The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus is working with the Government of this country towards establishing a College of the UWI in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Professor V Eudine Barriteau, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus, in a letter to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves dated August 5, 2014, said the UWI Open Campus is honoured to represent the UWI and to work with {{more}}the Government of SVG on this initiative.

Barriteau said the concept of a College of UWI is an exciting opportunity for countries in the region to widen access to higher education at home, thus reducing the cost of pursuing education at this level to potential clients and governments alike.

“As conceptualized, a College of UWI is as a self-governing entity with its own committees and boards, with mutual representation on appropriate committees and boards of the College of UWI and of UWI. A College of UWI in any country is to be a centre of intellectual activity with its own facilities within the UWI community. A major benefit of being a part of the UWI community is that the College of UWI adopts UWI’s quality assurance standards for programmes certified by UWI. Where the College of UWI offers its own courses and programmes, it can either utilize the services of UWI or establish its own quality assurance arrangements in accordance with the national quality assurance body, where applicable.”

The Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal recommended that two committees, one in SVG, the other at UWI, be established “to facilitate expeditious progress” towards the establishing of the College here.

Professor Barriteau said the local committee, of three to five persons, which would be appointed by Government, would be “small, but powerful” and would spearhead the Government’s efforts.

“Once the National Committee is established, UWI will appoint a corresponding committee which will work with the National Committee to produce a proposal with a timeframe for implementation.

“We are excited by this development and look forward to working with your government towards the establishment of The University of the West Indies College Campus of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Professor Barriteau’s letter ended.