news from the university of the west indies, mona …mounted courses in haitian creole designed to...

HANDOVER OF REGUPOL TRACK VC NAMED UNICA PRESIDENT TRIBUTES TO REX NETTLEFORD

NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, MONA CAMPUS JULY, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

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Message from Principal

UWI News5 VC Named UNICA President 6 Five to Receive the Prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s

Award For Excellence, 20108 Honorary Degrees

MONA NEWS9 Research Day Awardees12 Homecoming Celebrations13 Celebrating Rex Nettleford 22 Creating Maths Champions23 Earl Jarrett Receives Pelican Award25 New Professors: Minerva Thame; Edward Ghartey;

Claremont Kirton; Wayne McLaughlin

NEWS ROUND-UP29 Champion Teachers 30 MOU with Water Resources Authority 32 Physics Workshop at WJC

NEWS PICTORIAL33 International Reggae conference

Natural Products symposiumOpening of biodiversity labLondon Police Commissioner visits

FEATURES34 Medical Science – Autism36 Social Science – Saving Lives Through Enterprise

SPORTS:38 Mona Footballers Create History40 Football Scholarship Festival41 UWI Revolution Heads to Super League42 Handover of Regupol Track

Mona News is a publication of theMarketing & Communications Office,The University of the West Indies,Mona Campus

Please send comments and feedback to: The Editor,Marketing & Communications Office4 Gibraltar Road, Kingston 7, Jamaica, W.I.Tel: 876-977-5941; 876-935-8348Fax: 876-977-6699Email: [email protected]: www.mona.uwi.edu/proffice

EDITORCarroll Edwards

CONTRIBUTORSGwyneth DavidsonJune DegiaCarroll EdwardsSydonnie Pellington Maureen Samms – VaughanPatricia Valentine

DESIGN & LAYOUTGreat House OmniMedia Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHYBryan CummingsSteve McDonaldAston SpaldingLennox QualloInstitute of Caribbean StudiesMarketing & Communications Office

UWI'S MISSIONTHE ENDURING MISSION OF THEUNIVERSITy OF THE WEST INDIESIS TO PROPEL THE ECONOMIC,SOCIAL, POLITICAL ANDCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OFWEST INDIAN SOCIETy THROUGHTEACHING, RESEARCH,INNOVATION, ADVISORy ANDCOMMUNITy SERVICES, AND INTELLECTUAL LEADERSHIP.

No part of this publication may be reproduced

without the written permission of the publisher

or agent.

Cover photo: Inaugural run on the new Regupol track

at the UWI, Mona Bowl


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P r i n c i Pa l ’s M e s s ag eI N S I D E

The period just ended has beenparticularly challenging for the MonaCampus. In February of this year, the UWIcommunity was devastated by the passing ofCaribbean cultural icon Professor the Hon. RexNettleford. Professor Nettleford’s career as anacademic and administrator was spent entirely atMona. Indeed, he always said that what he achievedwas because of UWI, which facilitated him andallowed him to be who he was. UWI was his base, the place that centred him, and from which he drewhis strength. The Mona Campus is poorer for hispassing and will miss him in immeasurable ways. A section of this issue of the MONA News paystribute to the memory of this extraordinary man.

We pay tribute of another kind to members of ourcommunity who have been at the forefront of effortsto assist our neighbour, Haiti which suffered theeffects of a devastating earthquake in January. Monaprovided medical and financial assistance andmounted courses in Haitian creole designed tobridge the language barrier between disaster reliefexperts and the Haitian population. Come September,Mona will also welcome a group of Haitian studentswho will complete their undergraduate studies at thisCampus, as part of an initiative to rebuild the admin-istrative capacity of that country. I am confident thatstaff and students alike will assist them to make theinevitable adjustments to life in our community.

At another level, Mona will have to makeadjustments aimed at minimizing the impact of the recent cut indicated in the Budget Estimatessubmitted to Parliament by the Government ofJamaica. The initiatives include accelerating the paceof transformation into a more agile and self-reliantcampus, the introduction of new academic progra-mmes, an increased focus on long-term programmesthat would be attractive to international students,and a focus on units that are capable of generatingincome. Administrative reform is also high on theAgenda of the campus.

In anticipation of the budget cut, the Campus had already begun a programme to aggressivelytransform itself into an institution capable of greaterself sufficiency. This includes:

• A freeze on vacancies and a more cost-effective manner of handling replacement of staff on leave.

• Elimination of overtime

• Elimination of Sale of Leave

• Reduction in security and utility costs

• A review of the expenditure on overseas travel with a view to reducing this.

Mona will introduce two new academic programmesin Dentistry and Law at the start of the 2010-2011

A ROBUST

RESPONSE

TO CHALLENGES

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Vice Chancellor, Professor E. NigelHarris has been appointed as the new President of the Association of Universities and ResearchInstitutions of the Caribbean (UNICA). Theannouncement was made following UNICA’s annualgeneral meeting on March 16, 2010.

In a post-AGM media briefing at the Trinidad HiltonHotel, Professor Harris presented the UNICACommuniqué which outlined the Association’srecommitment to the development of the tertiaryeducation sector in Haiti through advocacy innational, regional and international fora for financialsupport for higher education; the development ofpractical interventions to assist affected Haitianstudents and faculty; support for capacity-buildinginterventions to facilitate sustainable development;and the provision of expertise and experience forreconstruction and development efforts based on theneeds articulated by the people of Haiti. The newUNICA president also stated that a task forceconsisting of representatives of members of UNICAwas established to identify, rationalize and prioritizeinterventions proposed by participants during theConference, and develop an action agenda forpresentation to national, regional and internationalorganizations.

According to Professor Harris, “There is legitimateconcern that the response to the reconstruction ofHaiti will be fragmented and not linked to the wishesof the Haitian people, themselves. In planning ourintervention, we therefore recognize that ourcontribution must be focused and guided by theHaitian community. We are concentrating on therebuilding of the tertiary education sector becausewe believe that Haiti’s recovery and repositioning willbe very dependent on the expansion of its humanknowledge resources and expertise. We have invitedour Haitian colleagues to participate in these twodays of meetings to share with us their criticalperspectives on the way forward.”

Also speaking at the briefing was Professor WilsonLaleau Vice Rector, Academic Affairs, Université d’Etatd’Haiti, who expressed sincere thanks to UNICA onbehalf of the people of Haiti, for its assistance andcommitment to rebuilding the nation. Otherspeakers at the media briefing included ProfessorNivia Fernandez Hernandez of the University of

Puerto Rico who represented outgoing UNICApresident Dr. Ramon de la Torre; and Dr. MatthewSmith of the Department of History and Archaeology,UWI Mona, who was appointed Head of the UNICA-Haiti Response taskforce.

The declaration on Haiti was the culmination of thetwo days of UNICA meetings, hosted by TheUniversity of the West Indies. The UNICA conference,“Partnering for Sustainability” was held on March 152010 at the UWI Institute of Critical Thinking, St.Augustine and focused specifically on mobilizingCaribbean Universities and Research Institutes topartner with Haiti in the rebuilding effort, with anemphasis on its tertiary sector. The conference andAGM were attended by representatives of UNICAmember institutions including The University ofPuerto Rico; The University of the West Indies;University of the Netherland Antilles; Anton De KomUniversity of Suriname; Universidad Latinomericana ydel Caribe; University of the Virgin Islands; Institutode Estudios Caribenos; In Dame, Université Craraibeand Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede SanAndrés. The Organization of American States and theCaribbean Agricultural Research DevelopmentInstitute were also represented.

Founded in 1967, The Association of Universitiesand Research Institutions of the Caribbean fosterscooperation among the higher education institutionsin the Caribbean region. UNICA is an independent,voluntary organization that facilitates academiccontacts and promotes collaborative projectsinvolving institutions and academicians from acrossthe entire region. UNICA supports the regionalizationof higher education in the Caribbean and each yearthe Association gathers the highest rank officials ofthe universities in the Caribbean region to participatein its Annual General Meeting.

academic year. These programmes are highly suppor-tive of national development, but there is also astrong unfilled demand for them. The programmeswill be offered in combination with a number ofexisting areas of academic focus to enhance therelevance of existing programme offerings.

The Campus has also been reviewing the managementof self-funded programmes in order to streamlinethese offerings and bring them into a more formalstructure. We will be looking more closely at anumber of units which have income-generatingcapabilities such as the Mona Institute of MedicalSciences (MIMS), Mona Geoinformatics Services(MGIS), Caribbean Institute of Genetics (CARIGEN), the Mona School of Business (MSB), the BusinessDevelopment Office (BDO) and the Mona Institute ofApplied Sciences. Other units such as the CaribbeanInstitute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC),Laboratories in the Faculties of Medical Sciences(such as Pathology, Microbiology and Haematology)and Pure and Applied Sciences, as well as theLanguage Unit in the Faculty of Humanities &Education, all have income earning potential thatneeds to be explored.

In this respect, the Campus will be moving to takeadvantage of the income generating potential andintellectual property right opportunities of pathbreaking projects developed by academic staff of theCampus such as the Global Positioning System (GPS)developed by Mona GeoInformatics, and the CardiacSimulator developed by academics in the Departmentsof Surgery and Computing. Such projects place Monain an excellent position to garner internationalresearch grants.

The Campus has embarked on a number of projectsintended to meet the demands of the expanding

student intake and to support income generatingactivities. Some, like the expansion of the UWI Schoolof Nursing and the establishment of the WesternJamaica Campus are already complete. Projectsunderway or yet to be started include:

• The Basic Medical Sciences Complex (which will enable the release of facilities currently used in the delivery of the MBBS programme)

• New student housing facilities to accommodate 800 undergraduate and 200 graduate students. These will be entirely self-financing

• A multi-purpose Sport facility capable of seating 6000 persons and which will be used for Convocation exercises as well as an Examination Centre. The Facility will also be used for the staging of major sporting and entertainment events on an income generating basis.

There is much more to be done but I am confidentthat we will overcome these challenges, as we haveso many others in the past, and that we will emergeeven stronger, and true to our mission of ‘InspiringExcellence and Producing Leaders for our country,the region and beyond.

Gordon Shirley, OJPrincipal

L-R: Professor E. Nigel Harris, UWI Vice Chancellor and newlyelected President of UNICA stands with Professor Nivia FernandezHernandez of the University of Puerto Rico and Professor WilsonLaleau Vice Rector, Academic Affairs, Université d’Etat d’Haiti


Vice Chancellor

Named UNICA President

Vice Chancellor

Named UNICA President

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Five members of the academic staff atthe Cave Hill, Mona and St. AugustineCampuses of The University of theWest Indies, namely, Professor John Agard, Dr.Kusha Haraksingh, Dr. Dave Chadee, ProfessorMaureen Samms-Vaughan and Professor Clive Landiswill receive the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Awardfor Excellence for the academic year 2009/2010 at aspecial ceremony to be held on October 21, 2010 atthe Cave Hill Campus. The Awards will be presentedby the Vice Chancellor.

