CHILL News | ISSUE 28 March 2024 A PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, CAVE HILL CAMPUS, BARBADOS. We welcome your comments and feedback that can be directed to chillmagazine@cavehill.uwi.edu or CHILL c/o The Office of Marketing and Communications, The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown BB11000, Barbados. Tel (246) 417-7529
UWI Cave Hill Campus
ISSUE 28 March 2024
Bonus Edition
Licence to Flourish UWI - a Unifying Force AI: Opportunities and Threats Revenue-Generating Centre Open for Business
Discover Your Future Explore Your Interests, Passions and Aspirations to Shape Your Path at The UWI Cave Hill Campus Visit: www.cavehill.uwi.edu
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ISSUE 28: March 2024
Contents
DISCOURSE
60 Putting Pesky Mosquitoes to REST 62 Medical Researchers Champion Enhanced Cancer Care 64 Sargassum Sustains Inventors and Innovators 66 Cutting-Edge Agro-Facility Takes Shape 68 Awardee to Focus on NCDs PUBLICATIONS 70 New Publication Earns Sterling Evaluation 72 Poet Jacinth Howard Launches Single-authored Book 74 Twin Volume Examines Impact of COVID 76 Monumental Tribute 77 Unlocking Economic Insights PARTNERSHIP 78 Japanese Book Drive 80 Retiree Delighted to Make Historic Donation 82 Sport Nutrition Among Specialised Courses from UWI, Rajasthan Royals Pact 84 Sport Facilities Get Major Upgrade ANALYSIS 85 Criminal Justice System Perpetuates Crime ACTIVISM 86 CERMES Scientist Joins International Advocacy Initiative 87 Lindxee Collins Cops Inaugural Art Prize TECHNOLOGY, TEACHING AND LEARNING 88 AI Not the Enemy 90 Nurturing Young Scientific Minds 92 Magical Way to Solve Long-standing Math Performance Problem 94 Transforming Education to Entrepreneurial Vision 96 AI Can Make Regional Sport More Competitive AWARDS 98 Professor Barriteau Honoured by Gender Unit 100 Patrick Foster Recognised for Outstanding Achievement 102 Jones Awarded for Exemplary Tourism Service 104 Five More Earn Professorial Status 106 Science Honour Roll GOVERNANCE 107 Scathing Assessment of Constitutional Reform Within Region 110 Distinction Between Prime Ministerial Power and Authority
A PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, CAVE HILL CAMPUS, BARBADOS. We welcome your comments and feedback that can be directed to chillmagazine@cavehill.uwi.edu or CHILL c/o The Office of Marketing and Communications, The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown BB11000, Barbados. Tel (246) 417-7529
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An Entrepreneurial Revolution NEWS
2 Licence to Flourish 4 New Economic Model 6 Chemistry BOND 8 VC Forum Discusses Bridgetown Initiative 11 Tech Exec Praises UWI Grads for His Company’s Success 12 Governments Warned Against Inaction on Marine Resources 14 New Aviation Programme Soars to Success 16 CERMES Leading the Charge Against Invasive Species 18 Transatlantic Medical Programme Launched in Spectacular Fashion 20 Symposium Examines Critical Canada- Caribbean Issues 22 UWI - a Unifying Force 24 Exploring Strategies for Enhancing International Trade 26 Public Health Joins the Fight Against Crime 28 Novel Health Proposal to Tackle Climate Change OUTREACH 30 Environmental Commitment IN FOCUS 32 Centre on Alert for Avian Influenza 34 Beckles Goes to Bat for Beyond a Boundary 36 Region Achieves Cricket Success When We Come Together as a People 39 University Enriches Society 40 The Caribbean and China: A Win-Win Partnership 42 AI: Opportunities and Threats 44 The Sprit of Cave Hill @ 60 46 A History to Be Proud of RESEARCH & INNOVATION 48 Block Solution 50 Revenue-Generating Centre Open for Business 52 Sargassum Conundrum 56 Nursing Stigma, Diabetes & Hypertension Feature in Student Research 58 Research on Voice Commands in the Banking Sector
EDITOR: Chelston Lovell
CONSULTANT EDITOR: Ann St. Hill
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Rasheeta Dorant
PHOTO EDITORS: Rasheeta Dorant Salim Hussain Marie-Claire Williams ............................................................................ CONTRIBUTORS: Professor R. Clive Landis, PhD Yanique Hume, PhD
Camille Russell Carol Williams Marie-Claire Williams Leigh-Ann Worrell Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) University of Ghana
University Marketing and Communications Office ............................................................................. PHOTOGRAPHY: Stacy Blackman, PhD
David Garner Salim Hussain Carol Williams
Marie-Claire Williams University of Ghana University Marketing and Communications Office World Food Programme Caribbean Internet Images ........................................................................... VIDEO GRAPHICS: Joel Gaskin Marlon Woodroffe ........................................................................... PAGE LAYOUT: Paul Gibbs Salim Hussain COVER DESIGN: Paul Gibbs AI Assisted ...........................................................................
