Excellence The high standards of faculty members leading the no part of this publication may be reproduced without research mandate of this university are also highlighted TrIbUTEs the written permission of the publisher or agent. in the most recent appointment of academics to the 37 Professor Ajai Mansingh professorial rank. We are proud of our tradition of Cover photo: Peter Ferguson photograph of ‘Untitled’ by 38 Emeritus Professor Aggrey Brown ras dizzy rewarding the brightest and the best and I extend my heartiest congratulations to our newest appointees.

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The researchers on this Campus who are impacting national the outstanding postgraduate research prize, and Damion Davy, and regional development are engaged in subjects ranging from the chess champion. ras dIzzy PaINTINgs FOr MaIN LIbrary global warming and the destruction of our coral reefs, to finding solutions to the diseases that affect agricultural crops; from In featuring the chess winner we underscore the fact of the understanding the impact of casino gambling and other forms roundedness of the Mona Campus university experience. Our of gaming on our society, to addressing the problem of gangs sports programme is world class, with sports research being and organised crime which lie at the heart of the very high rate at its centre. Two students, Hansle Parchment and Jason of violence in some countries in the region, including Jamaica; young, are shown in this issue excelling at the World university from understanding Jamaica’s dance hall culture and the Games. We are very proud, also, that well-known Jamaica phenomena of daggering and gun culture, to understanding cricketer, Wavell Hinds, was among the many recipients of the how to dramatically improve the performance of Caribbean significantly increased number of uWI scholarships, including students in the primary and secondary schools; from managing sports scholarships. The feature on the uWI/uTECH Sports chronic non-communicable diseases that inflict our community, Championship highlights, as well, our active participation in to managing the HIv-AIDS epidemic in our region. In this national and international sporting competitions. publication we hone in on the Department of Microbiology’s research on free living amoeba. Also captured in this issue is On another note, The uWI, Mona Campus has a very strong the opening of the sickle cell diagnostic centre, highlighting our outreach agenda that embraces local communities such as continuous investment in improving our research capabilities on August Town, as well as our Caribbean neighbourhoods. The the Campus. article on the uWI-Haiti collaboration, led by Dr. Matthew Smith of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, speaks to Mona’s It should be noted, however, that it is not only commitment to efforts to assist in Haiti’s redevelopment after the devastating research that differentiates Mona’s faculty members. We are 2010 earthquake. In addition to the formal academic curricula equally committed to ensuring that faculty members have, of the university, it is participation in these outreach activities, through our Instructional Development unit, access to techniques exposure to the national and Caribbean legacies housed in that allow them to continually upgrade their teaching methods artefacts, exhibits, collections, including artistic – as seen in the to respond to the changing needs of our students and to make Ras Dizzy art collection so generously donated by Joe Pereira, teaching material more accessible and relevant. recently retired Deputy Principal – the Study Abroad exchange programmes at universities in north America, Europe, Asia and ‘What’s In the name: Buildings at Mona’, the piece in this Africa, the various social, religious, and cultural clubs, and the publication that speaks specifically to the rich legacy of this opportunities to study and socialise with the international university reminds us, too, that the physical and other infra- students on the campus, that continue to ensure that uWI structural facilities of a Campus are important determinants students become well rounded, culturally sensitive, articulate in the quality of the learning that takes place. To this end, citizens of our community, and stars on the global stage. Retired Deputy Principal of the UWI, Mona Campus, Joseph Pereira, signs over a collection of paintings by late Jamaican intuitive artist Ras Dizzy to we have recently expanded our computer laboratories in the the Main Library. Looking on is Campus Librarian Leona Bobb-Semple. libraries, our holdings of books, journals and other materials, I do hope that you enjoy this issue of our Mona magazine and he art collection at the UWI, and to preserve it for posterity. One of both on-line and in print. We have also introduced learning look forward to your feedback. Mona’s Main Library received a the stipulations of the donation was commons in our libraries which allow for a more comfortable Tsignificant boost recently when that it “should not be sold, given away retired Deputy Principal, Mr. Joseph or discarded.” environment in which to pursue study. The new Faculty of Law Pereira, handed over to the Library his is housed in a state-of-the-art modern building, and the new collection of twenty-three paintings by In receiving the Collection on behalf Basic Medical Science Complex is nearing completion. the Jamaican intuitive artist, the late of the Library, Campus Librarian, Leona Ras Dizzy. Bobb-Semple expressed the Library’s Students at the Western Jamaica Campus (WJC) will experience gratitude to Mr. Pereira and explained Mr Pereira described Ras Dizzy as a well that the Library already had over 140 the most modern telecommunication technologies that allow gordon shirley Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor known personality on the Mona pieces exhibited in its public spaces. for two-way communication between classrooms at Mona and Campus and its unofficial artist-in- She explained that it is the Library’s the WJC. It is not by accident, then, that annually our students residence. He explained the evolution policy to expose students to all facets excel in the international arena. We highlight here the of his collection of Ras Dizzy’s paintings of Caribbean culture and its art achievements of Charah Watson, winner of the International and gave an insight into Ras Dizzy’s collection was a major part of this year of Chemistry Award, Donovan Campbell, who was awarded iconography, symbolism and personality. exposure. The paintings can be viewed He also felt that the Library was the Mr. Pereira, who was an avid collector of works in the Post Graduate Learning best location, both to display the by Ras Dizzy, disusses features of the artist’s Commons, Main Library. collection to a large number of viewers work with Librarian Bobb-Semple.

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free living amoebae (to be) a big public health problem, we really still have no way of quantifying mortality or morbidity rates from amoebae. It is a very interesting group of organisms to study because we know so little about UWI PILOTs them,” he says.

“We want to look at the range of rEsEarCh IN amoebae that we have here in Jamaica and where they are distributed across the country and their pathogenic FrEE LIVINg potential,” he adds, while noting that FrEE LIVINg questions abound over what makes some free living amoebae more virulent than others and what makes aMOEba some humans more susceptible to them than others.

Prior to these current studies, the focus of The UWI, Mona since 2003 has always been on the Acanthamoebia genus, another free living amoeba, which causes Acanthamoeba Granulomatous Encephalitis, a rare, chronic progressive infection of the central nervous system that may involve the lungs. It is also usually associated with an underlying The Irie reggae amoeba, created by Donnie Miller debilitating disease or immune rior to the splashy headlines this While the most recent rash of cases in suppressed individuals including summer, which attributed four the United States may provide reasons HIV/AIDS patients; diabetics; organ Pdeaths in southern United States to to get jittery especially in light of the transplant recipients; patients a brain-eating amoeba, most individuals fact that Jamaica is considered the undergoing chemotherapy; and, drug were genuinely impervious to the land of wood and water, this infection abusers. This work, in addition to the presence of such an organism causing which is invariably fatal, is considered new studies, are being conducted in infection in humans. In fact, most rare. Professor John Lindo, Head of the conjunction with the University of would believe that such headlines were Department of Microbiology, Mona LaLaguna(ULL) in Spain, a globally stolen directly from sci-fi movies. says its occurrence is akin to that of recognised leader in the field of study, “being struck by lightning,” which is and is led by Professor Lindo and Dr. However, this organism, otherwise rare, as the amoeba usually goes after Jacob Lorenzo-Morales (Institute of referred to as Naegleria fowleri has bacteria in the water and also in the Tropical Medicine, ULL). been around from the 1960s, having soil and not human tissue. been discovered in Australia during “We have a good collaboration with that period. Since then, this organism Nevertheless, Professor Lindo says that our colleagues in Spain as they back us which causes the waterbourne disease studies have been launched by The up in some of the more advanced called Primary Amoebic Meningoen- UWI, Mona to determine if the techniques required in our studies,” cephalitis has been reported on in 15 Naegleria species as well as Sappinia Professor Lindo says. countries across five continents and genus are present in Jamaican waters Histopathology of amebic the number of cases has been with a view to establishing their During this eight-year period, samples meningoencephalitis due to increasing. prevalence. The Sappinia genus, which from water sources from all over belongs to the free living amoeba Jamaica were collected and Acantha- Naegleria fowleri . Direct Known to thrive in warm contam- group that normally lives in soil moebia strains with pathogenic fluorescent antibody stain. inated fresh water ponds, falls, rivers, contaminated with faeces of elk, bison potential to humans and other animals lakes and swimming pools, this and cattle, has been identified as were isolated and these findings were organism affects persons while causing encephalitis (swelling of the published in the Annals of Tropical swimming by entering the body brain) in an otherwise healthy Medicine and Parasitology . The research through the nostrils, where it travels individual. team reported that from the collected to the brain and feasts on it, killing samples strains with pathogenic the victim within two weeks. “Although we do not consider these potential were shown as 60 per cent 6 7

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES FREE LIVING AMOEBA

Free-living amebic infections (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in tap water, 68.4 per cent in river water and 40.3 per cent before, Professor Lindo anticipates that in another five of the sea water samples. “As you can see Acanthamoeba is years the team will have “a better grasp of the situation very common in Jamaica and we have a lot of it in tap water, and therefore be able to make recommendations of where rivers and streams. This was revealed in our preliminary and what to avoid” as it pertains to free living amoebae. report of where it is found in Jamaica,” Professor Lindo explains. In the meantime, Jamaica was the destination for the XIV International Meeting on Biology and Pathogencity of Free Soon after the publication of the preliminary data, the Living Amoebae (also known as the Irie Amoebae Meeting) first case of Acanthamoeba keratitis was reported by the at the Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James from research team in a female patient, who was blinded in October 11-15. Organised by UWI, the conference attracted one eye. This severe infection, which is caused by the world leading experts from over 20 countries located in Acanthamoeba specie, mostly affects contact lens wearers Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa . The world leading although there are many cases that have been reported scientists and clinicians discussed recent advances in worldwide in non-contact lens users mostly related to a diagnosis, treatment and pathogenicity and basic biology. previous corneal trauma. Prevention of this type of infection As a result, the Mona Campus was able to strengthen its of the eye in contact lens wearer is dependent upon strict research linkages with several key international partners . lens hygiene. “Persons should follow the instructions Plans are now being made for the publication of full papers on the manufacturer’s label,” Professor Lindo advises. from the meeting in the prestigious journal Experimental As the research team continues to forge ahead with Parasitology and the preparation of students to submit sampling in Jamaica in order to check for the presence papers to FLAM 2013, to be held in Vienna, Austria. of other free living amoebae that have not been studied