The annual Vice‐Chancellor’s Award for Excellencewas initiated in 1993 by former Vice Chancellor, SirAlister McIntyre, to recognize high achievement byacademic as well as senior administrative staff. Asmany as five awards may be given in any one year in one or other of the following areas: teaching,administration and research accomplishments, serviceto the University community, contributions to publicservice and all-round excellence in a combination oftwo or more of the four core areas. Each award isvalued at US$5,000.

The recipient at the Mona Campus is ProfessorMaureen Samms-Vaughan, Professor of Child Health,Child Development and Behaviour, Department ofObstetrics, Gynaecology and Child Health, forContribution to Public Service.

At the St Augustine Campus, receipients areProfessor John Agard, Professor of Tropical IslandEcology and Head, Department of Life Sciences,Faculty of Science and Agriculture, for All-roundPerformance in the combined areas of ResearchAccomplishments and Contribution to Public Service,Dr. Kusha Haraksingh, Senior Lecturer, Department ofHistory, Faculty of Humanities and Education forContribution to Public Service, and Dr. DaveChadee, Senior Lecturer in Parasitology, Departmentof Life Sciences, for Research Accomplishments.

The other recipient from the Cave Hill Campus is

Professor Clive Landis, Professor in CardiovascularResearch, Chronic Disease Research Centre, forResearch Accomplishments.

Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan is considered anambassador for the University in the area of childdevelopment and is a significant contributor to publicservice. She was on secondment to the Governmentof Jamaica for two years as Executive Chairman ofthe National Early Childhood Commission, a positionshe served with distinction. She has published twobooks entitled The Jamaican Pre-School Child: theStatus of Early Childhood Development in Jamaicaand Cognition, Educational Attainment and Behaviourin a cohort of Jamaican Children at age 11-12 years.These books have become reference texts used aspolicy guides in the Ministries of Health and Educationin Jamaica. Professor Samms-Vaughan has authoredand published over 58 research papers and abstractsin peer-reviewed journals. Her research has attractedsignificant amounts of grant funding to the Universityof the West Indies. The quality of her research accom-plishments has been recognized internationally,demonstrated by her election as Editor or ConsultingEditor of scholarly journals such as InternationalJournal of Early years Education, Children’s IssuesCoalition Journal and Caribbean Journal ofPsychology.

Professor Samms-Vaughan’s contribution to non-governmental organizations has been diverse andextensive. She has been a consultant and an advisorto the Jamaica Attention Deficit Disorder Associationsince 1998 and has served as consultant advisor toUNICEF and PAHO. Despite her hectic schedule,Professor Samms-Vaughan finds time to serve hercommunity through her service on the Boards of VazPreparatory School, The Queen’s High School andFamily Life Ministries. For her exemplary publicservice Professor Samms-Vaughan was in 2007awarded the Jamaican National Honour, Commanderof the Order of Distinction for service in the field ofEarly Childhood Development and Child Health.

FIVE TO RECEIVE THE PRESTIGIOUSVICE-CHANCELLOR’’S AWARD FOR

EXCELLENCE, 2010

Professor John Agard has an outstanding publicationrecord. He has published over 8 book chapters and20 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Professor Agardis recognized by the United Nations as an expert onclimate change and Small Island Developing States;was a lead author of the Inter-Governmental Panel onClimate Change’s (IPCC) 4th assessment report –Chapter 16, Small Islands – and as such, shared inthe IPCC’s Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. ProfessorAgard has been very effective in generating researchfunds and is considered an excellent supervisor ofresearch graduate students. His contribution topublic service both locally and internationally hasbeen extensive. He has served on several boards,including the Environmental Management Authority(EMA) of which he was Chairman. He was instrumentalin getting several important pieces of legislation onenvironmental regulation approved in Trinidad &Tobago.

Dr. Kusha Haraksingh was appointed Commissionerand first Chairman of the CARICOM CompetitionCommission, an essential pillar of the Single Marketand Economy (CSME). His public service activitieswhich included providing pro-bono advice to theWest Indies Players Association, and representingthem in arbitration proceedings before the ChiefJustice of Barbados, have made a significant impacton the lives of many Caribbean citizens. Dr.Haraksingh sits on various University Committeessuch as the Augmented Pensions Committee, theStanding Committee on Ordinances and Regulations,and serves as Chair of the St Augustine ExaminationsCommittee and Chair of the University Archives andRecords Management Committee.

Dr. Dave Chadee is an accomplished researcher andhas an outstanding publication record in refereedjournals and chapters/books. He has published over

180 scientific papers, 10 book chapters and 1 book.In 2007 he was the lead-author of a paper publishedin the esteemed journal, ‘Science’ entitled, Genetics:a breakthrough for global public health. He ispresently on the Editorial Board of five internationalpeer-reviewed journals, Entomologia Experimentaliset Applicata, Annals of Medical Entomology, EuropeanJournal of General Medicine, Open Public HealthJournal and Journal of Parasitological Research.

Dr. Chadee’s work, which has gained internationalrecognition, has had an undeniable impact on regionaldevelopment. He was the recipient of two fellowshipawards, the Wellcome Trust Scholar (1985-1987) andthe Gorgas Memorial Institute Fellow (1998-1999).He was also conferred with an honorary Doctor ofScience degree in 1999 by the University of Dundeein recognition of his research. Dr. Chadee has beenvery effective in generating research funds and hasbeen considered an excellent supervisor of researchgraduate students.

Professor Clive Landis has an outstanding publicationrecord, having published 64 papers in peer-reviewedjournals. In the past five years, Professor Landis haspublished 25 papers, 20 as first author or seniorauthor and has gained national, regional andinternational recognition. He has, on severaloccasions been invited to present keynote lectures inthe US, UK and Australia as an internationallyacclaimed leader in the field of heart surgery,particularly as it relates to the dangerous systemicinflammatory response experienced by patientsundergoing this procedure. Professor Landis receivedthe Principal’s Award for Excellence, Cave HillCampus, for the academic year 2008/2009.

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OUTSTANDING RESEARCHERS RECOGNISEDSome 40 faculty members at The UWI, Mona wererecognized for their outstanding performance at theannual Awards Ceremony in Recognition of Out-standing Researchers held Friday, January 29, 2010at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre.

Heading the list for the Best Research Publication inthe Faculty of Humanities & Education were Dr.Sabrina Rampersad, Department of History andArchaeology, for her article Targeting the JamaicanOstionoid: The Blue Marlin Archaeological Project anddepartmental colleague, Dr. Matthew Smith, for hisbook Red & Black in Haiti: Radicalism, Conflict andPolitical Change, 1934 - 1957. Dr. Smith also copped

the award for Most Outstanding Researcher in theFaculty.

The award for the Research Project Attracting theMost Research Funds went to the Caribbean Centreof Excellence for Teacher Training, specificallyProfessor Stafford Griffith, Mr. Delroy Alleyne, Mrs.Joan Ernandez, Mrs. Corrine Richards, Mr. LukeJackson, and Mr. Winston Kerr, all of the Institute ofEducation. The Centre also received the award for theResearch Project with the Greatest Business/Economic/Development Impact.

In the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the award for BestResearch Publication was given to three separatearticles. Dr. Michael Boyne, Dr. Carolyn Taylor-Bryan,Professor Franklyn Bennett, Mrs. Tamika Royal-Thomas, Professor Rainford Wilks, and ProfessorTerrence Forrester, of the Tropical Medicine ResearchInstitute received one award for their article Theassociation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisactivity and blood pressure in an Afro-Caribbeanpopulation.

The UWI, Mona Western Jamaica Campus team of Dr.Jeffrey East, Dr. Christopher Valentine, and Dr.Garfield Blake, all of the Department of Surgery,Cornwall Regional Hospital, Western Jamaica Campusshared the award for their article entitled Sentinellymph node biopsy for breast cancer using methyleneblue dye manifests a short learning curve amongexperienced surgeons: a prospective tabularcumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis.

MonaNews

The University of the West Indies willconfer 15 honorary degrees at theupcoming graduation ceremonies.

Five honorary degrees will be awarded at The UWI,Mona Campus. Two Jamaican entrepreneurs, Mr.George N. Ashenheim and Hon. William A. McConnell,will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws(LLD). Consultant Physician Dr. Knox Hagley ofGrenada, and Neurosurgeon and educatorDr. Renn Holness will both receive thehonorary degree of Doctor of Science(DSc) while the honorary degree ofDoctor of Letters (DLitt) will beconferred on author, educator andformer Public Orator at The UWI,Mona Campus, Professor EdwardBaugh.

Ten honorary degrees will be conferred at the otherthree UWI campuses. At Cave Hill, the Doctor of Laws

degree will be conferred on theologian and educator,the Rev. Dr. Kortright Davis of Antigua, the Hon.Elliott D. Mottley, QC of Barbados, Professor Naana J.Opoku-Agyemang of Ghana and Bandleader, Mr.Charles E. Straker of Barbados.

At the St. Augustine Campus, public servant Mr.Doddridge Alleyne, broadcast journalist, Mr. HansHanoomansingh and women’s advocate Mrs. Diana

Mahabir-Wyatt will all receive the honoraryDoctor of Law degree while the degree of

Doctor of Science will be conferred onTrinidadian chemist, Mr. ThomasGatcliffe.

Two degrees will be conferred at theOpen Campus ceremony: Educator and

former Resident Tutor, Mrs. Beverley Steelewill receive the Doctor of Laws while the degree

of Doctor of Letters will be conferred on educatorand novelist, Professor Caryl Phillips of St. Kitts.

Fifteen to ReceiveHonorary DegreesFifteen to ReceiveHonorary Degrees

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(L-R) PROFESSOR EDWARD BAUgH; DR. KNOx HAgLEY; MR. gEORgE ASHENHEIM AND HON. WILLIAM MCCONNELL

OUTSTANDINg FACULTY MEMBERS AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY

AT THE OPENINg CEREMONY ON RESEARCH DAY, YOUNgSCIENTIST JOEL SADLER (CENTRE) ExPLAINS THE FUNCTION OFHIS INVENTION, THE JAIPAUL KNEE TO EDUCATION MINISTERANDREW HOLNESS (RIgHT) AND THE MONA PRINCIPAL


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Chromium and Zinc in JAMALCO Bauxite which wasundertaken by Dr. Michael Coley and Dr. AnthonyGreenaway, of the Department of Chemistry.The award for the Best Research Publication in theFaculty of Social Sciences went to Dr. Densil Williams,Department of Management Studies for his bookUnderstanding exporting in the small and microenterprise. Also receiving this award was Dean of theFaculty, Dr. Mark Figueroa for his article GeorgeCumper and the Critical Tradition: Common Themesin Post World War II Caribbean Thought and Dr. ErisSchoburgh, Department of Government, for herarticle Paradigm Shift or Rhetorical Flourish? The“New Orthodoxy” of Local Governance in theCaribbean.