Printed in Barbados. © 2024
AROUND CAMPUS 112 An Unveiling of the Artist Within 114 Another Milestone for Confucius Institute 116 Law Faculty Launches Third Unit 118 Charting a New Legal Future PEOPLE 120 Alum Trades Baking for Academia and Makes Giving Back a Key Ingredient 122 Charles Miller: Artist and Athlete Beyond the Uniform 124 Joyous Homecoming for Pioneering Student 126 Raashid Ifill’s Storyboard 128 Lewis Legacy: A Family’s Academic Odyssey STUDENT-CENTRED 130 High Achievers Saluted for their Endurance and Resilience 132 Calls for Repeat of Cultural Showcase
135 Melony Shoye Awarded 2023 BARP Trust Scholarship 136 Scottish Sojourn Hits a Right Note 138 Cultural Researcher Wins Thesis Competition TRIBUTES 140 Passing of Foundation Student Who Built Out His University 141 Fond Remembrance of Justice Jefferson “Jeff” Cumberbatch 142 When A Mighty Tree Falls: Remembering Sonia Suzette
Williams SPORT
144 Akeem Rudder Championing Inclusion Through Sport 146 Volleyballers Rebound to Capture Double Crowns
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The UWI, Cave Hill Campus comprises a community of students, scholars, support staff, alumni, and retirees who, with the consent and support of the Government and people of Barbados, have created a public university that is faithful to the development vision set out by the founders of the institution in 1963. The same settlement and unity of purpose will drive the university safely into the future. The campus thanks all who have journeyed with us over the past 60 years to help create this beloved institution dedicated to the educational and development needs of Barbados and the Caribbean.
”
Professor R. Clive Landis Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
DISCOURSE
send them to their eternal REST! The prototype development was made possible through partnership with both government and the private sector. Examples of how to export knowledge products are also featured herein by two teaching programmes specifically tailored to the international student market: the English for Aviation programme developed by the Centre for English Language Learning ; and the unique joint medical degree programme offered by the Faculty of Medical Sciences with the University of Ghana . The entrepreneurial transition of the campus is encapsulated under the medium-term vision “ Creating Value From Our Ideas ”, as we seek to translate the campus’s considerable strengths in research into creating value for society and value for The UWI itself through entrepreneurship. Examples of the creative thinking and novel approaches needed to drive innovation and entrepreneurship are contained throughout this issue. Further partnerships will be needed both with government and the private sector to build the robust innovation systems required to take ideas from creative spark to commercially viable product. This is an exciting time in the evolution of the Cave Hill campus, and I invite all members of the community to contribute their creativity and energy to implement the medium-term vision “Creating Value From Our Ideas”. u
Professor Clive Landis Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
An Entrepreneurial REVOLUTION
I invite readers of institution. This issue of CHILL showcases an academy brimming with ideas and entrepreneurial genius among staff and students, which will ultimately translate into value for society and value for the university itself. The transition towards an entrepreneurial university sits within the overall framework of The UWI’s five-year Strategy 2022-2027, “The Revenue Revolution”. CHILL to witness the newest phase in the evolution of the Cave Hill campus as we transition to become a more entrepreneurial
The Cave Hill campus has a rich history of excellence in research and teaching quality. In this new phase of the campus’s development, we are seeking to leverage our strengths to translate research excellence into innovation products and teaching excellence into knowledge products capable of being exported. An example of an innovation product reported in this Issue of CHILL, which is under development at the Centre for Biosecurity Studies, is the Renewable Energy Silent Terminator (REST) prototype, a novel device designed to attract and kill mosquitoes and other biting insects; in other words,
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LICENCE TO FLOURISH
by Carol Williams
T he University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus has become the first institution in Barbados to receive a licence for research and development (R&D) into medicinal marijuana. The licence, granted by the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA) on 19 January, also allows the campus to import and export cannabis products for research purposes. The licence is the result of a long- term collaboration between the campus and the BMCLA that began in 2019 after the Government of Barbados passed the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill . The campus and the BMCLA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 with the aim of advancing cannabis
research, education, and innovation. The R&D licence enables the campus to conduct experiments and testing on various forms and derivatives of cannabis, including live plants, fresh and dried plant material, seeds, oil, and wax. The campus will also be able to pursue drug discovery and pharmacological research on cannabinoid compounds, such as phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and other related phytochemicals from the cannabis plant.
BMCLA CEO (Ag) Shanika Roberts-Odle presents Principal of The UWI, Cave Hill Campus Professor Clive Landis with the research and development licence for medical cannabis.