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The Mona School of Business (MSB) SB received special the ranking of ‘2 Palmes’ in the at The UWI, Mona has received commendation for the league of ‘Good Business Schools Mclose relationship between with Regional Influence.’ The accreditation from the international the School and the local business ‘FindMBA’ web site also ranks the Association of MBAs (AMBA) for world; the role of the cluster MSB among the top thirty most achieving what AMBA describes coordinators as mentors and popular Business Schools in the as the highest standard in Post- controllers of quality; the close Americas (Canada, South and graduate Business Education for relationship between the School Central America, and the Caribbean) and the local business world; the with rankings ranging between 13th its EMBA and MBA programmes. quality and the commitment of the and 16th. AMBA’s accreditation is earned only students and graduates of the MBA by Business Schools with the “best programmes. Also commended was uWI Principal, and former Executive programmes”, and is internationally the staff development opportunities Director of the MSB, Professor recognised as the global standard for available to both full-time and Gordon Shirley expressed joy in the adjunct faculty; the enthusiasm and recognition given by AMBA. “The all MBA, MBM and DBA programmes. commitment of the MBA faculty; AMBA accreditation”, he states, “is student membership of the School’s an assurance of quality, which has Board and the flexibility of delivery been the School’s objective from of the MBA programmes. the start. It also provides assurance to employers and top business MSB Executive Director, Professor recruiters looking to acquire the Evan Duggan, commenting on the best managers and future business School’s most recent and highest leaders, that graduates of our now achievement, says that over the AMBA accredited programmes have years, the MSB has increasingly received the highest quality – MSB PROGRAMMES received recognition from local and education and training most employers for the high standards relevant to the changing demands of of its programmes, as well as the business world – management GET AMBA ACCREDITATION recognition as the leading education.” management institution in the CARICOM Region. MSB graduates, even before leaving the School have also consistently “As early as 2001, the MSB, which made their mark in the Opportunity started in 1987, received the uSAID Funding Cooperation Innovation 40th Anniversary Award for & Entrepreneurship (OFCIE) Excellence in Education, and just competition for historically Black two years later in 2004, it was Colleges and universities, held in admitted to Membership in the Atlanta, at which the MSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate only non-uS contender. Since its Schools of Business (ACSB) first participation some nine years International.“ ago, MSB entries to the competition have placed variously, from fifth to In 2008, and for three consecutive second place, the latter in 2010, years since, the Mona School when they also won the inaugural of Business was ranked by the trophy for ‘Best Presentation.’ In the Eduniversal International Scientific 2011 competition, they walked away Committee (France) among the top again with the trophy for the Best 1,000 Business Schools in the world Presentation, as well as the overall in the Worldwide Business Schools first prize for the ‘Best Business Ranking. In addition, MSB was given Project.’

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universities, as capacities and needs could be better assessed.

LENDING A HELPING HAND NExT sTEPs Discussions are now under way regarding Rebuilding Higher Education in Haiti the future of the programme. An initial agreement is that the next phase of the scholarship initiative should give priority to students who wish to pursue Masters degrees. There is a limited number of graduate programmes available to Haitian tertiary students at uEH.

Specialised training at the graduate level at uWI, Mona would make a major contribution to Haiti by increasing the numbers of postgraduate trained teachers and civil society Award of scholarships will be merit-based and will include some of the students who performed best in the first phase of the programme. UWI Mona reception for the UEH students, Mona, 10 May 2011 dIsTaNCE EdUCaTION The students formally expressed their In the second phase of the programme it Through its Open Campus (a virtual gratitude to the uWI for its participation would be useful if the uEH faculty, being Learning campus), The uWI has entered in the programme, highlighting the benefits familiar with the students’ level of into discussions with Haitian partners to of the programme to their personal preparation and the content of courses pursue distance education programmes in advancement and relations between completed in Haiti, could work more closely Haiti. These discussions are encouraging Director, UWI, Mona-Haiti Initiative, Dr Matthew Smith, addressing the UEH reception for the UWI-UEH Haiti Initiative in Port-au-Prince in June 2011. Haiti and Jamaica. with uWI faculty in helping the students and it would be good to see this develop Others in the photo (l-r) are UEH student representative Nesack Alcide, Professor Wilson Lakeau, Professor J.V. Henry, and CARICOM Ambassador, particularly for Mona's continued E. Dunkley. select an appropriate mix of courses LEssONs LEarNEd compatible with their training at uWI. involvement with undergraduate training he uWI-Mona launched its Haiti project. The uEH and the uWI forged Haitian comparisons were of great benefit There were several important lessons This would be beneficial to the students’ of uEH students in Haiti. Initiative in January 2010 as an an important partnership that merged to others. learned from this first phase of the academic development and expand their Timmediate response to the devastating Anglophone and Francophone Caribbean scholarship programme. First, the challenges skills and contributions when they return It is also recommended that both effects of the January 12 2010 earthquake in studies in a way that had not been The uEH students also participated in for students who speak primarily French and to Haiti. institutions begin to consider other forms Haiti. The objective of the programme was attempted before. For both institutions, campus activities such as field trips Kreyol to adjust to an Anglophone learning of collaboration beyond the scholarship to offer campus assistance, particularly in this landmark programme was a concrete organised by various student associations environment were initially considerable. UNdErsTaNdINg OrIENTaTIONs aNd programme. The uWI Haiti Initiative has the areas of library outreach and university example of what can be achieved by and the International Students Office (ISO). Students initially complained that the daily CULTUrEs facilitated unparalleled integration of Haitian recovery. This was successfully achieved in collaborative projects that cross linguistic They formed their own student association, English classes and related assignments While there are critical similarities in course issues into broader regional concerns at 2010 when Mona organised a library training and cultural borders in the Caribbean. the Haitian Students Association, which was consumed much of their time. As a result, materials, disciplines, and approaches, the the academic level. It would be useful for workshop in Haiti with uWI librarians and quite active throughout the academic year, there was less time available for reading and uWI and uEH have notable differences in faculty and graduate students to harness the Main Library welcomed a library intern The greatest beneficiaries of the programme organising special events, talks, and exhibits comprehension of assigned materials for their academic systems. For example, the the opportunities that this creates, by from the Haitian national Library. were the students. The uEH students gained on campus with an aim toward educating other courses. In the future, it would be relationship between the faculties and developing joint research projects between a great deal from the knowledge and other students about Haitian society, necessary to revisit the levels of English central administration in each university the two institutions. This would enhance Mona also awarded 25 scholarships to experience of living in Jamaica and attending culture, and history. These efforts, and language preparation the students receive is quite different. A greater understanding knowledge and skills in both Haiti and Haitian students from the State university uWI, Mona. The daily English language the impressive level of organisation by the prior to entry at the uWI. This would ease on each side of the systems of the other Jamaica; encourage language training; and of Haiti (uEH), with partial funding from the classes proved highly effective so that by uEH students, went a long way towards student transition to the different modes partner would be beneficial to the effective lead to the production of long-term research Open Society Institute (OSI) in new york the end of the programme most of the challenging misperceptions of Haiti. of teaching, allow them to better manage structuring of the scholarship programme. projects on issues related to Caribbean and from the Caribbean Development Bank students had achieved fluency in spoken their study time and gain greater command Having worked closely together for the first development across linguistic borders. (CDB). The students were resident at The English, although some difficulties remained All the Haitian students returned to Haiti by with English. time this past year, both uWI and uEH now uWI Mona Campus between September with the written language. The uWI students 10 June 2011. Prior to their departure, the know a great deal more about the academic The recovery and redevelopment of Haiti's 2010 and June 2011. also benefited a great deal from the Mona campus held a reception thanking the COLLabOraTIVE aPPrOaCh TO COUrsE cultures that prevail in Haiti and Jamaica. public university system will take a long interchange with the Haitian students. institutions and individuals that supported sELECTION This will no doubt prove useful in the future time. The uWI Haiti Initiative has OUTCOMEs and funded the programme. Each of the The process of selecting courses for the expansion of the Initiative and other demonstrated the firm commitment The uWI-Mona Haiti Scholarship programme In the classroom, the input of the uEH uEH students received a gift from the students was done by uWI faculty and collaborative endeavours between the two of Haiti's Caribbean partners to offer 2010-2011 was, by all accounts, a successful students and references to unfamiliar Campus at the event. administration, based on student transcripts. sustained assistance throughout.