The Most Outstanding Researcher in the Faculty wasProfessor Anthony Harriott, Department ofGovernment, with five Publications.

The Research Project Attracting the Most ResearchFunds was Political Culture of Democracy in Jamaica,

2008: The Impact of Governance, USAID, LAPOP,Centre for Leadership and Governance, UWI, (2009)conducted by Dr. Lawrence Powell, Department ofGovernment and Mr. Balford Lewis, Department ofSociology, Psychology and Social Work.

The Research Project with the Greatest Business/Economic/Development Impact was NationalMathematics Programme Monitoring and EvaluationProject undertaken by Dr. Lloyd Waller, Departmentof Government, -Mrs. Shakira Maxwell, Centre forGender and Development Studies and Mr. GavinDaley, Department of Government.

The annual Research Day exercise highlightsinnovative work being undertaken at the MonaCampus through a mixture of exhibitions,departmental presentations, campus tours andlectures. The awards ceremony was initiated by theOffice of the Principal to recognize researchexcellence within the academy.

The third award went to Dr. Cliff Riley, Dr. AndrewWheatley and Professor Helen Asemota, of theDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences for their articleThe interplay between yam (Dioscorea sp) starchbotanical source, micromeritics and functionality inparacetamol granules for reconstitution.

The award for Most Outstanding Researcher waspresented to Dr. Donovan McGrowder, Departmentof Pathology for his 16 publications and to ProfessorTerrence Forrester, Tropical Medicine ResearchInstitute, for his 14 publications.

The Research Project Attracting the Most ResearchFunds was Creation of a Caribbean Health LeadershipInstitute prepared by Professor Brendan Bain,Department of Community Health and Psychiatry.

The award for the Research Project with the GreatestBusiness/Economic/Development Impact went toProfessor Terrence Forrester, Tropical MedicineResearch Institute; Mr. Claremont Kirton, and MissGeorgia McLeod of the Department of Economics, Dr.Georgiana Gordon-Strachan, Dean’s Office, Faculty ofMedical Sciences and Dr. Colette Cunningham-Myrie,Tropical Medicine Research Institute for the projectImpact of Jamaica National Building Society’s Micro-Credit Programme on Health and Development inJamaica.

Three academics in the Faculty of Pure & AppliedSciences received the award for the Best ResearchPublication: Professor Willem Mulder, Department ofChemistry, for his article Potential of zero charge asa sensitive probe for the titration of ionizable self-assembled monolayers; Dr. Nagarani Ponakala,

Department of Mathematics for her article Effect ofboundary absorption on dispersion in Casson fluidflow in an annulus: application to catheterized arteryand Dr. Camille Bowen-Forbes, Department ofChemistry for her article Ursolic acid analogues:non-phenolic functional food components in Jamaicanraspberry fruits.

The Most Outstanding Researcher award waspresented to Dr. Paula Tennant, Department of LifeSciences for her eleven publications and acquisitionof research funding in the areas of virology andBiotechnology while the award for the Research

Project Attracting the Most Research Funds went toDr. Judith Mendes, Department of Life Sciences forher work on Caribbean Reef Education and TrainingInitiative.

The Research Project with the Greatest Business/Economic / Development Impact was Caustic-soluble


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Tributes to RalstonMilton ‘Rex’ Nettleford

Trustees Distinguished Professor of BiologicalSciences at the University of Delaware, and2010 Homecoming honouree Professor PatriciaMartin-DeLeon has challenged graduates of The UWIto position themselves to become integrallyrepresented in the life of the institution. She said thiswas important to enhance its image and ensure thatthe institution maintains its unique perspective andwould help it strive for excellence in all areas in thefuture.

“Alumni involvement will ensure that the baton willbe securely passed to the next generation. Let us notdrop the baton–for it is all about the FUTURE. Let usmake sure that the next generation that comes afterus find us faithful. We want this institution that hasserved us so well to serve others to come. We whovalue the University’s mission should help to keep itat the leading edge in teaching, research, andcommunity outreach or service. “

Professor DeLeon was addressing the hundreds ofalumni, staff, students and members of the widercommunity who gathered at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre February 20, 2010 forthe Dinner which climaxed the annual HomecomingCelebrations and Alumni Week. She urged UWIgraduates to be alumni in more than name and toearn the title through their actions, participation,commitment and dedication to the institution.

Reminiscing on her own days at Mona, she expressed delight at being back on campus andseeing the many changes that have occurred.”Buildings have grown taller, some have gotten widerand yet my favorite ackee trees by Tayor Hall are stillin place. What is even more delightful is the bondthat I feel here today and the sense of communitythat I have enjoyed …. I do feel that I have a senseof place here, with powerful memories and moments.

Professor Deleon said that during her years at Monaas an undergrad, her interest in extracting thesecrets of nature was greatly fostered by herprofessors. “For me it was fascinating to see howProf. Ivan Goodbody’s eyes would light up when hespoke about tunicates (tiny marine animals with asac-like body), and how Prof. Skelding peeringthrough the microscope could become excited about

tiny organelles in sections of plants, organelles whichI was sure were not there because I could not seethem” She added that as a postgraduate student, sheowed much of her development as a scientist to Dr.Molly Thorburn. “She taught by example. Her passionfor her work was contagious… The enthusiasm anddedication of these professors to their fields impactedme greatly.”

Drawing on her experiences and the challenges shehad faced, she urged current students to have thecourage to study whatever field that was interestingand that they thought was important. She alsoargued that it was essential to keep abreast in theconstantly changing technological age, to beadaptable and willing to change without resting onone’s laurels.

Professor DeLeon reminded alumni of the importanceof embracing the opportunity to be a Mentor and todevelop relationships by sharing experiences topromote the careers of others. “Mentoring …protectsand nurtures and is a powerful natural humanrelationship with a lasting legacy. Mentoring, as I seeit, is an intergenerational transfer process with asymbiotic relationship in which both the mentee andthe mentor benefit. It is certainly a two-way street, a2-way learning experience.”

“… the three lessons learned during my journey andthat I would like to share with you are the importanceof maintaining the courage of one’s conviction,remaining adaptable to change, embracingopportunities to grow in new ways and developingmentoring relationships by sharing experiences topromote the careers of others,” she concluded.

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PrinciPal Presents the award to Professor deleon

Homecoming honoureeissues challenge “Let usbecome UWI Alums inmore than name””

Homecoming honoureeissues challenge “Let usbecome UWI Alums inmore than name””

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has also been head of a TradeUnion Education Institute? Thenthere were the myriad works ofvoluntary public service, local,regional and international: serviceon boards and committees, and allthe lectures and speeches he wasasked to give. When he wasappointed Ambassador-at-large forJamaica, he had already, for years,been performing that function, notleast through the monumental,spirit-lifting achievement of theNational Dance Theatre Company. Where did he find the time and

energy to do all the things he did?I got part of the answer when hewas for a while my neighbour onCollege Common. I would getawake at 5.30 to get the housegoing and to help get my youngdaughters off to school. I wouldgo downstairs, open up the house,let out the dogs and give themwater. When I opened my kitchenlouvres, I looked out across theintervening yard space into Rex’syard, sometimes just in time tosee him getting into his car anddriving off to his office. What thismeant was that by the time the

campus began its day at half-past-eight, Rex had got half a day’swork done, written another chapterof a book, and taken phone callsfrom important people here andabroad. Prime Ministers and othersuch folk had a “hot line” to him.Note, I didn’t say that he had a“hot line” to them. Anyway, I feltinadequate, but I would consolemyself for my own unproductive-ness by observing that Rex didn’thave children and didn’t keep dogs.

It is a further mark of his distinction

that all of this work was driven byone great purpose: to promoteself-knowledge and a creativesense of self-worth in theCaribbean person, a self-confidentsense of identity-in-community.This purpose was naturallyinformed by particular regard forthe African underpinnings ofCaribbean culture, while heaffirmed his commitment to theidea of cultural diversity. In himthe artist and the activist wereone. His essentially educationalmission was articulated in hismany books, on dance, culture and

identity. These works have ensuredfor him a place in the intellectualhistory of the Caribbean. He alsodeveloped his idea of communal“renewal and continuity” throughthe language of the body, dance.

A related feature of his capacity toarticulate ideas was his eloquence.His mastery of English was a factorof his self-assurance as a Caribbeanperson. Sometimes he would runrings of words round us, but wewould still go away impressed.Once, to my surprise, he asked me

to look over his draft of a lecture.I told him that it was fine, but oneor two of the sentences seemedtoo long and convoluted. He neverasked me to look at any draftagain. Then, speaking of hiseloquence, there are his famouswitty phrases and axioms, like theanthurium one I mentioned earlier,or “Every buttu in a Benz is abuttu”, or “weapons of massdistraction”. In recent times, whenanyone told him how well he waslooking, he replied that it was“only the glow of the setting sun.”

REMEMBRANCEdelivered by Professor Edward Baugh,at The University ChapelWe are met in ritual remembranceof Professor the HonourableRalston Milton Nettleford, memberof the Order of Merit, member ofthe Order of the CaribbeanCommunity, Fellow of the Instituteof Jamaica, Honorary Fellow ofOriel College, Oxford.

Having spoken those honorificwords, with due formality, onbehalf of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and the entireUniversity of the West Indies, I cannow proceed to speak about Rex,just Rex, everybody’s Rex. Thatname, Rex, and the wide currencyof its usage are a mark of theman, since it connotes a blend ofaffectionate informality with styleand regality. For “rex”, as youknow, is the Latin word for “king,”and our Rex was a prince, letalone the Kumina king.

His life will stand as a superlativeexample of how talent, wisenurturing and education cancombine to produce the highestexcellence out of circumstances oflimited social and materialprivilege. Rex has describedhimself as “a typical member of

the so-called 70 percent clan, the legendary 70 percent of theJamaican population who wereborn to a mother who did nothave the benefit of confetti.” Hewas raised by his mother and his maternal grandmother, bothexamples of that wonder of theworld, the strong Jamaicanwoman. The boy they raised has already become a legend.