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D ean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Dr. Damian Cohall said that the campus will take an inclusive and socially accountable approach to its research, in recognition of the social inequities surrounding the use of cannabis. He also expressed confidence that the licence will lead to increased grants and commercially viable projects for the campus. “A significant portion of this revenue will be derived from research and development activities from the cannabis value chain, that is [from] seed to sale,” Dr. Cohall said. “It is anticipated that our research in the Faculty of Medical Sciences on cardiometabolic syndrome, diseases affecting the central nervous system [like] epilepsy, and the use of cannabinoid products to manage patients with related qualifying diseases will lead to transformative medicinal interventions against CNCDs [chronic non-communicable diseases] and neurodegenerative conditions. “The benefits are endless as these medicinal interventions can create wealth and health opportunities impacting the quality of life of Barbadians who can benefit directly and indirectly via an upward trend in the country’s gross domestic product." Dr. Cohall, an ethnopharmacologist, has developed a Massive Open Online Course on medicinal cannabis . He is among a select number of academics at Cave Hill who have conducted extensive research and published papers on cannabis.
Pro Vice-Chancelor and Principal of the campus Professor Clive Landis said that the campus has all the elements required to create value from ideas by translating its research excellence into tangible value for society and the university itself through entrepreneurial activity. He noted that the campus may apply for additional licences to regulate the production and certification of cannabis products in the future. “… we have a flourishing pharmacology programme with an in-house animal facility; we have a commercial analytical laboratory equipped with cutting-edge technology, and we have agri-industry facilities nearing completion at Dukes in St. Thomas. Most importantly, the university is operating in a conducive environment in Barbados which will support cannabis research and extension work in collaboration with the relevant government ministries and regulatory bodies,” Landis said. The BMCLA, which is responsible for the development and regulation of the industry, has 11 licencees with a combined 30 licences, including the campus. Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BMCLA Shanika Roberts- Odle congratulated the campus on its achievement and encouraged all Barbadians to interact with The UWI on this front. She said that the BMCLA understands and respects the long history and expertise which a certain segment of the population has with the plant and that it is doing a balancing act to ensure the industry is safe and sustainable. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security , Terry Bascombe commended Cave Hill for its achievement and noted that the global medicinal cannabis industry is projected to reach US$65.8 billion by 2025. According to Bascombe, any institution that advances the collective understanding of the therapeutic uses for the plant and that designs and produces innovative
Dr. Damian Cohall Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
Terry Bascombe Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security, Barbados
cannabis products will set itself apart from the competition. Cave Hill had joined its sister campus in Mona, Jamaica in being able to conduct such research, after legislative changes were made by the Government of Jamaica in 2015. u
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New Economic Model by Carol Williams
Persistent fiscal constraints of Caribbean economies due to climate change vulnerabilities, inadequate access to resources, heavy dependence on tourism and foreign direct investments, among other issues, have led the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr. Kevin Greenidge, to propose a new economic model. W hile not all elements of the five-pillar plan are novel, the Governor said it was tailor-made to fit the unique characteristics and challenges of the region. The key areas of the recommended model are the blue economy, digitisation, green energy transition, agrirevolution and intensified regional integration. Dr. Greenidge said its implementation will require diversified and innovative sources of financing. His recommendation was made while presenting the third Distinguished Owen S. Arthur Memorial Lecture hosted by the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade, Law, Policy and Services (SRC) last September. His presentation was titled “A New Dawn – Charting the Course for Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth in the Caribbean” . Throughout his presentation, the Governor invoked the words of the late Athur, a regionalist and respected economist who was Barbados’s longest- serving prime minister and who is commemorated by the annual event. Dr. Greenidge has worked as Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund , Senior Economic Advisor to the Government of Barbados and has published extensively on financial liberalisation and the challenges of policymakers in small developing countries, exchange rate misalignment in the Caribbean, cross-country monetary effects, and growth and convergence in the Caribbean.
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D uring the lecture, the bank Governor touted the transformative effects of economic growth and its ability to put states on a path of sustainable growth. He defined sustainable, inclusive economic growth as “an economic system that thrives without depleting the natural resources it depends on, while also ensuring social equity and meeting the needs of future generations”. He further identified eight determinants – l environmental sustainability, l robust institutions, l development of human capital, productivity, l technological innovation, inclusive growth, l a stable and vibrant financial system, l and deepened regional integration. Therefore, he said, implementation of the model will require nuanced approaches given the complexities of the different countries.
