Principal’s Overview | 13
Medical science students champion the importance of good nutrition with a showcase of fresh produce
one (1) distinction awarded to graduates of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The valedictorian was Ms Iyka Dorival, who graduated with an LLB Degree with first class honours. At the graduate level, there were 370 degrees, diplomas and certificates awarded, including 20 doctoral degrees (10 PhD and 10 DM). Two doctoral students graduated with high commendation, and 133 Masters’ students with distinction. The Campus was pleased to confer honorary degrees on former West Indies Cricket Team opening batsmen, and International Cricket Council Hall of Famers, Sir Cuthbert Gordon Greenidge, KCMG, MBE and Mr Desmond Haynes, as well as internationally-acclaimed musician extraor- dinare, Mr Nicholas Brancker. Sir Gordon and Mr Haynes both received Degrees of Doctor of Laws (LLD), and Mr Brancker, the Doctor of Letters (DLitt). Mr Brancker was recognised for his contribution to culture, while Sir Gordon and Mr Haynes were honoured for their contri- butions to sport. ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING Despite the unprecedented circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Campus remained committed to curriculum renewal. This was evidenced by the number of submissions to the Board for Undergraduate Studies (BUS) and the Board for Graduate Studies and Research (BGSR)
for approval of new programmes or revisions to existing ones, aimed at enhancing the relevance of the programmes to the needs of industry and regional development. The undergraduate and postgraduate academic offerings for the 2021/2022 academic year included over 50 programmes approved in the previous academic year. These additions were designed to meet global demand and enhance gradu- ates’ employability. Prospective students may now choose from among more than 500 degree programmes offered across the Campus’ seven faculties, which are designed to prepare students for active participation in a technology-driven world that demands interdisciplinary knowledge and diverse language skills, in addition to their core competencies. The development of some programmes was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which generally increased aware- ness about health issues and served as a stark reminder of the threat posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to public health. The rise in childhood obesity, the call for a strong school nutrition policy and octagonal nutrition warning labels point to some of the health challenges the region faces. New undergraduate programmes in health are intended to address the human resource capacity gaps within regional health systems especially in the Caribbean, where there exists a dearth of trained nutrition professionals. For example, the BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics aims to
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES CAVE HILL CAMPUS ANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL 2021/2022
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