Ever since the news of his deathbroke, there has been anunprecedented spate of eulogies

in the media, so much so that, toadapt his famous phrase aboutgilding the anthurium, one mustnow be careful not to gild theebony. The best of those tributesshould be collected in a book thatwill be an invaluable bequest toposterity.

Two Saturdays ago my wife wasreading one of the newspapers,when I heard her give out, “Boy,every puss, dog and fowl havesomething to say about Rex!” Itoccurs to me that, with thosewords – “puss,” “dog” and “fowl” –

she spoke a deeper truth than theoff-hand remark might haveintended; for one of Rex’s signalcontributions was that he spokeup for puss, dog and fowl, andworked to make them feel thatthey were people too.

What else shall we rememberabout him? Well, to begin with,the sheer presence of the man:the easy authority, the self-assurance without arrogance, thesartorial individuality and eleganceof the liberated man. Beyond the

presence, though, were theextraordinary range and volume oftalent and achievement. His lifewas many, simultaneous, mutuallyenergizing careers. Theachievement in each, separately,would have been enough to earnhim a place in history. He wasscholar, educator, author, dancer,choreographer, administrator,institution builder. Which otheruniversity’s Vice-Chancellor hasalso been a dancer, choreographer,founder and artistic director of adance theatre company? Andwhich other dancer-choreographer

PROFESSOR EMERITUS EDWARD BAUGH

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Augier and John Parry. At Oxford,there was Isaiah Berlin. Butperhaps the one who may becalled his chief mentor andpromoter was Philip Sherlock.

To his siblings, to his otherrelatives, to Sam, to Miss Morgan,to Miss Ruby, to his beloved NDTCfamily, we say, “Take courage fromhis strength and his example.”Tonight the music of alleluias willlift with the gentle breeze blowingacross the cane-piece. As it rises,to Bunker’s Hill, to Accompong, to

Blue Mountain Peak, and spreadsacross the Caribbean Sea, and asthe spirits dance on the waves, wewill hear, under the singing, thedrums, the drums, the heartbeat ofthe people.

“Good night, sweet prince, andflights of angels sing thee to thyrest.”“Prof,” Professor, Rex: we sayto you, as you were fond of sayingto us at leave-taking, “Bless you!”

MEN OF IDEAS OUTLIVETHEIR TIMES

The Jamaican poet, Roger Mais,wrote years ago:“Men of ideas outlive their times”Professor Nettleford was just sucha man. The creator of originalideas, he was always willing toengage in and to exchange them,and he was motivated to act onany ones he considered worthy,moving them to implementation.

When the Radio Education Unitcame under his direction, it hadalready amassed an impressiveassortment of programmes

highlighting the Arts, mainlyCaribbean Literature and Music,Caribbean Geography and History.Rex approved – yes – but made hisideas known that Government,Politics, and the nationalGenealogy should share thecollection in equal measure, sothat the data on those topics forthe so-called little “person in thestreet” might be significantlyimproved.

For years I had been agitating forproper housing for the RadioUnit’s archival collection of reeltapes, stored at the time in boxes

at the back of a room. With someannoyance I turned to Rex. Once Iput my ideas for improving thesituation he said simply, “Writethe Proposal”... and that was that.He caught the idea as adroitly as acricketer in the slips. He didwhatever it was he did and voila !The Radio Unit was extended toaccommodate « The Library of theSpoken Word ». It stands asanother of the many monumentsto Nettleford’s openness to ideas. “Men of ideas outlive their times Idea(s) held by such a man do not

end with his death...they grow like seed springing up amultitude”.Alma Mock YenFormer Staff Tutor, Radio Education Unit

HE HAD TIME FOR PEOPLEHe validated people for theirachievements. He sent letters toevery staff member who graduatedfrom UWI, notes to recipients ofawards, etc. He validated theirhopes and dreams: a young

This university has been Rex’svocation. The lives of the two havebeen seamlessly intertwined. Fromthe day when he entered the placeas a freshman in 1953, until theday when he left us two weeksago, he never left us, except for histwo years at Oxford on a Rhodesscholarship, and that was onlypreparation for returning. It is anachievement of the institution thathe is the first of its graduates tohave become its Vice-Chancellor.When he was appointed to thatposition in 1998, having been

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the twopreceding years, the transition wasonly too natural, since he had foryears been a member of what hecalled “the kitchen cabinet” ofsuccessive Vice-Chancellors.

His twenty-five years as Directorof the Department of Extra-MuralStudies and the School ofContinuing Studies, which theDepartment became under hisaegis, enhanced his claim to beingthe embodiment of the regionalcharacter of the university. He wasto play a key role in the establish-

ment of certain other units of theuniversity which have fostered itspractical intervention into the lifeof the wider community. Wethink, for instance of the TradeUnion Education Institute (whichhe headed), the Philip SherlockCentre for the Creative Arts, theCaribbean Institute of Media andCommuni-cation, the Mona Schoolof Business, the Cultural Studiesprogramme.

A feature of his leadership stylewas his accessibility, to “puss, dog

and fowl;” and closely related tothis were his thoughtfulness andgenerosity towards others, and hisunreserved gratitude to all whonurtured and mentored him in hisearly years. A few years ago, aretired maintenance worker whohad been re-hired on contract, wastold, unjustly as he thought, thathis services would no longer beneeded. In telling his story, hesaid to me, “I vex, I vex, so I justgo and talk to Mr Rex.” (I don’tthink he realized that he was adub poet.) That story was an eye-opener to me, even at that late

stage of my knowing Rex, as towhat he meant to the so-calledlittle people.

We have heard of his financial helpto young people of limited meansto further their education. Manyof us have experienced hismeticulous kindness in sharinginformation. When, in his travels,he came across some article orbook review which he knew wouldbe of particular interest to you,soon enough you would receive aclipping or a photo-copy, with a

note in his own hand.

As for his gratitude to personswho helped to make him, whetheras benefactors, mentors or rolemodels, he has spoken warmly ofDr. Herbert Morrison, who, asRex’s close friend Barbara Gloudonhas written, was like a father tohim when he was a schoolboy atCornwall College. He has singledout teachers like Clifford Francis atthe elementary school at Bunker’sHill, and Rupert Miller and PhillipWright at Cornwall. Then, at theUCWI, there were Elsa Goveia, Roy

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legacy, which you were so lovinglybequeathing to us. It is oursincere promise to you thereforethat we shall continue the robustexploration of our “creativeimagination”. If nothing else, wesimply must continue to.... rejectthe notions of minstrelsy that soeasily attend upon our avocation,and communicate the music withexcellence.So, as you continue your heavenly“Yang Ka Taa”; “Ung Ka Taa” andeven an occasional “Wah ba da badaaa, we shall indeed, heed your

challenge to “renewal andcontinuity”Franklyn Halliburton andLilieth H. Nelson The University Singers

A THINKING MANRex Nettleford brought hisunderstanding of the history andculture of the Caribbean, a keensense of identity and that we hadgrown from “the dynamic collisionof the cultures of Europe andAfrica on foreign soil” with all thesubsequent influences of the

Middle and Far East… His earlyforays into dance were in factsetting movement to folksongs,movement appropriate to the worksongs, social songs and ritualmusic that he observed in thecommunity around him,expanding on the natural gesturesand attitudes effected incommunication, for, as we allknow, tying the hands of theJamaican or Caribbean manrenders him almost unable tospeak, and definitely removes theability to communicate emphasis

and mood.

At the granting of Independence in1962, Nettleford and Eddy Thomaswere charged with producing adance show Roots and Rhythms atThe Little Theatre. They drew ondancers who had performed inPantomimes between 1959 and1962, dancers from various danceschools who had becomeaccustomed to working together,with the addition of classicalballet dancers. The success of thatshow led Rex to conceptualize a

national company from a nucleusof dancers who wanted a newapproach to dance, another kindof challenge...

The early offerings wereexperimental and exciting for thedancers. From the very outset, thefocus was dance theatre, drawingon the talents of musicians,singers and creative technicians.In the five years of his co-directorship, Thomas introducedthe music of twentieth centurycomposers of Art Music, some of

his own compositions and thedance technique already mentioned.Nettleford explored Caribbeanidioms and African derived culturalforms. This made for aninterest-ing combination, leading to thedevelopment of a recognizableNDTC dance vocabu-lary, whichhas been manipulated and adaptedthrough the years by three genera-tions of choreographers in theforty seven years of the Company’sexistence.

Under the umbrella of the National

security guard sent him some ofhis writings and poems. He hadpreviously sent copies to othersmore likely to be experts…andhad not got any reply. Prof readthem all, put in suggestions....There were people in homes,psychiatric units, lonely peoplewho saw a spark and wanted toshare their ideas. …One day alady, a total stranger, walked inwith a beautiful old Douay Bible.She said she did not know who toentrust it to – and he came up. He had time for people He sought

the best quality in persons –andbuilt upon this, not harping onfailings or weaknesses.

He was frugal with Universityresources – notes to him hadbetter be on recycled paper, funds were for teaching and research,NOT for fancy offices and plants.But he was generous to genuine cases – an old man who lost hislivelihood when his donkey died had the donkey replaced; studentsin hardship, ones wanting toattend conferences but having nofunds to present their papers.

Once I came across a bankaccount - in it he had placed anyhonoraria that he had received inorder to provide refreshments andbus fares for students inrehearsals. Many were like thenine lepers, and never returned tothank him- but it did not stop hisgenerosity.Veronica ‘Ronnie’ SalterSenior Administrative Officer,Caribbean Quarterly

A TEXTURED ANDDYNAMIC PLAYERHis was always a call forreinvention and renewal for hisbeloved outreach sectors – whichhave now become the OpenCampus.

Professor Nettleford urged hisResident Tutors and Staff Tutorsto always keep in the forefront oftheir mind that their role was tobring the Univeristy to the peopleof the region; that it was ourmandate to be creative, inventive

and cutting edge, to lead indirections that were unanticipated,unwanted but needed; to buildbridges between the Universityand the communities it served. Tobuild bridges between loftyacademic ideas and practicalapplications for the betterment ofthe individual Caribbean man andwoman who would not normallyhave access to the University.

In his afterword to the publication“Breaking down the Walls”, ahistory of the Extra MuralDepartment, Prof paid tribute to

the contribution to this sector tothe University, describing it as: “Atextured and dynamic playergarnering for The UWI not a littlecredibility and meaning for theregional integration process”. Thisis surely also a description ofNettleford himself.Simone AugierRegistrar, The UWI Open Campus

RENEWAL ANDCONTINUITY“... By virtue of sharing the samespace with you, we became firsthand beneficiaries of a remarkable

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Dance Theatre Company, andsubsequently, as part of theCultural Training Centre ( later theEdna Manley College of the Visualand Performing Arts ), Rexsupported, applauded andencouraged, insisting thateducation in dance or in any otherdiscipline expanded theconnective tracts and allowed forgrasp and understanding beyondthe boundaries of everyday life.The creative artist, he insisted, is athinking man.