As for the possible sources of financing his economic model, he said this can be facilitated through public- private partnerships (PPPs) that were essential for launching projects that are both economically viable and beneficial to society at large, as they “provide a practical avenue for blending the agility of the private sector with the scale and reach of the public domain”. Dr. Greenidge said financial markets were another source of financing: “The significant liquidity surplus in the Caribbean’s financial markets presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Central banks have a pivotal role in devising and executing strategies to channel this abundant liquidity into investments that promote sustainable growth. Their focus needs to be on directing funds towards green initiatives, technological advancements, and infrastructure projects that resonate with the region’s sustainable objectives.” Green bonds and climate finance, coupled with foreign direct investments, were identified as avenues through which dedicated capital for environmentally and socially responsible projects can be accessed.
The Governor said the entry of export- import banks like the African Export- Import Bank (Afreximbank) , which has established an office in Barbados and is making US$1.5 billion available to support sustainable development in some states, as well as the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) , which supports infrastructure and development projects, have enriched the regional landscape. “These institutions amplify the Caribbean’s access to a diverse array of financial instruments, trade opportunities, and international markets. The synergy between these banks and the Caribbean nations promises to weave a narrative of enhanced economic resilience, diversified trade portfolios and collaborative innovation, positioning the Caribbean at the forefront of sustainable, global economic integration.” During his interaction with the audience, he was engaged on issues like the role of export-import banks, a global carbon tax to help deal with carbon emissions, the development of human capital and related literacy, and the re-establishment of a national bank of Barbados. u
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by Camille Russell Chemistry BOND
Chemistry teachers have established an inaugural grouping for membership support to enhance their
Dr. Leah Garner-O’Neal Director, Barbados Network of Chemistry Teachers and Lecturer in Chemistry, The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
F ounder and Director of the network Dr. Leah Garner- O’Neal , a Cave Hill-based UWI lecturer, said the idea was conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown when teachers pivoted from in-person classes to online instruction. “[During] COVID … I saw that some of the chemistry teachers were struggling. As I spoke to them and heard that they were struggling with teaching students online, I began to reach out to them, and this was
effectiveness in the classroom. The Barbados Network of Chemistry Teachers was launched last October during a brief ceremony at Cave Hill Campus aimed at empowering chemistry educators through collaboration and continuous professional development.
the genesis of the support group. We met online, and we shared our experiences in the online space. Soon, what started as a group of four persons, kept increasing as word spread about the network, and soon we decided we have to make this network official,” Garner-O’Neal told the launch ceremony. The initiative was lauded by Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Dr. Jeanese Badenock who expressed her support: “ Education is evolving rapidly,
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the lives of chemistry teachers and students in Barbados and will help to ensure that students have access to the high-quality chemistry education they need to succeed in school and to pursue their careers.” She added that she looked forward to the expansion of the network to the benefit of both teachers and students of chemistry: “I would love to see the network thrive and grow to the extent that it is efficient and relentless in its promotion of chemistry education through advocacy for increased funding, teacher development and the creation of a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.” u
Professor Avril Williams Head, Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
Dr. Jeanese Badenock Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
and to keep up with the latest pedagogical advances, we must collaborate and share best practices with our peers. This network will create a platform for educators to connect, exchange ideas, and access valuable resources,” Dr. Badenock said. She also reaffirmed The UWI’s role in training high school teachers to be effective in the classroom: “ This university stands committed to assisting and training teachers, as they are the bridge between secondary
and higher education. By sharing our resources, expertise, and collaborating with secondary and other tertiary-level institutions, I truly believe we can raise the quality of chemistry education across the board.” Head of Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences Professor Avril Williams also underscored the need for the network: “I am confident that this network will make a real difference in
Staff of the Faculty of Science and Technology and members of the Barbados Network of Chemistry Teachers attended the launch.
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VC Forum Discusses Bridgetown Initiative
Barbados is a small country with big ideas, and it continues to show that size does not matter as it champions an ambitious plan to reform how climate adaptation and resilience are financed for developing countries. I ts latest efforts are bearing fruit in intangible ways. The Bridgetown Initiative , which seeks to give greater protection to climate- vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean and elsewhere, has become a talking point in regional and international public spaces since its introduction in 2022. It has garnered the attention of the United Nations , the World Economic Forum , and other global organisations and was discussed at a meeting in March 2023 between its chief spokesperson Barbados’s Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and President of France Emmanuel Macron . Prime Minister Mottley received the 2021
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley (left) and President of France Emmanuel Macron
Champion of the Earth Award , which is the United Nation's highest environmental award; and at the recent Minuch Security Conference, the 2024 Ewald von Kleist Award for her efforts to advance climate action, justice and security. In the Caribbean, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) sought to raise awareness about the measure and its implications during a Vice-Chancellor’s Forum held on 30 March 2023. The discussion involved Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds ; UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles ; Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados for Investment and Financial Service, Professor Avinash Persaud ; Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska ; and Director of Greening Sovereign Debt, The Nature Conservancy, Kevin Bender .
