Amitabh Sharma, Features Coordinator

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has initiated mentoring programmes to address the current gender imbalance of students on the Mona campus.

"It is a matter that requires attention," said Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris adding that "one of the ways that we can do this is inspiring the young men at an early age."

Professor Harris said the UWI has embarked on a school outreach programme. "We have created a group called vice chancellors ambassadors; they are part of the STAT group (Students Today Alumni Tomorrow)," the vice chancellor told The Gleaner. "They are actually going into the schools, carrying out mentorship and inspirational programmes."

Advocating volunteerism

"Their goal is working in the community, advocating volunteerism," Professor Harris said.

The ratio of males to females on the Mona campus is around 80:20. "If you look at Trinidad, in St. Augustine, the ratio is 60 females to 40 males," said Professor Harris. He noted that Barbados had more females but that the situation was not as acute as in Jamaica.

Lack of science, technology courses

One of the reasons, Professor Harris believes, is the lack of science and technology courses on the Mona campus. "The way that the Mona campus is: social sciences, humanities and arts make two- thirds of it. "We need to shift more to the technology fields, more science and more technology as a means to attracting young men."

Professor Harris also raised concerns about the quality of the primary and secondary education in the country. "The question system still is, are there enough males that are coming through the system to even come into the university?" he asked.

He believes that the mentorship programme would help these students to look in the right direction." He cautioned, however, that it could be years before any meaningful change is seen.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com