NDTC is but a vehicle for RexNettleford’s vision, a vision of theabsolute importance of thecreative arts in everyday life, thenecessity of having opportunitiesfor self expression, the INWARDSTRETCH and OUTWARD REACHthat ensures understanding ofidentity and ‘interpreting ourselvesto ourselves and the world”.Marjorie WhylieMusical Director, National DanceTheatre Company of Jamaica &Staff Tutor(Music) /Senior Lecturer,The Music Unit, PSCCA

WI PROUD OF YOUHe was a man who stood in theforefront of a tradition of re-engineering black space - one whoundoubtedly took inspiration fromBunker’s Hill, his place of birth andeasily the crucible of Trelawny’sresistance to slavery and colonialism,indeed a home of the maroonsamong whom the British were firstdefeated in the Black Atlantic.

… Prof. Nettleford held the reignsof psychic, cosmological andphysical marronage which werethe blueprints used by thepeasantry and later the poor, whohave found their way in a wildAtlantic world of ruptured roots.

No matter where he went heultimately assumed the position of

the proverbial ‘head cornerstone’ –never to be ignored, and makingits contribution to the foundationof life by any means necessary.

He is gone, and we have lost themeasure of man he was, even tohis enemies. We can only takecounsel in fact that when gianttrees die, it is only at first that thespace they occupied seems largeand hard to fill. While no tree willbe like the one before, Prof.himself reminded us consistently,‘the future is secure’ and we knowthis even more now because ofthe legacy he left us.

As John Maxwell recentlyreminded us: “It is impossible todo justice to Rex Nettleford. Forexample, It is unprecedented andamazing that of Oxford's morethan 7000 Rhodes scholars,Nettleford should be among foursingled out for special centenary

honour and even moreextraordinary that the Universityof Oxford (sic) should create, inhis honour, a special prize inCultural Studies, a disciplinealmost unknown when he was atuniversity.” And, as one of therecipients of that prize, I standhere in his honour, humbled tosay –‘Great son and father of this soil,wi proud of you: proud a everywalk you walk, every talk you talkand every dance you dance….youwill always be in our words andour deeds as we make steps tofulfill the work you started.’’Sonjah Stanley NiaahThe Cultural Studies Collective,UWI Mona

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President of the UWI Alumni Association(Jamaica Chapter) Mr. Athelstan Bellamy (left)presenting the prestigious 2010 Pelican Award toGeneral Manager of the Jamaica National BuildingSociety, Mr. Earl Jarrett. The Association hailed himfor his “impactful and distinctive leadership…his long and meritorious service; for his outstandingachievements in business and excellence in hischosen profession; for so admirably demonstratinghis faith in and commitment to the cause of peopledevelopment, and for his continued association andclose work with the University.”

In response, Mr. Jarrett spoke to the outstandingcontribution which the University was making: “Iwondered what would happen should the situationarise in Jamaica where we have a day without a UWIgraduate? I am absolutely certain that the economyof Jamaica – the public and private sector - wouldcome to a complete halt. And this is something thatwe should note as graduates of The University of theWest Indies.

He went on: “I do hope that the University and theAlumni recognize the enormous opportunity that

exists to influence the direction and formulation ofthe policies of our countries in the region. Manygraduates end up at the highest levels of leadershipacross the Caribbean.

Today, this University boasts a large number ofregional leaders including five current PrimeMinisters. This vast reservoir of influence should betapped and leveraged to the advantage of theUniversity.

Secondly, I encourage the University and the Alumnito use this asset base for the advancement of thegoals of the University. It has the distinction ofbeing Caribbean based, with its pulse on thedynamic and varied needs of our peoples. It is,therefore, uniquely positioned as an importantinstitution in the development of the peoples in ourrespective countries.

One way to do so is by adopting and promulgatingthe values and principles of the University startingwith the motto, “Oriens Ex Occidente Lux – Lightrising from the West.”

EARL JARRETT RECEIVESPRESTIGIOUS PELICAN AWARD

EARL JARRETT RECEIVESPRESTIGIOUS PELICAN AWARD

As part of an initiative to identifymathematically talented students, encouragethem in their studies, and provide extra resourcesand special training for them, the Department ofMathematics, Mona, in collaboration with SterlingAsset Management, organized the JamaicanMathematical Olympiad. The 2010 JamaicanMathematical Olympiad is a national mathematicalcompetition open to all high school students inJamaica. The students compete for selection asNational Mathematics Champion at their grade level.The top three overall performers compete in theCENTRO 2010 Regional Mathematical Olympiad.

The Olympiad was conducted over four roundsbetween February and April 2010 and involved over300 students from Grades 7 – 11 in approximately

45 secondary high schools across Jamaica. At theend of the period, a total of 49 students sat the FinalRound Examination, which was held at Mona in April2010. These students came from 21 high schoolsthroughout Jamaica. After assessing the examinationscripts, the Department of Mathematics selected fivestudents for the 2010 Jamaican MathematicalOlympiad Team.

They were: Aaron Johnson, Campion College;Nicholas McFarlane, Ardenne High School; DanielChin, Glenmuir High School; Sanjae King, (FirstAlternate) Glenmuir High School and JhanelleThomas, (Second Alternate) Campion College

The team included the top three performers on theFinal Round examination. The fourth and fifth bestperformers were named as alternate selections. Theyprepared for the Regional Olympiad with the rest ofthe team and had to be ready to participate if one ormore of the first three members were unable to do so.

Prior to taking part in the Olympiad, which was heldin Puerto Rico, team members and medalists werehonoured at an Awards Ceremony hosted by the UWIand Sterling Asset Management on Saturday May 8.

In the longer term, the Department also expects toencourage all students, even those of more averageabilities, to take up a more interesting andchallenging set of experiences. It is expected thatteachers and students across the spectrum willengage in better and more satisfying mathematicalactivities in their classrooms.

CreatingMathsChampions


PRINCIPAL SHIRLEY IS DELIgHTED TO RECEIVE THE SPONSORSHIP CHEqUE FROM

STERLINg ASSET MANAgEMENT‘S MANAgINg DIRECTOR, CHARLES ROSS (RIgHT) AS

MEMBERS OF THE MATHS DEPARTMENT LOOK ON

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FOUr PrOMOTeD TOranK OF PrOFessOrThe University of the West Indies, Mona is pleased to announce the promotionof four members of staff to the rank of Professor. They are: Senior Lecturers inthe Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences Dr. Edward Ghartey andMr. Claremont Kirton; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Basic MedicalSciences, Dr. Wayne McLaughlin and Senior Lecturer in the Department ofObstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr. Minerva Thame.

Professor Ghartey has a distinguishedrecord of original work. His main areasof research and publication focus areon international finance, publicfinance, macroeconomic and monetarypolicy issues. He has carried outapplied work on countries and regionssuch as Ghana, Jamaica and theCaribbean that have received littleattention in the literature. He has alsopublished on export- led economicgrowth for Japan, Taiwan and the US.The main contribution of his work is hisapplication of recently developedeconometric techniques to newquestions and using answers derivedto inform policy. He has also applied

advanced time-series techniques to awide variety of policy related issues inemerging markets, particularly Ghanaand the Caribbean.

Professor Ghartey has publishedseveral articles in internationalrefereed journals, monographs,chapters in books as well as sixinternational conference proceedings.His publications include titles such as“Is the Caribbean Community anOptimum Currency Area” whichcontributed to the debate on whetherthe Caribbean Community is anoptimum currency area. Another,“Random Walk as a Universal Test ofWeak-Form Foreign Exchange Market

Efficiency: A Proof” provided a test forforeign exchange market efficiency fordeveloping countries that do not havea forward foreign market.

He is a director of African Finance andEconomics Association, an AssociateEditor, Frontiers in Finance andEconomics (2004-present), an advisoryboard member of the InternationalBanking, Economic and FinanceAssociation formerly North AmericanEconomics and Finance Association(1997-2010), Athenian Policy Forum,American Economic Association, TheRoyal Economics Society and severalother academic associations.

Professor Ghartey has been therecipient of several University of theWest Indies, Research and PublicationAwards for excellence in his field. Hehas also received grants from FordFoundation, Social Sciences,Humanities, and Education ResearchCouncil in the US, and Social Sciencesand Humanities Research Council ofCanada. He has chaired several andpresented more than forty completedpapers at distinguished academicmeetings and internationalconferences in the US, Europe, Africaand the Caribbean region.


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holds the Bachelor of Artsdegree from the Universityof Ghana (1979) the Master of Arts degree from AcadiaUniversity Canada (1983) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)degree from Dalhousie UniversityCanada (1987). He joined thestaff of the UWI, Mona in 1993 asa Lecturer and was promoted toSenior Lecturer in 1998. Prior tojoining the staff, he was anAssistant Professor, Departmentof Economics, Howard University,USA (1988-1993).

Professor Edward Ghartey

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Dr. Wayne McLaughlin joined the staffof The University of the West Indies,Mona in 1989 as Lecturer in theDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences– Biochemistry Section and waspromoted to Senior Lecturer in 2002.He is currently head of Departmentand also Director of Caribbean Genetics(CARIGEN), the commercial forensicDNA laboratory at The UWI, Mona.

Professor McLaughlin is anaccomplished molecular biologist whohas developed a diverse and productiveresearch programme that is focused onmolecular plant pathology issues. Heand his colleagues have carried outpioneering research on the transfer ofplasmids in slow-growing rhizobia andlater on the molecular characterizationof whitefly-transmitted geminivirusesinfecting crop plants in Jamaica such asthe common bean, pepper and tomato.Of particular note was the identificationof the introduced Tomato yellow leafcurl virus and the Tomato dwarf leaf curlvirus, as the cause of a leaf curl anddwarfing disease of tomato.

Dr. McLaughlin has also worked onlethal yellowing of coconut which hasdevastated certain trees in theCaribbean, including Jamaica. Resultsof these works have contributed to

new knowledge about viruses andbacteria affecting important crops inthe region. Additionally, his researchled to the identification of a strain ofPseudomonas and Bacillus whichprotect Scotch Bonnet peppers fromdiseases caused by Tobacco Etch Virus.Work done in green houses has shownthat germination and plant growth isincreased by these pathogens andwork is now in progress to identify themechanism by which the pathogensinduce resistance to the virus. He haspublished over 30 original and reviewpapers in local, regional andinternational journals.