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I n 2022, major Western oil On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said developed countries have yet to contribute the US$100 billion a year that was promised at the Conference of the Parties 2022 (COP15) to finance climate action and that should have taken effect in 2020. He said developing countries face companies made a record $219 billion in profit while a Saudi Arabian oil giant reported US$161.1 billion in net profit for the same year. countless challenges in their push to adopt climate-friendly measures. For Barbados, accessing the required technology was problematic and the cost to fully transition to being fossil fuel-free and renewable energy- driven was immense. “There is no priority given to small states and that puts us in a significant degree of risk of double jeopardy. We are the ones on whose blood, sweat and tears the industrial revolution was created. We cannot now be asked to carry the cost of the correction of the greenhouse gas emissions created as a result of that industrial revolution.” Professor Persaud said with climate conditions worsening, the people of this and other regions cannot afford to wait for the debate on climate change to peter out. “We have focused on the things that can be done today that will impact the climate, that are ambitious and achievable, that would change global finance, that would
Host and Professor of Finance at The UWI, Cave Hill Justin Robinson said the Bridgetown Initiative was possibly “one of the most significant policy initiatives coming out of the Caribbean with impact on the global stage” . The proposal was also lauded by Sir Hilary as being consistent with the economic thinking that has emerged in the region and one which was enrooted in the economics of the university. The initiative proposes a three-pronged approach to financing climate change adaptation and resilience: adjusting the terms of loans and how they are repaid; expansion of multilateral lending to governments by US$1 trillion; and implementing a mechanism for the private sector to help fund climate mitigation and reconstruction. “ It is only fair that if we’re trying to talk about adaptation and climate resilience that we also have the private sector and private enterprise [involved], in circumstances where companies are making unprecedented and what could really be called egregious profits. [They should] leave some of the profits on the table to assist the planet in making the adjustment. The simple moral message is ‘If there is no planet, there can be no profits’,” Symmonds said.
Professor Justin Robinson Professor of Corporate Finance & Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic - Industry Partnerships and Planning
The Honourable Kerrie Symmonds Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados
Professor Avinash Persaud Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados for Investment and Financial Services
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“We welcome the objectives of this initiative and recognise its potential to mobilise more and different forms of finance globally for countries to address climate challenges more comprehensively … The proposals under the Bridgetown Initiative are particularly relevant for multilateral development banks and the reform process they recently launched. We, as the European Union , will continue to work with the IMF [International Monetary Fund] , multilateral development banks and their stakeholders to identify practical ways forward.” Bender , a former World Bank employee, said the Bridgetown Initiative provides real opportunities to make much money available to deal with climate change. u
Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska Head, European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM
for others. The Bridgetown Initiative recognises that that is not going to happen in the short term … We’re saying even that cheque wouldn’t come from the Government; it’d be coming from the windfall of three major sectors – fossil fuel industry, shipping industry and sustainable agriculture, and that is a very different equation than we’ve ever put forward before.” H ead of the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM accepted the argument for more accessible financing to address global challenges, such as climate change, to better support the most vulnerable. Ambassador Wasilewska said the multiple long- and short-term crises faced over the past years have proven that the global financial system should be adjusted, but at the same time, public finance was not enough to respond to the climate crisis.
Kevin Bender Director of Greening Sovereign Debt, The Nature Conservancy
change the course of climate change, and change the course of development.” The envoy believes the Bridgetown Initiative has a strong chance of success even though other proposals of a similar nature have not succeeded. “Other efforts have been unsuccessful because they’ve relied heavily on one set of countries writing a very large cheque
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Tech Exec Praises UWI Grads for His Company’s Success by Marie-Claire Williams
A leading export manufacturer has put forward a strong case for companies to invest in The University of the West Indies, saying graduates of the Cave Hill campus have been crucial to the growth of his company since it began operations nearly three decades ago.
P resident of Lenstec (Barbados) Inc. , Ian last October’s graduation ceremony, made the call while speaking at a fundraising dinner held in his honour and that of fellow honorees, entertainer Alison Hinds-Walcott (DLitt) and business executive Trisha Tannis (LLD). The businessman and biochemist attributed much of his company’s success in Barbados to its association with Cave Hill. “I just want to go on record as saying that none of this would have happened if we didn’t engage with UWI on day one. And for 27 years, we have been working with UWI in all sorts of different ways. The Hickling , who received an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) degree at first thing that happened was when we came here, we found out that there were lots of tests required that couldn’t be done here; so, we went to the Faculty of Science and arranged for some honour students to come in and set up a microbiology lab. We have continued that relationship ever since,
Principal of Cave Hill Campus Professor Clive Landis told attendees that The UWI remains committed to contributing to the overall development of the Caribbean. “As an academy, we are resolved; we are coalesced around a strategy which is to take our research and to apply it at all levels of society; to enmesh ourselves in society with the ministries, with the private sector, with industries, to help drive innovation [and] entrepreneurship and to help drive the development of Barbados and the Caribbean,” Landis said. u
and we get the best microbiologists, who graduate from here, that come through our lab and work with us,” he said. Lenstec (Barbados) Inc. is a subsidiary of Lenstec Corporation , a commercial medical device company based in Florida. The company opened its global manufacturing facility in Barbados in 1995. It manufactures intraocular lenses, which are artificial replacements for the natural ones removed during cataract surgery. Hickling added that ten per cent of the staff at Lenstec are graduates of The UWI, including ten research and development scientists.
