Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (third right) cuts the ribbon to officially open the University of the West Indies (UWI) Sculpture Park, at UWI, Mona campus, on Saturday. Looking on (from left) are principal of the UWI, Mona, Prof. Kenneth Hall; Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning; UWI Chancellor Sir George Alleyne and UWI Vice Chancellor E. Nigel Harris. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has challenged the University of the West Indies (UWI) to lead in intellectual thought and discourse on issues of regional importance, and support practical activities that will promote the closeness and integration of the Caribbean.
With reference to the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Mr. Patterson said the university should promote discussion on the issue and enable students and individuals to voice their opinion, in much the same way the creation of the West Indies Federation was vigorously debated.
PARK IN RECOGNITION
Mr. Patterson was speaking at the Mona campus of the UWI on Saturday at a ceremony to officially launch a Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) Park in recognition of graduates of the university who have served their countries as Heads of Government.
Prime Minister Patterson also lamented what he described as an apparent lack of regional interest and commitment among students attending the university. He acknowledged that the level of enrolment made on-campus residence for all students impractical but said it was unfortunate as the "texture" of our Caribbean personality could only be enriched by living together, no matter the country of origin.
IMBUED WITH CONVICTIONS
"As we move to the Single Market and Economy we don't only want academic theses emanating from the staff, but we want the students themselves to be imbued with the convictions of the tremendous possibility that regional economic integration has to offer in a globalised world," the Prime Minister said.
SEVEN CARIB PMS
He said it was not by chance or accident that the UWI had produced seven Caribbean Prime Ministers because that was among the purposes for which it was created. He noted that the university had not only produced political leaders, but graduates who were leaders of the highest quality in every sphere of life.
Noting that education was the key driver of economic transformation and social mobility, Mr. Patterson praised the university for its accomplishments despite the many challenges. But he urged the institution to extend its mandate to become the repository of the West Indian contribution, "not only to our own regional development but to the edifice we call civilisation."