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and under will benefit from the screening, which is free of cost. to house them in the diagnostic centre,” Professor Reid notes. Currently, there are some 5000 patients who are registered with New diagnostic Centre to reduce stroke the Sickle Cell unit. Of this total, some 3500 patients visit the unit on an annual basis, half of whom are below the age of 18 years. risk for Persons with sickle Cell “If it turns out that the measure of the blood flow in the patient’s brain is high, we will then be able to start them on treatment to The focus on this complication is try and prevent them from actually getting a stroke,” he says, deliberate as strokes are paradoxically adding that the screening is a non-invasive, out-patient more common in childhood than procedure. adulthood with persons living with this disease. The odds are that children with “What will eventually happen over time with using the TCD Sickle Cell disease are 300 times more measurement is that with our improved capacity to detect likely to have a stroke compared to a child persons who would be more likely to have a stroke, we would be unaffected by SCD between ages four to able to give them the appropriate intervention to reduce that risk 18 years and there is a tendency for of getting a stroke and dying early, thereby giving them a much recurrent stroke. The consequence of this better quality of life without having stroke disabilities,” he further is very devastating for individuals and their explains. family members, as children are often left with some combination of physical, mental The Sickle Cell unit intends to replicate the service offered at and cognitive disability. the Diagnostic Centre across Jamaica at some point in the future. However, the medium-term goal is to also offer additional The genesis of the Diagnostic Centre can diagnostic tests for conditions that are more common in persons be traced to a research grant awarded by having Sickle Cell Disease. An ultrasound machine can be used the united States-based funding agency, to diagnose gallstones. Additionally, persons with SCD are prone Professor Reid accepts a donation from a representative of the Singer Company. the national Heart Lung Blood Institute to having “an issue with their heart and lung, which is a funny (nHLBI) of the national Institute of Health condition known as pulmonary hypertension, where the pressure The Sickle Cell unit remains committed to maintaining its (nIH) to a partnership between Professor in the blood vessels to the lung gets high, so they are at risk for preeminent status in research and treatment, since its Marvin Reid, Director of the Sickle Cell sudden death of something similar to that of a heart attack but groundbreaking cohort studies in Sickle Cell disease during the unit, uWI; Dr. Clarisse Lobo at HERMORIO, not quite,” he clarifies. This also can be diagnosed using an period 1973 to 1981, where 100,000 newborns were screened Rio Janeiro, Brazil and Professor Russell ultrasound machine. for sickle cell disease. The unit has continued to achieve this Ware, Director of the Texas Children’s status through several strategies such as work in the area of Centre for Global Health. Through the clinical epidemiology, where it is particularly strong, and also by grant (uS $3.7M over 5 years), assistance partnering with other research institutions in Brazil, the united Unveiling the plaque for the Diagnostic Centre is being given to the process of States and Britain among others that will afford access to the determining whether treating children appropriate technology required to continue improvements n one of the walls in the reception played an integral role in the planning of with a mild increase in the blood flow in in the field. area, framed black and white the project around which the Centre has the brain with the drug hydroxyurea will Ophotographs of young patients been developed. reduce the blood flow velocity and The work of the unit is paying off handsomely, as survival has are lovingly but painstakingly arranged ultimately stroke rates in children with improved, which holds true worldwide. The unit, having been and curated at eye level for children to The Centre represents yet another Sickle Cell disease. The project is of around for almost 40 years caring for individuals with the disease, see as they enter. important step in the treatment of profound significance as it marks the first has seen movement in terms of the quality of life and survival persons living with Sickle Cell Disease time that such an important study being rates. “If you were born in the 1970s to 1980s with Sickle Cell This wall has become sacred terrain for (SCD), an inherited genetic disorder funded by the nHLBI of nIH is being disease, the probability of you dying within the first 10 years of children who regularly visit and take which causes the malformation of red performed at Sickle Cell centres outside life was probably about 17 per cent, which basically meant that delight in being greeted by images of blood cells that become distorted when of the united States. themselves, with their bright smiles, they transmit oxygen through the body. roughly almost 2 persons per 100 would die before their 10th birthday,” Professor Reid says. belying the seriousness of their illness. The severe form of SCD afflicts one in The Diagnostic Centre was created to not There is an element of simplicity yet a every 300 babies annually, making it one only house the Trans-cranial Doppler Currently that figure is one per cent, which means that, less than quality of comfort that welcomes visitors of the commonest genetic disorders in instrument, which is the focal point in the one person in a hundred is expected to die in the first 10 years to the child-friendly décor of norma Jamaica and the Caribbean. It is home to provision of screening for strokes, but also of life if they are born now. Professor Reid says this success is Lewis Diagnostic Centre. a special technology called a Trans-cranial to facilitate the large number of persons Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Susanna Ali (left), demonstrates the use of the diagnostic equipment for Professor Susan Walker (centre) and CHASE primarily driven by the treatment programme which involves Doppler (TCD) flow instrument, which is expected to benefit. This is also a first for representative, Mrs. Paulette Mitchell. several aspects – early detection, which is one of the most Ensconced at the Sickle Cell unit, which used to measure the velocity of blood the Sickle Cell unit, as it is now able to important kinds of intervention that can be done and once is located within the Tropical Medicine flow in the blood vessels of the brain in offer this type of screening to individuals These plans will go hand in hand with the need for additional this has been done, preventative strategies are put in place to Research Institute (TMRI) at uWI, Mona, order to predict the risk for stroke. with the disease attending their facility technologies that will allow for the early identification of other prevent some of the more serious complications of this disorder. the recently opened Centre is named A stroke is among one of the more at Mona. complications so that treatment can be provided to stave off in the honour of the late research devastating complications of Sickle Cell ensuing problems. “One of the things that we are looking for in The norma Lewis Diagnostic Centre is therefore yet another step in improving the both the quality of life and survival of persons coordinator, norma Lewis, a nurse who disease, and it is caused by interruptions Director of the Sickle Cell unit, Professor the medium term is to source these additional bits of equipment living with Sickle Cell disease. worked with the unit for 14 years and of blood supply to parts of the brain. Marvin Reid, says that persons 18 years that will allow us to do these measurements and we are planning

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Department of Advanced Nursing Education) in 1971 and started making arrangements for a Nurse Practitioner What’s in the name Programme. She also laid the ground- work for undergraduate and post- HONOURING PIONEERS Those who work and study at Mona graduate degree programmes. These may take much of its rich history for initiatives became personal crusades granted. The architecture and physical for Dr. Seivwright, who was passionate layout of the buildings are part of the about the need for advanced-level institution’s history, with several tertiary training for nurses. buildings named in recognition of individuals who have served The UWI, In recognition of her work, the building Jamaica and the region with distinction from which the University’s School of in the field of higher education. Nursing administers its programmes was named the Mary Seivwright DE LA BECHE BUILDING, Building. Previously located on the HOME OF GEOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY grounds of the University Hospital of The building housing the Department the West Indies, the School has seen of Geography and Geology is named after significant expansion both in the Sir Henry de la Beche. Born in 1796 in number of nursing students and Halse Hall, Clarendon, Sir Henry studied in lecturers as well as in teaching facilities. England where he became interested in The facilities now include lecture the emerging science of Geology. Back theatres, a state-of-the-art skills home, he conducted a geographical laboratory, with a range of patient survey of the eastern section of the island simulators which allows students to in 1823. From his pioneering work, a map develop and practice skills in a safe and report considered to be the first environment, as well as recreational geographical representation of the and study spaces. The Alister McIntyre Building, home of the Mona School of Business. Western Hemisphere were produced. The map was published by the Geographical to various United Nations assignments, Society of London in 1827. Knighted by The De La Beche Geography/Geology Building Queen Victoria in recognition of his Sir Alister has provided consultant geological achievements, Sir Henry ADVANCING BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Management Programme, the MSB services to regional and international became the founder and first Director AT THE ALISTER MCINTYRE BUILDING provides courses from the certificate financial institutions, including the of the Geological Survey of Great Home of the highly respected Mona to the doctoral level in telecomm- International Development Bank and Britain, which was the first Government School of Business (MSB), the Alister unications, information technology the World Bank. geological organisation anywhere in McIntyre Building also accommodates and broadcasting. the world. a Documentation Centre which is PIONEER MARY SEIVWRIGHT INSPIRES a specialised information centre, The building is named after the former NURSING SCHOOL The UWI is the only tertiary institution producing and maintaining a collection Vice Chancellor, who is regarded as one Among the persons daring to make a in the English-speaking Caribbean of materials necessary for the School’s of the region’s foremost developmental difference in the delivery of tertiary offering undergraduate and post- varied programmes. economists. Grenadian by birth, Sir health education is Dr. Mary Jane graduate degrees in Geography and Alister piloted the movement for Seivwright, who was instrumental in Geology. The De la Beche Building has In its 23-year history, the MSB has integration as Secretary-General of securing status for nursing as an been home to the Department of become the go-to source for post- CARICOM from 1974-1977 and served as academic discipline. Hailed as the first Geography and Geology for over 30 graduate qualifications in several areas Vice Chairman of the West Indian West Indian nurse to attain doctoral years. An extended section of the of business management including the Commission. He contributed to the qualifications in the discipline, Mary building houses additional teaching Doctorate in Business Administration, development of the UWI as a lecturer Seivwright headed the first Bachelor rooms, administrative offices and a the MBA Programme and the Executive prior to his appointment as Vice of Science in Nursing programme at computer lab. Graduates in these MBA Programme. Diploma, Certificate Chancellor in 1988. His academic career the UWI. specialised areas serve throughout courses and short-term courses are also extended to the reputable Princeton the region in development planning, available in business administration, University and Colombia University Trained in the United States, Dr. environmental agencies and land and project management and marketing. where he was Assistant Professor and Seivwright was appointed head of resources management. Through its Telecommunications and Fulbright Fellow respectively. In addition the School of Nursing (formerly the Nursing’s Mary Seivwright Building