“Probably the most visual thing is that all of our production databases … and remember we make three quarters of a million lenses a year … control every single one of those [lenses]. So, every lens we’ve ever made, which is more than seven million, has a record and a database which was written by a UWI graduate,” he added.
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Governments Warned Against Inaction on Marine Resources
Professor David Berry Professor of International Law and Regional Integration Law Faculty of Law, The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) was adopted at the UN in June 2023. Less than six months later, it was the subject of Professor Berry’s Professorial Lecture titled “Blue Economies and the 2023 BBNJ Agreement – another treaty commitment without tangible benefits for Caribbean States?” which he delivered 9 November 2023 . He recognised that each country has a 200 nautical mile jurisdiction beyond their territorial sea known as the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). However, beyond national EEZs are vast areas of ocean, the high seas. These international areas, labelled Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction , fall within the scope of the agreement and represent almost two- thirds of the global oceans. Professor Berry said the BBNJ Agreement seeks to establish a regime for the use and conservation of marine biological diversity in those underregulated
areas of the high seas and on the deep seabed. More specifically, marine biological diversity will be protected from existing and future activities that threaten the marine ecosystem, and there will be strict regulation of marine genetic resources as well as their related digital sequencing information. Noting the tremendous scientific and economic potential for marine genetic resources, he said this must be fairly and equitably shared and provisions have been made to facilitate this. Systems will, therefore, facilitate capacity-building, marine technology transfer, marine genetic resource access, and financing. Although the Caribbean Sea covers less than one per cent of the world’s ocean, Professor Berry said all countries in this region will be affected because the agreement does not give benefits based on proximity or adjacency.
Having served as one of the lead CARICOM negotiators on an international treaty that has significant implications for the entire region, Professor David Berry of the Faculty of Law is now cautioning the governments against inertia regarding that treaty. T he legal scholar is so passionate about the issue that he used his professorial lecture, an event held by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) to celebrate the elevation of an academic to the university’s highest academic rank, to analyse the agreement. The Cave Hill academic was officially recognised as a Professor of International Law and Regional Integration Law by The UWI in May 2022. The international legally binding instrument under the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea on
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“So, Jamaica has just as much right to the marine genetic resources outside Barbados’s 200 nautical mile EEZ in the Atlantic as Barbados does.” I n his examination of the benefits, he said provision has been made for the identification and classification of species that are found and to map the ecosystems in which marine species live, which would help with their conservation and sustainable use. Moreover, he said the agreement will help, through area-based management techniques, correct existing practices that threaten marine biodiversity, and prevent future harm through environmental impact assessments. “The BBNJ agreement can potentially provide strong benefits for Caribbean states. Indirect benefits [include] helping to preserve and maintain marine biological diversity which, in turn, will help our blue economies and help counteract global warming. Direct benefits [include] access to benefit-sharing provisions, capacity-building, transfer of marine technology, the financial mechanism, and monetary benefits. It must be recalled that simply having access to information and data on marine genetic resources, including digital sequencing
Professor David Berry (left) and Dr. Leo Brewster , Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Barbados
He said while states should conduct a cost-benefit analysis before joining any new treaty framework, time was of the essence given that the BBNJ agreement was opened for signature last September and discussions were actively underway on its provisional application. “It would not be beneficial to Caribbean states if we played no role in the formal development of the BBNJ agreement’s rules and processes. Many important decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) have to be made at its first meeting … and only states that are party to the agreement in attendance at the COP will be able to participate in those first decisions. “If CARICOM member states act with the same urgency, same high levels of coordination and activism as they did when negotiating the agreement, then we may help shape the institutions and processes favourably to Caribbean interests.” In so doing, Professor Berry said Caribbean countries will not only demonstrate continued leadership in protecting marine biodiversity in BBNJ, but they will be able to help shape the BBNJ’s rules and processes and ensure that the agreement benefits the region and its people. The BBNJ was the product of nearly two decades of negotiations, including by CARICOM members. u
information, will enable Caribbean scientists to do research and Caribbean industries to potentially develop new commercial products.” He said these benefits can have spillover effects in other areas of the economy. On the other hand, the legal expert said that although it was unlikely that marine genetic resources and digital sequencing information would produce immediate financial benefits for the Caribbean, our region needs to position itself to receive them, if such resources are commercialised.