As an academic, Professor McLaughlinhas been instrumental in developingand implementing undergraduatecurricula and graduate research in the areas of molecular biology andbiotechnology, and, more recently inforensic science.

His interest into the area of ForensicGenetics and Human MolecularGenetics led him in 2005, to establishCaribbean Genetics (CARIGEN), the firstindependent forensic DNA laboratoryin the Caribbean to provide expertwitness and DNA analysis to the legalprofession in both civil and criminalcases. Since then, he has served as

expert witness in several criminal casesand the unit has provided services toboth local and regional courts.Professor McLaughlin was also theforensic DNA expert witness in thelandmark case R vs. Stafford Webb forrape (2006). Genetic studies are alsounderway in Diabetes Mellitus, Autism,HIV/AIDS, the diagnosis andmonitoring of patients with Hepatitis Band C and the susceptibility ofJamaican women in Breast Cancer.

His laboratory is recognized internationallyin the area of molecular biology and hashosted several regional workshops andundertaken consultancies in molecularpathology of plant diseases.

The quality of his work has beenrecognized by his receiving a numberof awards, including two FulbrightAwards, the Scientific Council Awardfor Best Scientific Performance in 1982and 1987 and the Silver MusgraveMedal in 2001 for outstanding merit inthe field of Science from the Instituteof Jamaica.

Evidence of the respect with whichProfessor McLaughlin is regardedprofessionally is shown in the numberof boards and committees on which heserves, including membership in theAmerican Phytopathological Society,Member of the Jamaica Society forAgricultural Sciences, Board Member ofthe Coconut Industry Board andChairman of the Research Committee,Board Member of Seprod Limited,Deputy Chairman of the NationalBiossafety Committee, and Member ofthe editorial committee of the JamaicaJournal. He is the Deputy Chairman ofthe Biosafety Committee of theNational Commission of Science andTechnology, a member of the CARICOMBiotechnology Working Group and hasalso served as reviewer for local,regional and international journals.

Professor Kirton has achieveddistinction as an exceptional teacher,administrator and public servant. Hisacademic work has concentrated onCaribbean economic development,with specific reference to informaleconomic activities/small and microenterprises. In particular, he hasfocused on anlayzing the criticalproblems being experienced byCaribbean economies and offeringsolutions to these problems, especiallyin the areas related to informaleconomic activities and small scaleentrepreneurial activities as means ofeconomic survival by the poorer stratain Caribbean society. His research onRotating Savings and CreditAssociations (ROSCAS) (the Jamaican‘partner’) and pyramid schemes alsoreflect independent research which hasenhanced the knowledge base ofCaribbean scholarship. The results ofthis ground-breaking research paperpaved the way for further inquiries intothe operations of informal savingarrangements in a developing countryand influenced small scale and microenterprise research and public policythroughout the Caribbean.

Professor Kirton has also produced veryvalid work on the macroeconomicaspects of remittances as well as theirrole and that of the financial sector, ineconomic development, leading touseful policy implications. Additionally,his work on the relationship betweencrime and development in Jamaica hasbeen particularly useful and relevantfor developing country policymakingbeyond the Caribbean, contributing asit does to an understanding of thelinkages between micro-level socialdynamics and macro-level outcomes.

Claremont Kirton has also researchedand published in the area of bankingand finance, dealing with indigenousbanking, non-bank financialintermediaries (credit union, housingfinance institutions) financial sectorcrises and informal finance. This efforthas resulted in many peer-reviewedstudies, many reports and organizedactivities on issues of majorimportance for the Jamaican economyand the Caribbean region as a whole.

Mr. Kirton has coordinated theundergraduate teaching programme inthe Department of Economics overmany years as well as provided

leadership in the area of curriculumreview. As a teacher, he is highlyregarded for his innovative use ofinstructional techniques, high studentassessment scores, administrativeleadership, and his care for the holisticdevelopment of his students. He hasbeen responsible for the introductionof a number of new and modifiedcourses. More recently, he initiated andcoordinated the establishment andsuccessful implementation of the BScdegree programme in Banking andFinance, offered jointly by theDepartments of Economics andManagement Studies.

Professor Kirton has receivedoutstanding success in, and widerecognition for his professionalactivities at the national, regional andinternational levels. Over and above his consulting and advisory roles toagencies including the Food andAgriculture Organization, the UnitedNations Development Programme, theWord Bank and the European Union, hehas served on a wide range of nationaland regional bodies from the publicand private sectors as well as civilsociety. This includes work done withthe CARICOM Secretariat as Member ofthe Working Group for the StrategyPaper on the Vision and Framework forthe Single Economy, and Member ofthe Task Force on Implementation ofCompetition Policy in the CSME.Professor Kirton has also served on theBoard of Directors of the JamaicaDeposit Insurance Corporation, theAssociation of Development Agenciesand the National Development Bank,Jamaica.

He is a Trustee of the George BeckfordFoundation, Jamaica and a foundingmember of the Association ofCaribbean Economists (ACE).

holds the Bachelor ofScience and Master ofScience degrees inEconomics from The Universityof the West Indies, Mona. Hejoined the staff of The Universityof the West Indies as Lecturer inthe Department of Economics in1977, and has also served asVisiting Lecturer/Scholar atuniversities in the United States,the United Kingdom, Curacao,Surinam, Cuba and Guyana. He isan accomplished developmenteconomist and public intellectualwith a focus on the Caribbeanregion, and in particular, theJamaican economy.

Mr. Claremont Kirton


holds the Bachelor ofScience (Honours) degree inBiology from the Universityof Waterloo, Ontario, Canadaand the Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) in Biochemistry from TheUniversity of the West Indies,Mona. He also has post-graduatetraining and experience inForensic DNA analysis and theInterpretation of DNA mixturesand statistical analysis, as well asproject implementation andmanagement.

Dr. Wayne McLaughlin

NewsRound-upNewsRound-up


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Twelve (12)Jamaican teacherspursuing theMasters inEducation degree inScience and MathematicsEducation at the Schoolof Education, TheUniversity of the WestIndies, Mona, will begoing on a two weekvisit in May to theUniversity of Reading,Institute of Education inthe United Kingdom as part of an initiative to createChampion Teachers of Mathematics and Science.

The “Creating Champions” project is part of a specialcollaborative agreement which has been signedbetween the School of Education, Mona and theUniversity of Reading, Institute of Education. Underthe terms of the agreement, the Science, Mathematicsand Information Technology (SMIT) Centre at UWI,Mona, will collaborate with the University of Readingin implementing the new schools championprogramme in Science and Mathematics. The decisionto focus on these subject areas comes against thebackground of the poor performance of Jamaicanchildren in Mathematics and Science. According tothe Coordinator of the SMIT Centre, Dr Tony Sewell,“this project aims to give some of the country’s bestteachers the chance to be exposed to new techniquesand theories in the teaching of Mathematics andScience. The hope is that some of these teachers willbecome ‘Master’ teachers which means that they willbe mentors not only in their own school but spreadthe practice to other local schools.”

The objectives of the five – year agreement include,but are not limited to, enhancing staff developmentopportunities; sharing knowledge and skills in areasof competence and increasing education enrichmentopportunities for graduate and undergraduatestudents of UWI and University of Reading. Theagreement will also focus on promoting jointresearch and collaborative bidding for internationalprojects; advancing knowledge and skills in the areaof institutional management in higher education;promoting cultural and educational ties among

Caribbean students andprofessionals in theCaribbean Diaspora andbetween Caribbean andnon-Caribbean studentsand professionals.Promoting performanceat the highest inter-national standards aswell as facilitating inter-cultural competence willalso feature in the collab-orative agreement.

Prior to the departure of the Jamaican group,lecturers from the University of Reading, led by theDirector of the Institute of Education, Professor AndyGoodwin, visited the UWI, Mona campus during theweek of February 22 in order to meet the teachersselected for the programme and assist in their coursedevelopment and preparation. During their stay atMona, the British educators also visited a number ofsecondary high schools, and held discussions withEducation officers and academics based in Jamaica.The UK group said it was impressed by thededication of Jamaican teachers and was happy to bepart of a ground breaking partnership with The UWI,Mona.

The University of Reading will provide the Jamaicanteachers with a follow-up distance learning course ontheir return to Jamaica. There will be possibilities forjoint research projects between the SMIT Centre andReading academics, as a direct result of theprogramme. Other expected outcomes of thecollaboration include the enhancement ofperformance of teachers and schools from bothregions in Science and Mathematics teaching andlearning; the development of a significant number ofScience, Mathematics and Information Technologyadvanced skilled teachers able to promote theirsubjects to a range of schools in their area and thedevelopment of on-line resources and opportunitiesfor research projects for UK and Jamaican students.The aim is also to develop a model for furthercollaboration in Science, Mathematics, InformationTechnology or any other area deemed appropriate byboth parties.

UWI–-UK COLLABORATION TO CREATECHAMPION TEACHERS OF MATHS & SCIENCE

She joined the staff of The University of the West Indies, Mona in 1992 as aResearch Fellow at the TropicalMetabolism Research Unit. She was anAssociate Lecturer in the Section ofChild Health from 2002 – 2005 and wasappointed Senior Lecturer in ChildHealth and Head of the Section in2005. During this period she was also a Consultant Paediatrician at theUniversity Hospital of the West Indies.

Minerva Thame has distinguishedherself in the areas of teaching,research, publication andadministration. As Head of Section, sheensured efficient and equitableadministration of the functions of theSection. Her contribution to theteaching and the further developmentof courses and programmes in theSection of Child Health has beensignificant. She contributed to therevision of the curriculum and theregulations as well as to thedevelopment of the Study Guide forthe Child Health component of the MBBS programme. Professor Thameactively promoted research theses toadvance the development of research

in Paediatrics. Currently all DMstudents do a research paper, many ofwhich have been published in peerreviewed journals.

Professor Thame also has an impressiverecord of research focusing on theareas of maternal nutrition and how itimpacts foetal growth and birthoutcome. Her studies relate directly tothe concept of the developmentalorigins of health and disease. For herdoctorial thesis she explored theimpact of maternal size duringpregnancy, on placental and foetalgrowth and on the outcome of thenew born. This study was the largestever done worldwide and the only onewhich measured growth at seven timepoints during pregnancy. Subsequently, she went on to examinetwo high risk groups; pregnant womenwith sickle cell disease and pregnantteenagers. She has created newknowledge and has raised importantissues with respect to the relationshipbetween the intra-uterineenvironment, birth outcome and longterm development. Her work is wellknown in the international community

and has resulted in several areas of international collaboration andresearch grants. She has attracted overone hundred thousand United Statesdollars in research grants.

Professor Thame has published over 35papers and 28 abstracts, many of whichare in international peer reviewedjournals.