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THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES 3 New Profe ssors Named he University of the West Indies, Philosophy for Children from Institute He has been external examiner to PhDs Bewaji has received several Research issues in the teaching of English. This Mona is pleased to announce the for the Advancement of Philosophy in Philosophy from various top and Publication Awards and Grants for has led to research on the lives, culture Tpromotion to the rank of Professor for Children, Montclair State College, Universities around the world. excellence in his field, including being and educational practices of migrant of three members of staff: Dr. John Upper Montclair, New Jersey, USA, the named Citizen Ambassador in communities in the United Kingdom, Bewaji , Senior Lecturer in Philosophy in Master of Arts in Distance Education Professor Bewaji has a distinguished Philosophy to Hungary and Russia comparing schooling in the English the Faculty of Humanities & Education; (2007), and Post Graduate Diploma in record of original work. His main areas (1995), Caribbean Exchange Scholar to education system to that in the Dr. Beverley Bryan , Senior Lecturer in the Distance Education (2003) from the of research and publication focus Hunter College, CUNY (2002), Visiting education system in Jamaica. Department of Educational Studies, Joint International Programme of the are on Aesthetics, Epistemology, Scholar to University of Botswana School of Education, and Dr. Henry Ellis , Commonwealth of Learning, Canada Philosophy of Culture, Philosophy (2002), UWI Mona Faculty of Locally, she has worked with the Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry in and Indira Gandhi National Open of Leadership, African and African Humanities Most Outstanding Ministry of Education on the Review of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty University, India. Diaspora thought and philosophy, Researcher for 2009 and recipient Primary Education, and their Literacy of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mona especially the fundamental African of the prestigious John Simon Improvement Initiative to improve Campus. Professor Bewaji’s appointment Professor Bewaji, a former Rhodes responses to social and moral Guggenheim Research Fellowship language and literacy performance in took effect in May 2011 while that of Visiting Lecturer (1991-1992) in questions. in Philosophy (2010-2011). Jamaican schools. Her recommendations Professors Bryan and Ellis took effect Philosophy, Unit of Philosophy, Faculty in this regard formed the basis for the on October 5, 2011. of Arts, UWI, Mona joined the staff of He is the author of Beauty and Culture He was the founding President of construction of the Grade Four Literacy the UWI, Mona in 1992 and has been (2003), the first full-length major book International Society for African Test and the Grade Six Achievement Test the coordinator of that Unit since that contribution to the area of Philosophy Philosophy and Studies and has chaired in the Language Arts and Communication. time. He was tenured and promoted of Art and Aesthetics by an African several international distinguished Additionally, she worked with the to Senior Lecturer in 1995. Prior to philosopher, boldly taking on the academic meetings and presented Ministry in writing the Language joining the staff, he was a lecturer tradition of leaving the assessment more than 40 completed papers at Education Policy which has provided a in Philosophy in the Department of and discussion of African and Diaspora distinguished academic meetings and framework for discussions on teaching Philosophy at Ogun State University, Art and Artistic Experience to Euro- international conferences in the US, English in a bilingual environment. Nigeria (1984-1991) and University of American intellectuals with scant Europe, Africa and the Caribbean Ife, Nigeria (1980-1984). understanding of the sensitivities and region. Prof. Beverley Bryan At the regional level, Professor Bryan sensibilities that under-gird the art of has written literacy policies and plans Beverley Bryan holds the Bachelor of John Bewaji has distinguished himself Africa and Diaspora upon which they John Bewaji is the Editor of Caribbean aimed at securing improved levels of Arts in English, the Master of Arts in in the areas of teaching, research, were commenting. Journal of Philosophy , UWI, consul- literacy in countries such as Grenada, St. Language and Literature in Education publication and administration. He ting editor and advisor on many Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Lucia. and the Doctor of Philosophy degree has provided exemplary leadership His work on beauty and culture international journals of Philosophy She has also worked with Dominica on in Language Education from the in the development and teaching of has established him as one of the and is a Member of UNESCO National implementing their Literacy Policy University of London, as well as a Philosophy at The UWI, Mona at both dominant thinkers on these issues in Bioethics Committee of Jamaica, through training workshops for literacy Teachers’ Certificate in Education from the graduate and undergraduate levels. the African world. His An Introduction Member, International Advisory Board coordinators and principals, as well as Keele University. She joined the Staff of to Theory of Knowledge (2007), a on Culture, St. Petersburg, Russia. working on their review of universal The UWI, Mona in 1992 as Lecturer in Currently, the BA Philosophy is one of ground-breaking volume which secondary education in the area of the Educational Studies and was promoted the most popular programmes in the demonstrates that he is equally at He also has an excellent record of teaching of English. to Senior Lecturer in 2002. Faculty of Humanities and Education home with African and Western ideas public service. He was a past President, with an annual enrolment of more of knowledge, is the first original effort Association of Nigerians in Jamaica At the international level, she has been The newly appointed professor is than 2,000 students. The Graduate by an African philosopher to (1997- 2002), Chairman of the the sole Caribbean representative on widely recognised as an expert in programme in Philosophy, developed philosophise knowledge from an Management Committee/Board, Little the UN Literacy Decade Expert Group Language Education, particularly in the under his leadership, has attracted Africana perspective, thereby, in many Angels Child Development Centre, set up to advise UNESCO as areas of Jamaican Creole and the Prof. John Bewaji international recognition, with students respects, making contributions to Chairman, The Jamaican Institute of coordinating agency of the UN Literacy teaching and learning of Creole from USA, the Caribbean and Africa knowledge, research, analysis and Management Board of Studies, Vice- Decade (UNLD). Her contribution there speaking children. Over the years she John Bewaji holds the Bachelor coming to Mona Campus for their interpretation of facts, ideas and President, Board of St Hugh’s High helped to define and distinguish the has focused on language teaching and of Arts (1979) and Master of Arts (1983) Master’s degrees. He graduated the first synthesis of issues in epistemology School Parent Teachers Association and distinct linguistic and historical learning, literacy acquisition, teacher degrees in Philosophy from the set of PhDs in Philosophy in the history and philosophy of science. He also representative of Jamaica at UNESCO Caribbean perspective in the drive formation and literacy policy and plans University of Ife, Nigeria, and PhD in of the University of the West Indies, has over 50 research papers published Meetings on Philosophy. towards full global literacy at different for Jamaica and the region. Her Philosophy (1991) from University of with these graduates holding academic in peer reviewed internationally levels and in different sectors. Her research activities have also included Ibadan, Nigeria, Certificate in positions in other tertiary institutions. recognised journals and books. interest in cross-cultural studies has cross-cultural and methodological (continued on page 26)

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Pictorial News round-Up THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

sTUdENT aThLETEs’ MEdIa brUNCh

Hundreds of new students turned out for the Matriculation Ceremony which marked their official acceptance as students at the University. The Sports Department hosted a media brunch in September 2011 to introduce 30 recipients of sports scholarships from the disciplines of netball, table tennis, cricket, football and track and field. Netball captain Nadine Bryan; former West Indies Test player Wavell Hinds; World University Games silver medallist Peter Matthews; top female table tennis player Yvonne Foster, and former Under-17 goalkeeper Leighton Donaldson headlined the beneficiaries of the sports scholarships which were announced at the media brunch. Mona Principal, Professor Gordon Shirley (seated 2nd from left) noted that the scholarship programme comprised tuition waivers, housing, nutrition, access to a sports psychology, student advisory services, and the rescheduling of exams. Also in the photo (seated l-r) are Daniel Wilson, Vice President, Guild of Students; Dr Camille Bell Hutchinson, Campus Registrar; Cherine Richards, Assistant Sports Coordinator, and Dalton Myers, Student Services Manager (Sports)

The Campus Registrar looks on as matriculant, Andre Dean James signs Principal Shirley congratulates the 2011 matriculant. Looking on is another the register on behalf of all the new students. top achiever, Grade 9 student and top performer in the GSAT examinations Kuti Ra, who was also recognised at the Matriculation ceremony. s sTaNdINg OVaTION! The Alumni Week of activities culminated at the University Chapel on August 14, with an Organ Recital, led by Dr Kola Owalabi, (right) Assistant Professor of Music and University Organist at Syracuse University. This was the first occasion at which the newly refurbished organ was being played and patrons gave the musical feast a standing ovation. s

bEsT bOOTh aT grEEN ExPO The UWI, Mona won the award for Most Attractive Booth at the biennial Green Expo 2011, hosted by the Jamaica Conservation & Development Trust (JCDT) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel June 10-12, 2011. The theme of the expo was “Balancing Development with Environmental Protection.” Mona’s booth focused on work being done by Mona Geoinformatics, Ltd., the Energy Conservation Unit, the Environmental Management Unit, the Department of Life Sciences at its Port Royal and Discovery Bay Marine Laboratories and the Centre for Marine Sciences. Third-year Actuarial Sciences student in the Department of Mathematics at Mona The objective was to demonstrate the wide range of work being done on and National Master (NM) Damion Davy (left) claimed the title of 44th Jamaica environmental matters at the institution The Principal congratulates sports scholarship recipients Jerome de Lorne (left) National Chess Champion recently, when he finished with an outstanding, unbeaten and Nicholas Maitland. score of nine points from a possible eleven. The event featured twelve of the best local chess players. Here, he is congratulated by player, Ian Wilkinson.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

