The Editor, Sir:

The Institute of Jamaica has hailed the University of the West Indies on attainment of its 60th anniversary in the following letter to Professor George Alleyne, Chancellor.

Dear Sir George,

Mindful of the historically close association between the Institute and the University of the West Indies (UWI), I extend to you the warmest congratulations of the council of the Institute of Jamaica on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the university.

Until the University College began in 1948, the Institute of Jamaica was the principal seat of learning, with the largest collections of books and Jamaican flora and fauna in the Anglophone Caribbean.

Many of the deliberations of the Irvine Commission took place in the same chamber where the Council meets to this very day, and included the then secretary of the institute, one Philip Manderson Sherlock, later deputy principal of the University College of the West Indies and a vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

Provided wise leadership

The literary and scientific collections of the institute were put at the disposal of the young academic community, while, as if in return, the university has provided wise and energetic leadership to the Institute.

Sir Philip and Professor the Honourable Rex Nettleford head the very long list of UWI scholars who over the years have served the Institute of Jamaica, as chairmen of council and of the boards of management. No fewer than three of the five living Fellows are retired members of the UWI community, Professors Nettleford, Sir Roy Augier and Gerald Lalor.

The present council, chaired by Professor Barry Chevannes, includes Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Ronald Young, Professor Rupert Lewis, Professor Emerita Daphne Douglas, and newly appointed member Professor Anthony Chen, who by his participation in the Nobel Prize of former United States Vic-President Al Gore, has brought such honour to the UWI, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Our executive director and alumnus of the university, Mr Vivian Crawford, was appointed deputy chairman to Professor Verene Shepherd of the National Bicentenary Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

Chancellor, on the basis of this deep and extensive relationship alone, we would be remiss were we to let pass this week of celebrations without extending to you our heartfelt congratulations, our thanks for the brilliance of your light shining from the west, and our pledge to continue working closely with you in the advancement of the literature, science and art of our peoples.

I am, etc,

BARRY CHEVANNES

Chairman IOJ

Professor Emeritus UWI

Professor Sir George Alleyne

Chancellor

The University of the West Indies

Kingston 7