The newly appointed professor has alsocontributed significantly to the life ofthe University, providing leadershipand support by serving on a number ofcommittees at the Faculty and Campuslevels. She is presently the Chair of theSpeciality Board in Child Health, Facultyof Medical Sciences; she is also amember of the AccreditationCommittee and the Graduate Studiescommittee, Faculty of Medical Sciences.She previously served on the EthicsCommittee, (UWI, Mona/UHWI).

Minerva Thame has an outstandingrecord of public service. She served asPresident of the Paediatric Associationof Jamaica from 2002- 2003 and is theVice President of the Caribbean Collegeof Paediatricians . She is currently aDirector of the Jamaica Down’sSyndrome Foundation and a memberof Down’s Syndrome International.She has been a reviewer for the WestIndian Medical Journal, BMC Pregnancyand Child birth, Paediatric and PerinatalEpidemiology, Archives of Diseases inChildhood, Public Health Nutrition andthe European Journal of ClinicalNutrition.

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holds the Bachelor ofMedicine, Bachelor ofSurgery Degree (1985),Doctor of Medicine Degreein Paediatrics (1991), as wellas the Doctor of Philosophy inCommunity Health (1999) fromthe University of the West Indies.She also holds a Diploma in ChildHealth (1988) from the Universityof the West Indies.

Dr. Minerva Thame


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The University of theWest Indies, Mona and theWater Resources Authority (WRA)have signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) to improveknowledge of water resources in the island, and enhance staff andinstitutional capacity in the waterand education sectors. This will be done through research anddevelopment in water resourcesplanning, management, anddevelopment.

Under the terms of the MOU, TheUWI, Mona in collaboration with theWRA will: identify and formulatewater resources research projects;prepare proposals for funding ofwater resources research projects;seek funding to facilitate projectsand cooperate with the WRA onpublic education programmes,especially in the areas of disastermanagement and climate changeimpacts on water resources, usingresearch data to highlight waterresources problems and recommendsolutions. It will also provide theWRA with information from itsresearch base for collaborativeprojects, and trained personnel toaugment its professional staff. TheUWI, Mona will also identify studentsfor projects to build capacity andinstitutional building in the waterand education sectors, while addres-sing manpower needs at the WRA.

In addition, the WRA will involvestudents in projects to ensurecapacity and institutional building inthe water and education sectors;assist with supervision of studentsin carrying out projects at all levelsin collaboration with The UWI andprovide relevant data to The UWI tofacilitate research.

Speaking at the signing, at the UWI,Minister of Water and Housing, Hon.Dr. Horace Chang, said water is oneof the critical elements in thedevelopment process and is anindicator of the quality of life, butthere are not enough experts in thisfield. “Being a small country, weneed to ensure that the entire bodyof experts and knowledge cometogether in a collaborative effort, to ensure we can make the kind ofdecisions required, with the bestadvice and guidance required,” hesaid.

Dr. Chang added that the UWI stud-ent body and its academic researchwill benefit from the collaborationand the WRA’s work. He noted thatclimate change is topical and thecountry must make some criticaldecisions as it relates to source andmanagement of water, and relatedresources.

“That’s why this collaborative effortis of major significance now. Muchwork has been done over the yearsin the department of geology andgeography, but a lot of times theuniversity is accused of its researchbeing above the heads of everyone –but it is now the responsibility ofagencies, such as the WRA andpolicy-makers to ensure that thisbody of research is related to thepractical day to day affairs of thecountry,” Minister Chang argued.

UWI, Mona Principal, ProfessorGordon Shirley lauded the collabora-tive effort, noting that “managingwater in the short, medium and longterm really requires the develop-

ment of know-how and systemicanalysis.” He said the WRA has thisknow-how and that “when we com-bine it with the kinds of capacitiesthat we have here in the faculty ofPure and Applied Sciences, and theDepartment of Geology and Geogra-phy, and the work that is being donewith the Mona Geo-Informaticsgroup, there is enormous potential.”

He noted that The UWI, Mona hasacted “very quickly” to partner withthe WRA in this sharing of researchinformation, and identifying thekinds of projects that would takethe agency’s agenda forward. ThePrincipal also highlighted the factthat the collaboration will providestudents with the opportunity towork on real projects throughinternships, which would help themto understand how to leverage theirknowledge in assisting with nationbuilding.

In his remarks, Chairman of theWRA, Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee, Jnr.stressed the importance of theprogramme being a university-wideone, as the research componentsextend beyond the Faculty of Pureand Applied Sciences to economics,and public health, among other areas.

“We need to continue to supplyexcellent graduates from the UWI tocontinue to help Jamaica,” Dr. Ayeesaid, noting the need for morehydrologists, hydrogeologists, andrelated professionals, in order tosecure the continuity of the island’swater resources programme.

UWI AND WRA SIGN

MOU TO IMPROVE

KNOWLEDGE OF

WATER RESOURCES


MINISTER OF WATER & HOUSINg, DR. HORACE CHANg (2ND FROM RIgHT) AND PRINCIPALSHIRLEY (RIgHT) SIgN THE MOU, IN THE PRESENCE OF WRA CHAIRMAN, DR. PARRIS LYEWAYEE JR. (LEFT) AND MR. BASIL FERNANDEz


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n e W s P i c T O r i a l

What does kicking a football, throwing abasketball and drinking from a water fountain allhave in common? The short answer is Physics oftwo dimensional (2D) motion i.e. Projectile Motion.The over one hundred and twenty participants atthe first UWI, Mona Physics Workshop Series heldat the UWI, Mona-Western Jamaica Campus explor-ed various topics covered in the CaribbeanAdvanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) Units 1and 2 syllabuses on Friday, January 8, 2010. Thestudents who came from three high schools andone community college in Western Jamaica wereexposed to the theoretical underpinnings ofPhysics in a fun-filled environment using practicaldemonstrations, experiments and computersimulations. The Workshops covered two topicsnamely: Projectiles and Operational Amplifiers.

These Workshopscontinued at UWI,Mona Campus in theDepartment of Physicsover the periodJanuary 11-14. TheSeries allowed overnine hundred sixthform and communitycollege students fromtwenty-four schools inthe corporate and ruralareas to participate inone day Physics

Workshops covering specific topics on the CAPEUnits 1 and 2 syllabuses.

In 2007, the Department of Physics initiated thisOutreach activity as a way of responding to gapsin teaching Physics at the sixth form level owingto insufficient equipment in some high schools toteach particular topics such as OperationalAmplifiers. Students also have an opportunity toconduct experiments as part of their SchoolBased Assessment (SBA), an internal componentfor the CAPE examination, during theseWorkshops.

Additionally, the Workshops provide the studentswith close interaction with lecturers with greaterexpertise in teaching Physics, as the Workshops

are conducted primarilyby a team of UWI lecturerssupplemented by graduatestudents. One of the co-ordinators of the Work-shop and Lecturer in theDepartment of Physics,Dr. Michael Ponnambalamoutlines that the Workshophelps the students to“taste and see that Physicsis fun,” and has been atremendous success sinceits initiation.

BRINGING PHYSICS ALIVE!

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The Department of Chemistry, Mona hosted the 23rd Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry Symposium on January 4-7. As part of the Opening Ceremony there was a pre-launch ofthe book, “The Department of Chemistry, UWI, Mona“ authored by Ken Magnus, former Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Robert Lancashire, Professor of Chemistry,UWI, Mona. The book gives an account of the history of the Department of Chemistry highlighting its teaching, research and the impact to public policy. It also paints a vivid picture ofthe founding of the then University College of the West Indies, the struggles, debates and victories. The Symposium featured a number of international plenary speakers from the UnitedKingdom, the USA, Japan and Sweden.

Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Stephenson, (left) in discussionwith Mona Principal and Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington. Sir Paul was ona five day visit to Jamaica in the first in a series of planned visits of prominent internationalcrime management experts with knowledge of contemporary trends in policing, beingorganised by The UWI, Mona, in collaboration with the Police Services Commission. Thevisits are intended to facilitate an interaction between these experts and key personsassociated with the transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) allowing for anexchange of perspectives, ideas and recommendations on specific elements of thetransformation process.

The University of the West Indies, Mona hosted the International Reggae Conference underthe theme, “International Reggae: Current and Future Trends in Popular Music” fromFebruary 17-20. The International Reggae Conference provides an opportunity for artistes,musicians, scholars, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs and music lovers from around theworld to share their perspectives on the ways in which reggae and dancehall have beenappropriated and adapted in a variety of cultural contexts.

The UWI and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) have collaborated to establish a BiodiversityCentre at the Port Royal Marine Laboratory. It was launched on January 26th, 2010 by Dr. the Hon. RonaldRobinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade and Chairman, NationalCouncil on Ocean & Coastal Zone Management.

PHYSICS LECTURER, DR. MICHAEL PONNAMBALAM HOLDS

THE ATTENTION OF THE CLASS

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the autistic spectrum disorder in Jamaicaconducted by Hall and Samms–Vaughan et al (2001)investigated the possibility that an environmentaltrigger interacting with a genetic component causesautism. It examined the relationship betweenenvironmental pollutants or toxins, like mercury andautistic disorder. In this study no association wasfound between living close to possible environmentaltoxins, use of household chemicals and autismduring pregnancy.

Roberson, Hall et al (2001) examined Obstetriccomplications and autism in Jamaican children, thisstudy explored the relationship between obstetricand perinatal history and the diagnosis of autisticdisorder in Jamaican children. This study found thatmothers of autistic children had higher rates ofcomplications during labour and pregnancy and alarger percentage of autistic children were either bornprematurely or late. The study also found thatmothers of autistic children tended to be older andhad fewer children. These findings are in keepingwith previous research in developed countries.

Maternal stress associated with raising autisticchildren in Jamaica was a study by Siles andSamms–Vaughan (2001) which investigated thecorrelation between levels of stress and raising anautistic child in Jamaica. They found that there wasan association between raising an autistic child andmaternal stress but this depended on the severity ofthe autism.

Samms–Vaughan and Franklyn–Barton (2008)examined the role of early childhood professionals inthe early identification of autism. This study foundthat even though there was maternal concern aboutlanguage development at an early age, identificationand diagnosis was made more than twenty–fourmonths after. In comparison with developedcountries, mothers of autistic children in Jamaicaidentified developmental concerns at about the sametime of 21.3 months, but there was significantlygreater delay in Jamaican parents obtaining adiagnosis, 43.8 months for Jamaican children and37.2 months for children in the USA. Late diagnosisimpacts on the receipt of early intervention services,which is known to improve outcome.The following recommendations were made:

• Primary health care professional and educators should be educated about autistic spectrumdisorder (ASD).