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New Aviation Programme SOARS TO SUCCESS P rogramme Coordinator, Dr. Stacy Denny , said the programme has evolved and adapted its approach based on feedback from the initial cohorts: “We have refined our teaching methodologies, resources,
by by Camille Russell
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus has launched a groundbreaking programme to teach English for aviation professionals, the first of its kind in the region. This programme, which started on 3 April 2023, has already graduated two cohorts of pilots and aviation mechanics who have improved their aviation English proficiency, even meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
and assessments to align with the latest developments in aviation language and to enhance real-world communication skills.” The third cohort will consist only of flight attendants, for whom a new curriculum has been designed and tailored to address their specific language needs. The focus will be on language skills related to in-flight communication, passenger interaction, emergency procedures, and general hospitality. Dr. Denny stated the programme faces both challenges and opportunities
Programme Coordinator, Dr. Stacy Denny , congratulates students of Cohort 2 on completion of the programme.
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Dr. Stacy Denny presents student Brice Leopoldie with the special prize for Best Student Engagement.
Piétrick Voyer , Director of Operations, Grantley Adams International Airport presents student Chloën Louis-Sidney with her Certificate of Completion.
for worldclass language training in the aviation industry: “ The English for Aviation programme at The UWI, Cave Hill Campus is a historic and innovative initiative that will enhance communication and safety within the aviation sector.” u
in catering to a diverse group of aviation professionals and noted its aim to customise content for each group’s needs while ensuring a cohesive learning experience. She pointed out that this programme offers opportunities for cross- functional collaboration and a better understanding of the varied language requirements across different roles within the aviation industry. Dr. Denny outlined ambitious plans
for the programme’s future: “We plan to continue expanding and refining the programme. Future initiatives include expanding partnerships with aviation training centres, both regionally and internationally; integrating advanced language technologies and simulation tools, and collaborating with industry experts and professionals.” Also, she expressed her commitment to making this programme a benchmark
Cohort 2 of the English for Aviation programme with instructors (from left) Shernell Joe and Michelle Reece- Herbert , and (from right) Dawn Farrell- Boyce and Shana Jones
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CERMES Leading the Charge Against Invasive Species
Professor Julia Horrocks The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
In a compelling showcase of environmental stewardship, scientists at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus are taking centre stage in the battle against invasive species in Barbados. On the occasion of World Environment Day, 5 June 2023, the Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences , within the Faculty of Science and Technology, hosted a public lecture at the Barbados Fisheries Division . The lecture highlighted the pioneering efforts of UWI scientists to manage invasions by flatworms, lionfish, and sun corals, thereby contributing to the island’s ecological well-being.
Professor of Conservation Ecology Dr. Julia Horrocks initiated the discourse by delving into the realm of invasive alien species and their detrimental effects on native biodiversity, economies, and public health. She underscored the pivotal role UWI Ecology lecturers play in supporting the Barbados Government’s initiatives to prevent the arrival of new invasive species and manage existing ones. Professor Horrocks shed light on the Cabinet- appointed Working Group on Biodiversity (WGB) , a collaborative effort involving UWI
staff, aimed at providing crucial advice on invasive species management. A notable highlight of the lecture was the success story of Shanna Challenger , an Ecology major (2016) at Cave Hill, whose work led to the restoration of Redonda, a small Caribbean island. The removal of invasive species allowed native fauna to thrive, showcasing the potential impact of strategic conservation efforts.
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T he focus then shifted to the creation of a biosecure area for the leaf-toed gecko, a species unique to Barbados. Connor Blades (UWI MPhil 2020) presented insights into the gecko’s limited distribution and the fencing measures implemented to protect it from invasive threats. Biologist Dr. Darren Browne took the audience on a journey into the world of flatworms, emphasising the ongoing citizen science project’s collaboration with governmental bodies. His research highlighted the dangers posed by these worms to earthworms, essential for maintaining healthy soil structure and supporting food production. Dr. Browne cautioned against the potential spread of flatworms through the movement of topsoil. Ecologist Dr. Henri Vallès navigated the waters to discuss the GEF (Global Environment Facility)-funded pilot projects on marine invasives, focusing on the much- feared lionfish. Contrary to expectations, research indicated no negative impact on native fishing communities or fish catches in Barbados. Dr. Vallès recommended continued targeting of lionfish by commercial and recreational spear-fishers to maintain ecological balance. The discussion concluded with insights into sun corals, introduced to the Caribbean in the 1950s. Dr. Vallès and his graduate student Robert Bourne , conducted a coast-wide survey, revealing the presence of sun corals on artificial structures. A sun coral removal experiment suggested that manual removal could be a cost-effective measure to control sun coral abundance on these structures. The UWI. Cave Hill scientists’ dedication to combating invasive species reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and underscores the university’s role as a key player in Barbados’s conservation efforts.
