University of the West Indies owed US $150 million – Harris

The current debt owed to the University of the West Indies (UWI) now stands at US$150 million.{{more}}

This, according to Professor Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor at UWI, is just one of the challenges for the UWI going forward.

Harris was speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting of UWI’s Technical Advisory Committees (TACS) on February 14 at the National Insurance Services (NIS) training room.

According to Harris, the situation is one that could not continue and something that is not right.

“It serves us all, but will not serve our future generations good,” Harris said.

He suggested that all stakeholders should look at ways to fund the university, particularly now as the university is facing some significant challenges.

Among some of the other challenges identified is the issue of access of students to attend UWI, particularly from non-campus territories.

“It is true that we have introduced online education; it is true that there are some 5,000 students that are making use of this; but this is not enough,” Harris said.

“We believe that we have to fashion more integral relations with our community colleges and in fact see their own growth and development,” he continued.

He said that everyone across the region needed to come together to make sure that access is made possible to not just the young, but for all in the region.

The current enrolment is 47,000 throughout the region and according to Harris, the infrastructure has been expanded.

“It is our desire that every sector within the Caribbean will have access, virtual access to educational offerings from our residential campuses and beyond, through what we will call a virtual university space,” the Vice Chancellor said.

The issue, however, he explained, was that the university has outgrown itself and is at risk of outgrowing the supply chain.

Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister Girlyn Miguel said that students were now being forced to find alternative sources of instruction while trying to enhance their qualifications.

“But at a time when education achievement is being juxtaposed by capital borrowings, as our country is burdened by high debt to GDP ratios, and while our ability to increase output in traditional sectors which have been outdated, UWI must support the aspirations of our young school leavers,” Miguel said.

This can be achieved by establishing programs that motivate creativity and leadership, she explained. (DD)