career banker, Minna Israel, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was GRADUATES CHALLENGED TO USE also conferred on General Manager of the Jamaica National Building Society, Earl Jarrett at the ceremony on Saturday THEIR TALENTS TO DEVELOP REGION afternoon. housands of excited ON BEING A GOOD STEWARD family members UWI Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, in his address, and well wishers commented on the good stewardship which the Mona T Campus had displayed in relation to regional governments, converged on the Mona the careful management of the natural resources and its Campus for the annual “contribution to the human capital, by nurturing and graduation ceremonies. educating the young’. He noted that the 2010/2011 academic Some 3,434 persons were year had seen a 6% increase in the total registration of awarded degrees, 952 at the students over the previous year while there had been a 15% increase in new students for the 2011/2012 academic year. The Minna Israel graduate level, and 2,481 at Chancellor also commented favourably on the 10% increase in the undergraduate level. the number of males registered, noting that this represented the result of the efforts being made to specifically target Graduates from the Faculties of males and interest them in higher education. Humanities and Education and Pure In their charge to the graduates, the three honorary & Applied Sciences were presented on Usain Bolt graduates addressed a common theme. Erna Brodber made Friday, November 4, those from the an impassioned plea for graduates to use their education Nine students from the first cohort of the MSc Politics and Faculties of Medical Sciences, Engineering and skills to help lift up communities in the rural areas. “Our International Cooperation programme were awarded the university has done its job. It is over to us now the graduates, and Law on Saturday, November 5 at degree. The UWI Mona has a cooperation agreement with to transform the barracks, the negro yards, the people holding 10. 00 a.m. and the remaining students two French universities, the University of Bordeaux IV and out their calabash bowls, their bamboo joints for the salted the University Antilles-Guyane, under which Mona offers a were presented to the Chancellor at the fish, and their hands for the two suits of clothes due them by jointly taught B.Sc. /M.Sc. degree in Politics and International graduation ceremony for the Faculty of law, into self sustaining communities of people”, she said. Social Sciences, held Saturday, November Cooperation. The final year of this programme is delivered at Mona. 5 at 5.30 p.m. Minna Israel argued that ‘around the globe, the voices of a new young world are ringing out for change. I want to charge Another pioneering group included the 16 persons who had you to use your education and life experiences at UWI to be pursued the Master of Science degree in Forensic Science. The active change agents to improve Jamaica, and make it the Master of Science in Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary Earl Jarrett ideal place to work and live and raise families. Be courageous! programme that provides students with theoretical and Be Brave! Be the change!” was her challenge to the graduates. practical background to prepare them for effective careers in Forensic Science. The MSc programme is designed to have In the final address of the graduation ceremonies on Saturday emphases (disciplines) in forensic molecular biology, forensic afternoon, Earl Jarrett noted the difficulties faced by the chemistry, forensic pathology and forensic toxicology. The region which continued to experience the outward migration programme of study was designed using the guidelines of of 75% of our tertiary trained graduates. He encouraged the the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, new graduates to help make the region more welcoming: National Institute of Justice Special Report (2004) on “We must create a space for people from all over the world to Education and Training in Forensic Science. feel welcome in our region, and this may well include revising some of our own immigration laws so that talented people HONORARY DEGREES from across the globe can come here to achieve their Honorary degrees were also presented to five icons of the dreams.” Erna Brodber society: on Friday afternoon, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on world record holder Usain Bolt, while At the same time, he urged the graduates to seek to stay FIRST COHORTS novelist and Community activist Erna Brodber received the in the region , “to strengthen organisations and allow new Among the graduates was the first cohort of 83 persons who honorary degree of Doctor of Letters. On Saturday morning, entrepreneurial activities to bloom in the region… and, in had pursued degree programmes in eleven disciplines at the medical doctor and founder and National Director of the so doing, make real… the great prospects for the continued UWI Mona Campus Western Jamaica Campus in Montego Advanced Trauma Management (ATOM) course, Dr. Lenworth development of our countries and region.” Bay. The group included 58 undergraduates and 25 persons at Jacobs received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science and Lenworth Jacobs the graduate level.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES GRADUATES URGED TO USE THEIR TALENTS THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES IMPaCTINg ThE WOrLd… POsTgrad sTUdENTs aChIEVE INTErNaTIONaL aWards Miss Watson was one of only two young chemists from this region who were invited with full sponsorship (with all airfare, accommodation, and conference expenses paid). In her application, she described her investigations into two invasive citrus pests that have been found on the Family and friends give full support to the graduates citrus plants in the region, the Citrus and Chequered Swallowtail Butterflies the latter being a recent discovery. Her research has led to two recent patent applications for effective methods of control against both pest species, and which have the added benefit of also being environmentally friendly. Her research supervisor is Dr. Trevor Yee of Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, congratulates the father-daughter pair of the UWI Mona’s Natural Products Anthony and Shena Woodburne, who both graduated with the Master of Institute. Science (MSc) in Government. Charah Watson Donovan Campbell was one of three Donovan Campbell international postgraduate students Charah Watson , a PhD. Candidate in invited to the Third International supervisor, Professor David Barker. the Department of Chemistry, Mona, Conference on Climate Change: This particular article also attracted is the recipient of an International Year Impacts and Responses in Rio de the attention of NASA, who highlighted of Chemistry Award. The Award was Janeiro, Brazil recently to receive an his research in their on-line publication presented to her recently at a prestigious award for their outstanding doctoral Sensing Our Planet: NASA Earth Science Natural Products, Medicinal, and Organic research. Research Features in special feature Synthesis Chemistry Symposium held in ‘Catching a Crop’, by Karla Lefevre. celebration of the International Year of Mr Campbell is a PhD candidate in the Chemistry in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and at Department of Geography & Geology, Donovan’s doctoral research is on which four Nobel Prize Winners in Mona. He was also asked to Chair five Climate Change and Small Farming in Chemistry were among the invited panel sessions as well as to present on southern St Elizabeth, and focuses on speakers. his research topic at the Conference climate change impacts on domestic themed ‘Climate Change and its Global food production, food security and The year 2011 has been designated Implications for People, Ethics and the livelihood vulnerability of small by the United Nations Educational Equity’. farmers in Jamaica. The research Scientific and Cultural Organisation utilizes both quantitative techniques (UNESCO) and the International Union Donovan is co-author in five peer- (Livelihood Vulnerability Indices) and of Pure and Applied Chemistry as the reviewed publications based on his qualitative (ethnography) methods to International Year of Chemistry. doctoral research and additional understand how small farmers cope collaborative research with colleagues with and adapt to climatic variability As part of the celebrations, the in universities in the United Kingdom, and change. This research was featured organisers also invited one hundred the United States and Canada. One of in the UWI Research for Development promising young chemists from around these articles received the Principal’s (2011) booklet and in the last two the world to present their research at Award for the best publication in the issues of the science magazine the Symposium themed ‘Integrated Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences in CaribXplorer. The big moment Solutions for Tomorrow’s World’. January 2011, in conjunction with his

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Student

Feature THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES 3 NEW PROFESSORS THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

(continued from page 21) teachers across the region to work and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1987. led more recently to the Caribbean study at the same time. He has served as Head of the Physical Poetry Project initiative with the Chemistry Section in the Department Meet Cricketer scholar Wavell hinds Faculty of Education at Cambridge Professor Bryan has served as the UWI of Chemistry for some 21 years. He is a So, uWI’s new emphasis on sports is not a competition University in the United Kingdom. Representative on the Education and dedicated educator who has supervised FOrMEr WEsT INdIEs PLayEr JOINs UWI MONa ON sPOrTs sChOLarshIP with other schools such as uTech or GC Foster College, The project promotes the teaching Training Thematic Working Group MSc. and PhD candidates and has which have made earlier strides. It’s just the sensible thing and learning of Caribbean poetry in under Vision 2030 Jamaica – National taught within the chemistry programme for the premier university to do, Myers said. the Caribbean and the UK. Development Plan (NDP) and successive across all four campuses of the UWI. t’s Saturday afternoon and the Medium term Socio- Economic Policy Professor Ellis was also a recipient of a competition is on in the middle of Also, Myers said, the aim is to build university pride. Sport Beverley Bryan has published widely Frameworks. She was also a Member Senior Fulbright Research Fellowship to the much-anticipated second annual has got to become a big, cool deal on campus. ‘Mona of the Writing group for Jamaica’s the Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State I in her field. She is the author of two uWI/uTech Championship. uWI, Mona Sports tun up’ reads one of many promotional t-shirts. books: the first, a co-authored National Report on the Development University in Ohio, USA and has been will go on to beat uTech in four Then there’s, of course, the social media marketing landmark text “The Heart of the Race: and State of the Art of Adult Learning supported in his research work from out of five sports. campaign the sports department is mounting. Black Women’s Lives in Britain” won and Education with the Jamaican local and international grants. the Martin Luther King Award in 1985 Foundation for Lifelong Learning for now, though, in the final moments of “We’re doing everything to get to the students,” Myers and has provided impetus for the UNESCO’s Conference on Adult Professor Ellis has a distinguished what never seemed to be a glorious said. recent oral history exhibition of Black Education (CONFINTEA) in Brazil 2009. record of original work. For more than battle, it is clear that the cricket team women’s contribution to Britain. Her 30 years he has steadily researched and is going to lose. latest book is ‘Between two Grammars: has published in many international Research and Practice for Language peer review journals, particularly in But uWI’s number-four batsman, Learning and Teaching in a Creole- the area of liquid crystals, the thermal former West Indies cricketer speaking Environment” which was behaviour of soaps and in organic salts Wavell Hinds, sees the loss published in 2010. She has also written which are essential elements in the as a lesson. The team, he book chapters in eight books and human diet. His work with liquid says, can learn its way has thirteen refereed articles in crystals has involved carrying out forward from this loss. international journals as well as eight important structural and thermal technical reports and various book characterization of a range of lead, zinc In fact, lessons are what Hinds is hoping to concentrate on reviews. She has supported the work and lithium compounds exhibiting in this chapter of his life. He’s in love with learning, he of colleagues and peers through liquid crystallinity. This work has been says. So he’s “very excited” about studying journalism on editorship and management of two extensively cited in international a sports scholarship at the university of the West Indies, refereed journals based in the School scientific journals and monographs. Mona. of Education, Mona. His current research interests include Structural, Microscopic and DSC studies Many may wonder, however, what this 35 year-old could Her contribution to the University of Metal Carboxylates and Metal Ions have to offer a university cricket team made up of Professor Shirley greets Wavell HInds. itself has been significant. As Head of as Thermal Stabilizers for Water youngsters in their late teens and early twenties. A lot, Department, she was responsible for Soluble Polymers (hydrogels). Hinds says. And uWI’s director of sports, Dalton Myers, To that end, they have sought top athletes; including the consolidation and extension of seconds that. He says Hinds is still at the top of his game, national netball team captain nadine Bryan and five-time the collaborative relationship with Professor Ellis has made contributions and even if he’s not, he’s still better than a lot of other national table tennis champion yvonne Foster. They’ve Teachers’ Colleges in offering the BEd to industry and provided public service people. built partnerships with such entities as Racers Track Club, degree in Literacy Studies, the in a number of areas. He has been a usain Bolt and yohan Blake’s club. The university has also promotion of the Science, Mathematics member of the Soap and Detergent Hinds, who has been playing cricket for 16 years, was one been working on having the best facilities, one of which is and Information Technology Centre Committee as well as the Paints and of 30 athletes who uWI awarded part or full scholarships the only IAAF-certified university track in the country. All which has led to the initiation of a Prof. Henry Ellis Surfaces Committee of the Bureau of this year as part of its thrust to boost its sports programme. the coaches, too, are national coaches. collaborative relationship with the Standards, receiving commendation The simple idea is that if uWI can have the best athletes, University of Reading in the area of Henry Anthony Ellis holds both the from them for his contribution to then it can be the best in sports. ‘Best’ here means the “They (uWI) have the right infrastructure, the right staff Mathematics and Science teaching, Bachelor of Science (BSc (Hons) and standards development in Jamaica. most solid, well-rounded athletes and outstanding facilities in terms of coaches. They’re on the right path. They just and the introduction of the BEd Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees Professor Ellis also offers scientific and support systems for them. need to keep brining in the right talent,” Hinds said. Primary Maths and Science being from the University of Leeds, United advice to various local bodies and has piloted in Grenada. With programmes Kingdom and was also Science carried out numerous consultations for “We want to develop athletes. We want to develop Hinds’ role in the team will not be limited to just playing. like the latter in Grenada, she has led Research Council Scholar, UK. Professor industries in the bauxite, agriculture talents. We do it in research, we do it in academics, we He will also help to mentor younger players or maybe the move in Education to offer online Ellis lectured courses in Physical and and edible oils industries. He also have the cultural part of it, and now we want to teach even become assistant coach after a while. undergraduate degrees in Literacy Polymer Chemistry at the University of served as Board Member of athletes different things. We want to teach them life skills, Studies, Mathematics and English- Ife in Nigeria then joined the staff of Metropolitan Parks and Markets. we want to teach them to become better athletes. We “I’m in love with the game of cricket,” he said “and I want giving an opportunity to many The UWI, Mona in 1982. He was want them to become better leaders,” Myers said. to preserve the game.”