Redonda Island
Connor Blades UWI MPhil Student (2020)
Dr. Darren Browne Lecturer in Biology The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
Leaf-toed gecko
Flatworm
Dr. Henri Vallès Senior Lecturer in Ecology The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
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Transatlantic Medical Programme Launched in Spectacular Fashion
This visionary initiative offers a unique opportunity for students from both institutions to pursue a world-class medical degree that transcends national boundaries. Cave Hill students will spend the first three years of their studies at Cave Hill, earning a BSc. Preclinical Science degree, before joining the fourth year of the MB ChB programme at the UGMS. Similarly, Ghanaian students will complete a tailor-made BSc in Preclinical Sciences degree at Cave Hill before returning to Ghana to finish the clinical phase of their MB ChB degree. Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Professor Clive Landis expressed his delight at the successful launch of the programme that
he described as a “ true collaboration of equals”. He emphasised the programme’s authenticity, highlighting its accreditation by the professional medical bodies of both Ghana and Barbados.
A historic day of joy and jubilation marked the official inauguration of the UWI-UG joint Transatlantic Medical Programme, last November. The Great Hall of University of Ghana (UG) , Accra was filled with excitement and anticipation as officials from The UWI, Cave Hill Campus and the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) celebrated their groundbreaking partnership in medical education.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo ,
Vice-Chancellor of UG, echoed his sentiments, saying that the launch was a “major milestone” in the academic journey of both universities. She said, “It is my belief that this launch will serve as a major springboard to the realisation of the vision of promoting international visibility for our universities and a new chapter in the academic journey for both universities.”
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T he launch was followed by an insightful public lecture by Dr. Kenneth Connell , Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The UWI, Cave Hill. His lecture, titled “From Bridgetown to Accra – Hypertension as a Threat to the Diaspora: Lessons from COVID-19” , urged for a holistic approach to the universal health system, stressing the need to address hypertension, a global concern. Dr. Connell shared data from the recent World Health Organization Global Report on Hypertension that showed the alarming prevalence of hypertension and the importance of mass testing to detect undiagnosed cases. He advised households in Ghana to acquire blood pressure monitors as essential tools for identifying hypertension. The UG Vice-Chancellor concluded the session by highlighting the significance of lifestyle changes, including incorporating physical exercises like walking and cycling into daily routines. She advised, “We cannot say hypertension is a disease for the elderly. It
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Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo ,Vice-Chancellor of UG; and Professor Clive Landis , Principal of The UWI, Cave Hill Campus sign the Student Exchange Agreement.
Officials from the High Commission of Barbados in Accra, members from the College of Health Sciences of UG, members from UGMS, students, and the broader university community were in attendance, making the launch a truly collaborative and memorable occasion. u
is catching up with everyone of us, so we need to take these precautions. It is easier to form certain healthy habits while you are still young than much later in your years.” The event ended with a warm exchange of gifts between Professor Landis and Professor Amfo, accompanied by captivating Ghanaian cultural performances by the Ghana Dance Ensemble from the Institute of African Studies , University of Ghana .
Students and faculty of the University of Ghana in attendance at the launch.
Dr. Kenneth Connell Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
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Symposium Examines Critical Canada-Caribbean Affairs
A range of issues were put under the spotlight during last year’s third Canada-Caribbean Institute Symposium hosted at the Cave Hill campus of The University of the West Indies.
T he two-day event, held 23-24 February at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management, brought over 55 scholars and researchers from the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States for discussions on “Decoloniality: Past, Present and Future Directions”. The conversation centred on ten broad themes that included Alternative Livelihoods and Economies ; Decoloniality and Indigeneity Across Contexts ; Decolonializing Educational Practice ; Decolonializing Regional Politics ; and Making Decolonization Visible on the Ground: Towards a Memorial Relief Sculpture for the “Negro Burial Ground” in Niagara-on-the-Lake .
between the North American country and the Caribbean. UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles noted that although Canada did not colonise externally, domestically it conquered indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans. He pointed to the groundbreaking nature of the discussions that he said were both relevant and timely, as they took place a week after talks between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and CARICOM Heads of Government during their conference in The Bahamas. President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University , Dr. David Farrar , said he was born at a time of racial segregation in Southern Ontario, Canada and agreed that many issues needed to be
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles Vice-Chancellor The University of the West Indies
In the prelude to the discussion, several speakers noted historic race relations within Canada, the treatment of its indigenous peoples, and the complex relationship
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