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UWI News News THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES Chancellor’s Medal for Sir Shridath sEVEN rECEIVE UWI VICE ChaNCELLOr’s West Indies, regional statesman and former aWard FOr ExCELLENCE Commonwealth Secretary-General, was awarded the highly coveted Chancellor’s OPEN CaMPUs Caribbean Award for Excellence Medal at a ceremony held at the Cave (AnSCAFE) in 2010 and is Hill Campus of the university in Barbados. currently President of the rEgIsTrar Jamaican Association of Clinical Pathologists (JACP). The Chancellor’s medal is a special award aPPOINTEd of distinction made by the uWI Chancellor to a person who has made a signal, substantial and lasting contribution to the welfare and development of the university of the West Indies, or has enabled the university to access significant resources for the achievement of its mission of unlocking the region’s potential through delivering quality higher education through teaching, outreach, service and research. Recipients of this year’s Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence at the St. Augustine Campus reception, from left: Prof. Minerva Thame Previous awardees have been Sir Philip Prof. Julie Meeks Gardner; Prof. Anthony Clayton; Prof. Kathleen Coard; Prof. Vijay Narayansingh, Dr. Anna-May Sherlock, Sir Alister McIntyre, The Most Professor Minerva Thame Sir Shridath Ramphal, Chancellor Emeritus Edwards-Henry, Mrs. Eda Martin and Prof. Minerva Thame. Honourable P. J. Patterson and most has attained international of the University of the West Indies recently, vice-Chancellor Emeritus, the late he UWI has recognised Instructional Development unit uWI’s Medical DM (Pathology) recognition for her publications n Thursday, October 20th, Sir Professor Rex nettleford who received the the outstanding at St Augustine and Mrs. Eda programme to become a and research which focus on the area of maternal nutrition and Shridath Ramphal, Chancellor award in november, 2009 – three months Tcontributions of seven Martin , Manager Customer Professor of Pathology. She has Service, Office of Finance, been Lecturer at Mona since its impact on foetal growth and Emeritus of the university of the before his passing. members of staff at its 2011 O Mrs. Karen Ford-Warner Vice Chancellor’s award for Mona have been recognised 1984, and is a founding member birth outcome. She received The Excellence held October 5, for outstanding service to the of the Jamaica branch of Mona Principal’s Award for the NEW LaW FaCULTy bUILdINg OPENEd he university of the West Indies 2011 at the st augustine university. Director of the Teaching Improvement Project Most Outstanding Researcher in is pleased to announce the Campus. Vice Chancellor, Institute for Sustainable Systems (TIPS), a former Chair the Faculty of Medical Sciences appointment of Mrs Karen Ford- Professor E. Nigel harris Development, Professor of the Department of Pathology for the academic years 2007/ T 2008 and 2009/2010, an award Warner as Campus Registrar, uWI Open presented the prestigious anthony Clayton was awarded Examination Review Committee Campus, effective August 15, 2011. awards to this year’s in the category Public Service and is Chief Editor for the end from the Jamaica Medical recipients Professors and Professor Julie Meeks- of module Final Examination Foundation for outstanding Kathleen Coard, Minerva gardner who heads the Open Papers for BMedSci and MBBS contribution in the field of Child Mrs Ford-Warner, who recently served Thame, anthony Clayton Campus’ Caribbean Child students in the Faculty of Health and The Paul Harris as Open Campus Alumni Relations and Mrs. Eda Martin of the Development Centre received Medical Sciences. Fellow Award from the Rotary Consultant, brings to this new post a Mona Campus; dr. anna-May the award for All-round Club of new Kingston in 2009. rich and broad range of expertise and Edwards-henry and Professor Performance in two categories: She has participated in experience both nationally and regionally Vijay Narayansingh, st Research Accomplishments and numerous professional “It is always a great feeling when in the fields of education, law, public augustine Campus, and Public Service. workshops on curriculum you are recognised by your sector management and tourism. She Professor Julie Meeks development, and conducted peers for the work you have holds graduate degrees from Columbia gardner of the Open Campus. staff training workshops with done, but it is an even more university Teachers’ College (M.A. in TIPS and the Instructional awesome feeling when you Development unit. Professor receive one of the highest awards International Educational Development), Professor of Pathology, Kathleen Coard received the award for Coard has more than 60 for your work from your alma and Harvard university’s John F. Kennedy Teaching while two awards each publications in internationally mater” she said. “But let me not School of Government (Masters in Public were presented in the categories recognised journals. Her take this glory all alone, as I must Administration) as well as an LLB Degree Research Accomplishments and research is dedicated to the thank my mentors who have from The uWI and a Certificate of Legal Service to the university understanding and treating of guided me to this point, and to Education from the norman Manley Law Community. Awardees in the prostate cancer and soft tissue them I must be eternally grateful. School. Her undergraduate studies were Research category are Professor tumours and she has received The receipt of this prestigious pursued at Harvard university, from Minerva Thame , Head, more than six medical awards, award will be recorded in the which she graduated with a BA (cum Department of Child Health, including the Jamaica Medical archives and become part of our university’s history. Such an Vice Chancellor, Prof Nigel Harris, proudly leads the way into the Faculty of Law building after laude) in Sociology. Mona, and Professor Vijay Foundation award in 2009 for outstanding achievement in the achievement will only serve to sharing in the cutting the ribbon to formally declare the facility open. Joining him are Minister Narayansingh of the Prof. Kathleen Coard (continued on page 32) Department of Surgery, St. fields of pathology and research. encourage me to continue to of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, Mona Principal, Professor Gordon Shirley (partially hidden) and Augustine, while dr. anna-May Professor Kathleen Coard is the Professor Coard was also the strive to maintain this standard.” Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne. henry , Director of the first female graduate of The winner of the Anthony n. Sabga

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often difficult and frustrating. goal of maintaining a first-class So I am honoured and grateful university, producing persons OPEN CaMPUs to have been given the vice- with undergraduate and graduate Chancellor’s Award for degrees of excellent quality, rEgIsTrar Excellence. The support and who will play a vital role in the (continued from page 32) encouragement of the academic growth and development of the She has served as Executive community will give me the Caribbean region and in the Director of the Tourism strength to go on, with renewed international arena.” Product Development faith and commitment.” Company (TPDCo) in Jamaica Current head of the Open Campus’ and for six years was the Caribbean Child Development Deputy Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Prof. Anthony Clayton Organisation (CTO) based at its headquarters in Barbados. Professor anthony Clayton is the During a four-year tenure as Alcan Professor of Caribbean Director General of the Sustainable Development at Tourism Division in the Office the Institute for Sustainable Development at uWI. He has of the Prime Minister (now served as the lead policy advisor the Ministry of Tourism) in for both the Fifth Summit of the Jamaica, she was responsible Americas and the Commonwealth for overall policy formulation and planning for tourism Heads of Government meetings Mrs. Eda Martin held in Trinidad and Tobago in development, and initiated the process leading to the 2009. Additionally, Professor Mrs. Eda Martin has been with Prof. Julie Meeks-Gardner Clayton has served on the the university since her appoint- development of Jamaica’s Squatter Management Committee ment as Executive Secretary to the Centre, Professor Julie Meeks- Tourism Master Plan. From of the Ministry of Housing, Director of Finance/university gardner is a widely published 2005 to 2007, she was Head Jamaica, where he was the lead Bursar in 1993. She was directly uWI academic who specialises in of the School of Hospitality author of the Committee’s report involved with the restructuring of Child Development and nutrition. and Tourism Management at which set out a proposed new the Office of Finance and in She is also a former member the university of Technology, policy for the management of conjunction with the university’s of the Board of Childwatch Jamaica. informal settlements. He has also Bursars co-ordinated the first International, a network of served in an advisory capacity to workshops on the Financial Code research organisations that focus A certified Mediator, she was the uK Government Prime and the Financial Procedures and on children and children’s issues; also Chief Legal Counsel for Minister’s Strategy unit and Guidelines. The uWI alumna is a the uWI representative on the the Jamaica Commodity Foreign Commonwealth Office on holder of an MSc in Resource CARICOM Working Group on Trading Company between Development who has provided Early Childhood and a member policy options for the Caribbean 1987 and 1993. She has been as well as the European administrative support to The of the Executive of the Jamaican Commission. For his service and uWI’s Grants Committee and national Food and nutrition involved in alumni relations leadership excellence, Professor Taskforce on Capital Development Coordinating Committee. for Harvard university as an Clayton has been honoured with needs. At present, Mrs. Martin interviewer and mentor for the 8th World Congress of manages meetings of the Professor Meeks-Gardner is undergraduate students, and Consuls Award of Excellence. Technical Advisory Committees a founding member of the was a member for four years (TACs) and the Campus and Children’s Issues Coalition, a of the Alumni Executive As he indicated to Mona university Grants Committees group of academics at uWI who Council of the Kennedy Magazine , “I have been advising (CGC & uGC) among other core are striving to enable more School of Government. on policy issues for over thirty duties. She has also been involved integrated research, teaching, years, and have worked with with the uWI Mentorship outreach services and Mrs Ford-Warner sits on many governments and Programme since 2006. dissemination of research various boards, including the international agencies, as well as findings, in areas related to Earl Warner Trust, a serving as the lead policy advisor Mrs. Martin says her first reaction children. The group is responsible foundation dedicated to the for two world summits. My main was surprise. “I think this vice for Caribbean Childhoods: memory of her late husband, projects now are concerned with Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Documenting the Reality, a Barbadian writer and theatre Jamaica’s national security, is a tribute not just to myself, and database of research on director, Earl Warner, which defence and policing, systems the Office of Finance where I children’s issues which has encourages progressive of planning and regulation, work, but to all the administrative obtained grants worth over Caribbean theatre and and management of illegal departments that play a vital JA$2.2 million from the provides scholarships for supporting role in achieving the Environmental Foundation of settlements. Crime, corruption students of the performing and failures of governance are strategic goals of the uWI, and I Jamaica. The Children’s Issues the main obstacles to Jamaica’s accept this in this regard.” Coalition also produces an annual arts in the Caribbean. development and prosperity, journal entitled Caribbean so the nation’s future depends “This is an acknowledgement [of] Childhoods, for which they have She is the mother of two on our ability to solve these the efforts of the administration obtained a uS$15,000 grant from children, Zahra aged 20 and problems. However, the problems to complement the academic unICEF. Djavan aged 17. are deep-rooted, so the work is thrust of the uWI in the common 30

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is well under way with its strategy of Great things lie ahead not just for young, but “the University of the West indies – maximising these instances as it moves for all the other persons who are able to join towards the development of sport as a viable the university’s drive to sporting success. where sprint dreams really can come true” Caribbean Industry. Millions of dollars have The Mona Campus has already begun the already been invested across the various re-development of the Bowl as a Centre from a background with limited resources, I am determined to make campuses with focus on research, development for Sporting Excellence with plans for the the best of this opportunity”. and facilities. This macro view of course has construction of a Jamaica Football Academy mind-boggling potential, if the participants and the development of a stadium to It’s this kind of passion and commitment that drives the successes of believe that the successes are possible – and complement the existing track as well as the Mona Sprint team. The urge for greatness and the yearning for they are, just ask Jason young. the continued development of the existing victory by these young athletes are what keep the brave and loyal sand court to accommodate beach football Pelican spirit alive. Each training day, the battalion of uWI sprinters Once just another little boy with a big dream, and beach volleyball. congregates at the Mona Bowl for a round of endurance training and Jason young hails from the parish of Trelawny, a rigourous fitness workout to start off the day. With a team that is home to many successful athletes such as One of the developments of which the dedicated and a well trained head coach, the uWI has a proven veronica Campbell Brown, usain Bolt, Marvin Campus is understandably proud is that it is formula for success. Anderson, Michael Frater and Mario Forsythe. now home to what is one of the best running The university of the West Indies has been a tracks in the region. A Regupol Athletic Track “Hard work, dedication and sacrifice,” says Coach Glen Mills, “that’s key factor in helping to actualise that dream, donated to usain Bolt by the German my sprint team’s formula for success. We also have a very good and young, who is now in his second year of manufacturers is domiciled at the Mona Bowl support team including a group of coaches who are some of the Scholarship recipient Jerome de Lorne studies pursing a Degree in Accounting, is also training facility. What better symbol of a best on the island and perhaps in the world and that makes our the holder of the 200M Silver Medal from the successful synergy. This track has brought administrative team, one of high standards.” It is these high standards the resources that are readily available on the recent World university Games in Shenzhen, together the visions of two separate yet that have been adopted by the athletes both on and off the track. In campus to support our sports development China. young is happy with the relationship, similar groups of young people full of energy, order for student-athletes to represent the Campus, their school work thrust”. and believes he has the best coach in the rich dreams, stunning talent and strong in must also be of a certain level. world and all the support he needs. “With a Caribbean roots. The Mona Campus has vowed maximum scholarship, good training facilities, mental Mona DreaMs – racing to sprint success “The uWI encourages each student-athlete to perform well support to ensuring that the Pelican spirit guidance and academic tutorial support, I am now on the same track, under the same roof academically and athletically”, says Director of Sports of the university lives, and dreams such as that of Jerome de comfortable here. I know that the university and guided by the hands of the same man, he dreams of young Jamaican athletes to become the next usain of the West Indies, Dalton Myers. Each student-athlete is expected to Lorne can be made a reality. The region as a will always be there for me. This journey has there is no doubt that a world of even richer Bolt or yohan Blake, have spread past the island shores, across maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above each semester. We recognise that this whole benefits from each of these individuals been a good one for me. I am now way more successes is about to be unveiled and more the region and even further beyond – prompting new interests, sometimes is a challenge and as such provide tutoring for most of the who actually achieves high-level sporting confident in myself and know that great things sprinting dreams about to come true. T success, and the university of the West Indies are ahead for me.” igniting passions and changing lives. One such life irrevocably altered student-athletes as supplementary support. So far we have seen that with a racer’s dream, is that of Trinidadian born athlete, Jerome de the assistance we provide is making a difference and it is refreshing to Lorne. This Caribbean national has however, moved beyond just see that most students meet the academic standard we set”. dreaming. He has actually begun that long and arduous trek to sprinter stardom. Leaving behind his home and family, he has moved to The university is not the only entity with high expectations. Coach Jamaica to embrace a new home with the uWI Mona Track Team, Mills, while he has been doing an exceptional job with the team, in the hands of a new family – the seasoned care of the very coach aligning his passion and talent with the vision of the university to that gave the world Bolt and Blake. “Mona seems better equipped to produce high quality student-athletes, also has high expectations of the deal with athletes”, says de Lorne, “It offers more opportunity and staff Institution itself. He feels that additional support and development is support. Training facilities are more accessible and I think Mona is integral to continued success. better prepared to deal with injuries.” “One of my concerns”, says Coach Mills, is the issue of nutrition. I don’t At the age of eight, Jerome discovered his talent and passion for athletics believe that the nutritional programme that the uWI currently has when he was asked to represent his school during a sports meet. Feeding running is compatible with world-class standards. However, I know that that passion through his high school years, he continued participating in the institution is making an effort to improve the situation. Even so, a variety of sports meets, hoping that one day the perfect opportunity his passion and yearning for greatness seems to have surpassed his would come along to show his talent to the world. It did! Spotted by concerns and has added to uWI’s confidence that its efforts are really scouts at the Penn Relays earlier this year, de Lorne eventually received beginning to pay off. an official invitation to join the Mona contingent. now under the tutelage of one of Jamaica’s most renowned track coaches, Glen Mills, de By investing more in injury rehabilitation, improved training facilities, Lorne , far away from his early dreams in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, has begun research, drug testing and nutritional programmes, Mills is confident a reality that is still the stuff of dreams for many others. This is a reality that better things are in store for athletes of the uWI sprint team. where he has access to the fastest men in the world, the chance not only to learn through watching them make their magic on the track, but to These are the exact sentiments of uWI Mona’s Principal Gordon Shirley. also shoot the breeze, or as they say at the uWI, ‘lyme’ with them. There He is excited about the strides that the Mona Campus has made and is also the privilege of being taught by the same coach as they are, and continues to make toward a renewed sporting culture at the institution. also of learning to run on the same track. “We have the Faculty of Medical Sciences, which has a sports medicine programme, so we do rehabilitation; the Forensic Science Department But that’s the sweet side. This is also a reality that has him living the and the Department of Chemistry, which is responsible for conducting life of a typical uWI student-athlete, with its accompanying challenges. drug testing in the island and regionally, and we also have a nutritional He is strongly optimistic however, that good things will eventually programme which is managed by the Food and nutrition Institute here come his way. “Training is tough, it’s really tough. I am not used to this at Mona as well as a really big nutrition programme now in the Tropical type of intense training back at home, having to run distances so long, Medical Research unit. In the Physics Department we have developed but I have begun to see improvements. I feel stronger already. Coming the capacity for bio-mechanical analysis. So the idea is to draw on all

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UWI vs UTECH

Netball UWI netballers outclassed the UTECh team, to secure a 35-5 victory. goal attack Cera Christie volleyball netted 24 goals from 26 attempts. basketball football s The basketballers showed grit and determination to secure a come-from-behind win over UTECh, cricket 37-30.

5 sports! s The teams received enthusiastic crowd support. tThe final event of the day was football and UWI 2 teams! footballers held their nerve to take the match 1 champioN! 5-4 on penalty kicks after a regulation-time draw. UWI, Mona retained the UWI/UTECh sports Championship Trophy, dominating the Championship by winning four of the five events in the competition.

UWI's dominance continued on the volleyball court, beating UTECh 25-6 and 25-20.

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men’s 110m hurdles and ran a per- Jason, a second-year student in the Students Shine at sonal best of 13.24 seconds. Faculty of Social Sciences, placed joint second in the 200 metres Parchment is now Jamaica’s third University Games fastest sprint hurdler in the event. event. Both are recipients of UWI, Mona Sports Scholarships. TributeS He is also the Gibson Relays record he was appointed the first Executive Director many stories. He always had a story or he University of the holder in the event. West Indies, Mona Professor of the newly created Natural Products personal experience that left some in awe Tcongratulates Hansle Ajai Mansingh Institute at UWI in 1999 and served in this and inspired many through challenges they Parchment and Jason capacity until 2003. During his tenure, were facing. He had an unusual way of Young who won medals His impact on he was instrumental in the establishment convincing the most doubting students that for Jamaica at the recently of the International Society for the they could pass his course. At no time did concluded World University the scientific community Games held in Shenzhen, China. Hansle, a third will transcend generations Development of Natural Products and he consider lowering the bar; instead, he year student in the Faculty of Pure and Applied served as the Founding President and convinced them that with his guidance, Sciences, won Jamaica’s sixth gold medal in the later as President Emeritus. they could rise to the bar. As a Lecturer in Entomology, he often had to deal with His impact on the scientific community entomophobia among students and had will transcend generations because of his some peculiar ways of helping them role in guiding the development of young overcome this. While others thought these minds in the field of science. He had a methods were strange and sometimes risky, unique and special relationship with each many past students attest to the success of of the 35 MPhil and PhD students that he these tactics in helping them to overcome supervised. Being his student meant being a their fear. part of his family and he was able to bring out the best in his students through Professor Mansingh willingly shared his tempered agitation glazed with subtle wealth of knowledge and experience. He praise. All his students were encouraged served as consultant to the World Bank to believe in themselves, associate with a in the development of policies for the cause and not be afraid to push for management of pesticides and toxic improvements that would redound to chemicals in Central America and the the benefit of others. Students could rest Caribbean; to the Caribbean Environmental assured that even if they strayed into an Trust, where he guided the training of rofessor Ajai Mansingh, affectionately area with which he did not agree, they stakeholders in the management of known to his graduate students as ‘The would have his guidance and support in pesticides in the environment; and as a realigning those thoughts and actions. This director on various committees and Hansle Parchment won the 110-metre hurdles in a PChief’, joined The UWI, Mona in the Department of Zoology (now Life Sciences) extended to students who were not directly statutory boards. personal best of 13.24 seconds at the 2011 Universiade assigned to his supervision but who were in Shenzhen, China. as a Senior Lecturer in 1973. Originally from Fatehpur, India, Ajai Mansingh always stated strengthened by the encouragement which In recognition of his contributions to science that he chose to make Jamaica his home he provided. and the wider society he was appointed a because of the opportunity it afforded him Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (India), to act on his innermost reverie, thus making Those who interacted on a professional and awarded the National Silver Musgrave Medal the contribution to mankind which he personal level with Ajai Mansingh were for contributions in the field of Science and considered an obligation. often astounded by his forthrightness, Environment in Jamaica and the National bedazzled by his astuteness and amazed by Trust of Jamaica Award for heritage For some 30 years, Professor Mansingh made his tenacious adherence to what he publication. a significant contribution at Mona through considered a principled stance. This aspect of teaching and research in the fields of his character earned him some derision but Ajai Mansingh was passionate about Indian entomology, and pest and pesticide far more admiration. He was never afraid of heritage and culture, dedicating 40 years management. His research activities on controversy and frequently caused unease towards promoting an awareness of these in the environmental adaptations in insects, among those with whom he interacted. As the Caribbean. He influenced the perception the epidemiology and management of his grandson, Atishai, said of Hinduism and Indians in general, through various arthropod pests in Jamaica, pesticide in a tribute to him, “those who were not several writings on Indian heritage in pollution and management, pesticide bothered by him, were those who did not Jamaica and its influence on Jamaican ecotoxicology and the fate and persistence know him.” Yet, it is this unease that spurred society. His most extensive work on this was of pesticide residues, contributed many to find the inner strength the book “Home Away From Home - 150 Jason Young tied for second place in the 200 metres at significantly to the body of knowledge to change the course of their lives. years of Indian presence in Jamaica”, co- the University Games with South Africa's Thuso in these areas. authored with his wife, Laxmi Mansingh. Mpuang in 20.59 seconds. Professor Mansingh became known to many He frequently stated that his publications on After retiring from his post in Life Sciences, undergraduate students as the Lecturer of these issues were written with the sole aim 36 37

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES of promoting Inter-racial harmony in Professor Mansingh has made a significant adopted son of Jamaica and an outstanding Jamaica, through knowledge and and lasting contribution and subsequent member of the UWI community. understanding. generations will benefit from his body of work. We hail Professor Ajai Mansingh, an

the scholarship of Media and Communication sought to reform society through his craft. Professor Studies were accomplished between 1979 Between 1974 and 1989, he was a regular Aggrey Brown and 2002 when he was in CARIMAC in that Commentator/Talk-Show Host (“The Public dual capacity. The curricula in Media and Eye”) on Jamaican Radio and Television, as A pioneer in media and Communication Studies currently available at well as a Newspaper Columnist with the communication development the Mona Campus of the UWI are traceable, Jamaican Daily News. He was also a TV in the Caribbean directly or indirectly, to his academic and Cameraman and a Radio Announcer at administrative leadership of CARIMAC. Here is different points in his illustrious career as a one fitting recognition, among others, of his communication practitioner. In this sense, contributions to the development of this Brown was able to make the connection discipline by one of his former students: between the theories of Communication, “Through your pioneering work in media and which he taught effectively in the classrooms, communication in the Caribbean, media and and the professional practice of journalism as communication education, the impact on a newspaper reporter, a radio announcer, and culture of communication, the role of a TV cameraman, all rolled into one. He was communication in development, the role of indeed an exemplar and trail blazer in the media in development and the role of media communication discipline and profession in in informing and educating, you have Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. influenced significantly the direction of research and policy formation related to His contributions to nation-building through media and communication in the Caribbean.” public service were equally impressive. Since 1981 Brown has always been consulted by Professor Brown was successful as a teacher national, regional, and international agencies, in part because he was also an efficient such as CARICOM, CBU, and UNESCO, on researcher who contributed several refereed matters relating to media and media journal articles and book chapters, including development in the Caribbean. His he UWI, Mona deeply regrets the sole authored and co-authored books, to the reputation, however, went beyond the passing of former Director of CARIMAC advancement of scholarship in Media and Caribbean. In December 1981, for example, Tand Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Communication Studies. Given his acclaimed he was the expert advisor to the UNESCO & Education, Emeritus Professor Aggrey pioneering successes as an academic and Monitoring Group for Communication in Brown, on Wednesday, November 24, 2011. administrator at CARIMAC, he was Latin America and the Caribbean, including A graduate of Cornwall College, Brown subsequently appointed Dean of the Faculty Quito and Ecuador. Here at home, Brown’s obtained the BA degree in Political Science at of Humanities and Education in 2002. In that services and expertise have been engaged by the Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota; capacity, he continued to offer academic and the Government of Jamaica at different and, by 1973, he was also the proud recipient administrative leadership in curricula times. He has been, among others, a member of the MA and PhD degrees in Political development in the various disciplines within of the Public Education Committee, ODPEM, Science from the prestigious Princeton the Faculty of Humanities and Education. In between 1999 and 2006. University. Before completing the doctoral recognition of his competencies in Commun- degree, however, he had held various ication Studies, including his robust, broad In 2002, in recognition of his contributions teaching positions at the following tertiary and holistic understanding of the scholastic to nation-building, Aggrey Brown was institutions in the United States: Howard enterprise beyond the Faculty of Humanities conferred with a badge of honour by the University, The State University of New Jersey, and Education, Brown was appointed the Government of Jamaica, Commander of the and the City University of New York. Public Orator of the Mona Campus between Order of Distinction (CD); while the Mona 2002 and 2005. His performances as Public Campus, after his retirement in 2007, Equipped with these academic qualifications Orator, especially during graduation befittingly conferred on him the title of and experiences, Aggrey Brown joined the ceremonies, delightfully demonstrated his Professor Emeritus. The entire University Extra-Mural Studies Department (Eastern erudition as a communication specialist and Community mourns the passing of this Jamaica) of the University of the West Indies an academic who understood fully the illustrious son of Jamaica and wishes to in 1974. He worked there until 1979 before University’s role and place in society. express its sympathies to his wife, Dr. Suzanne moving to the Caribbean Institute of Media Francis-Brown, and other members of his and Communication (CARIMAC) as Professor Professor Brown was also a practising family. and Director. His remarkable contributions to journalist and a social critic who always

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