• The general public should be educated about the

milestones for child development and the “red flags” for developmental delays for which assistance should be sought by the parent.

• General practitioners and early childhood paediatricians should listen carefully to parental concern.

Current research

The University of the West Indies is collaboratingwith the University of Texas Health Science Centre atHouston (UTHSC –H)) on a study entitled “Epidemio-logical Study of Autism in Jamaica.” The study isfunded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) andFogarty International Center (FIC), and is investiga-ting how genetic and environment factors interactand may cause Autism Spectrum Disorders. The longterm goal for the project is to develop a large scalepopulation – based Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)study in Jamaica. Currently the team is conducting apilot age and sex matched case-control study aimedat:

• Examining whether exposure to mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium contribute to the develop-ment of autism.

• Assessing the role of genes and their interactions with the heavy metals like lead and ASD.

• Assessing demographic and socioeconomic and lifestyle parental factors (e.g. smoking and drinking) for their impact on the development of autism.

The research process involves collecting informationbe questionnaire, including:

• Socio-demographic information and family history.

• A dietary and environmental exposure questionnaire.

• Biological samples (saliva, hair and blood) to test for genes and heavy metals.

The study will run for two years and will enroll 150previously diagnosed autistic children and 150matched controls, between the ages of 2 and 8years. The study began enrollment in December2009 and so far 41 cases and 21 controls have beenenrolled.Further information on this study may be obtainedby contacting the UWI research team at 619-0707.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disabilitywhich affects a person’s ability tocommunicate, play and socially interact with othersand understand language. Autism usually appears asdevelopmental delays before age three and is moreprominent in males, with a male female ratio of 4:1.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV),these diagnostic categories are under the heading of“Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs).” Thedisorders are defined by deficits in three core areas:social skills, communication, and behaviors and/orinterests. Types of autism spectrum disorders, orPDDs, include:• Autistic Disorder• Asperger Syndrome• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder• Rett Syndrome• Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NotOtherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

All these disorders are characterized by differentdegrees of impairment in communication skills,social interactions, and restricted, repetitive andstereotyped patterns of behavior. Children withautism spectrum disorders may be non-verbal andantisocial, as in the case of many with “classic” autism,or Autistic Disorder. On the other end of the spectrumare children with a high-functioning form of autismcharacterized by idiosyncratic social skills and play,such as Asperger Syndrome. Two out of every threechildren with Autistic Disorder are mentally impaired;mental impairment is most frequent at the severe endof the spectrum. Children with Asperger syndromehave normal development.

Treatment for people with autism should include earlydiagnosis to increase the child’s chances for success;speech therapy; occupational therapy – fine motorand co-ordination problems; behaviour thera-py andappropriate Education Placement.

UWI’s Research on Autism

While there is much research on autism in developedcountries, there is very limited information available

on the epidemiology of autism in developing countries.As the high prevalence of this condition is now con-sidered a worldwide public health epidemic, studiesfrom developing countries are particularly importantin the quest for identifying underlying causes, whichcould lead to reduction in prevalence and/or severityand impact of this condition.

Professor Maureen Samms -Vaughan and colleaguesfrom The University of the West Indies have doneseveral studies on autism, which have been publishedas abstracts or full papers. These studies have lookedat the effects of the environment on autistic spectrumdisorder in Jamaica, Obstetric complications andautism in Jamaican children, Maternal stress associa-ted with raising Autistic children in Jamaica and Therole of early childhood professionals in the earlyidentification of autistic disorder.

The study on The effects of the environment on

AUTISM - Understandingthe disorder

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effective partnerships with yCWJ, Social DevelopmentCommission (SDC), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF),the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC)and other supporting institutions, thus reducing theattractiveness of entering and continue to engage ingang related activities.”

Dr. Kn’Ife also said that the UWI students involved inthe programmes of the OSE, several of whom are fromlow employment communities, are very eager abouttheir work.“They have a strong urge of giving backbecause they understand the universal landscape,” hesaid.

In September, the OSE and yCWJ start the Studentsfor the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship(SAGE) programme that will encourage clusters ofschools to work in symbiotic relationships whilepursuing sustainable businesses. SAGE will be run asa pilot project in both traditional and non-traditional

schools so as to engender cross-school collabora-tionand build meaningful relationships. SAGE is thebrainchild of Dr. Basil Burke of the UWI ConsultingOffice, who has partnered with and provides signifi-cant mentoring and guidance to OSE & yCWJ in howto roll out the social entrepreneurship activities.According to Dr. Kn’Ife, “this collaboration acrossgenerations of faculties can produce pragmatic andeffective intervention programmes. Additionally, thisprocess dovetails with and supports the Princi-pal’sthrust for UWI to meaningfully engage the communi-ties as reflected in the UWI Township Programme.”

Dr. Kn’Ife added: “Each school will have its own busi-ness idea and we want them to know that one busi-ness can strengthen another’s business, so you arecreating a real-world situation. We want to emphasizeinventing entrepreneurs: those are persons who caninnovate and come up with technologies that can betransformed into enterprise.”

tudents in the Department of Management Studies, Mona are participating in an innovative programme aimed at encouraging best entrepreneurial practices in low income comm-

unities. The university students, who are pursuing aSocial Entrepreneurship, module as part of the BSCdegree option in Management and Entrepreneurship,will assist in establishing meaningful and effectivepartnerships with youth in rural and ‘inner-city’communities in order to help them become engagedin entrepreneurial activity.

The initiative is being coordinated by the Office ofSocial Entrepreneurship (OSE), and youth CrimeWatch Jamaica, (yCWJ) located in the Department ofManagement Studies, Mona. yCWJ is a non-govern-mental organization which aims to provide a crime-free, drug-free environment through a youth-ledmovement, to instill positive values, foster goodcitizenship and build self confidence in youngpeople and to enable youth to become resourcesfor preventing crime, drug use and violence in their schools and neighbourhoods. The collaborativeproject is called Saving Lives through Enterprise.This is an alternative training and educationprogramme which seeks to stem the formation of violent gangs while aiding in transforming gangmembers into entrepreneurs within the micro smalland medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

Lecturer and researcher in the department ofManagement Studies, Dr. Kadamawe Kn’Ife says that the OSE and yCWJ have notedthe importance of entrepreneurshipin violence prevention and a pathfrom gang formation. ReferencingHerbert Gayle, in Adolescent MaleSurvivability in Jamaica, 2002, Dr.Kn’Ife said, “It is significant to notethat Jamaica has been consistentlyranked among the countries withthe highest rates of criminal activity.This is juxtaposed against beingranked by Global EntrepreneurshipMonitor (GEM 2005 and 2006) asbeing amongst the most innovativeand creative people in the world,being placed in the top fivecountries in the world forentrepreneurship start ups, withwomen being ranked in the topthree in the world in the start up of

new enterprises. ‘Jamaicans are innately creative asbrought out in their motivation for entrepreneurialactivity’.”

The most recent initiative of the OSC and yCWJ is the launch of “Books for Life programme” in primary,junior high and all-age schools. The project seeks toimprove literacy in schools which tend to have thehighest numbers of 'at risk youths' who are most likely to become caught up in gang violence.

In addition, core groups of students from 21 schoolsin Kingston and Montego Bay will be taken throughtwo months of business management skill training,preparing them to lead income-earning initiatives intheir schools. Done in collaboration with the NationalCentre for youth Development (NCyD) in the Ministryof youth, Sports and Culture, the programme is arare opportunity to reach a group of children whoseenvironments do not have the institutions that cansupport a sustainable community-based business.

Lead Director of yCWJ Allan Bernard explains the maingoal of their programmes is to “Empower youngstersto resist violence and taking a focus of empower-ment through entrepreneurship.”

He also noted, “We are going to be preparing advisorleadership first at the levels of Principals, GuidanceCounsellors and Parent Teachers Associations, thenwe are going to build a student core group in eachschool by training them in how to identify viable

projects, raise funds to power it andthen build activities to promote it.”The students of Social Entrepreneur-ship in the Department of Manage-ment Studies will be involved inpreparing the students.

Dr. Kn’Ife explained that the overallvision is, “To develop a model ofsustainable community development,which seeks to prevent the formationof and entry into violent gangs andto transform existing gang membersinto partners for enterprise empha-sizing the empowering of youth andwomen in entrepreneurship. Ourpurpose is to provide a viable econ-omic alternative for youth in ruraland ‘inner-city’ communities throughestablishing meaningful and

Saving Lives Through EnterpriseTransforming criminal gangs into strategic enterprise partnership

S

STUDENTS PURSUINg THE DEgREE OPTION IN MANAgEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEBATE HOW TO ENgAgE YOUTH IN RURALAND INNER CITY COMMUNITIES IN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY

Mona FootballersCreate History

Mona FootballersCreate History

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The UWI, Mona football team made historyon Saturday, March 20 at the Vauxhall High Schoolfootball field as the team was crowned champion ofthe Claro/KSAFA (Kingston and St. Andrew FootballAssociation) Major League Competition. The winqualifies the UWI, Mona team to play in the SuperLeague next season, a first for any tertiaryinstitution.

The UWI Mona team defeated Brown’s Town 3-0thanks in part to two goals scored by Andre Bernal,a UWI football scholarship recipient, and one byO’Neil Fairweather. Andre Bernal is UWI’s leadinggoal scorer and jointly holds second place as theLeague’s leading goal scorer, having scored 12 goalsin 10 Matches.

The Team had an uneven start in the beginning ofthe competition which saw UWI, Mona losing its firstgame of the Major League season. However, theTeam was able to turn this around, winning sixconsecutive matches thereafter. UWI, Mona FootballTeam Coach, Neville “Bertis” Bell commented: “theseason was a tough one because on some occasionsthe Team was required to participate in matches indifferent competitions at the same time and in some

instances the matches were played consecutively.However, the Team consisted of quality players whohad a plan and executed it well” to position them-selves at the top in the Major League. While, UWI,Mona and Rockfort ended the competition with thesame number of points UWI, Mona claimed the com-petitive edge because of their outstanding perform-ance and based on the goal difference advantagebetween the two leading teams.

Coach Bell attributed the success of the Team to “the commitment and dedication of the players madepossible partly from the support of the UWI scholar-ship programme, which has allowed the players tobe more focused”.

UWI, Mona has since the 2008/9 academic yearinitiated a football scholarship programme as part ofthe UWI Sports Scholarship initiative designed to en-hance students’ learning and development andensure character building. The programme providesplayers with financial, nutritional and academicsupport. To date, over twenty-five students havereceived football scholarships which cover the costof tuition and/or accommodation to qualifiedathletes.

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KSAFA PRESIDENT MR. RUDOLPH SPEID (LEFT) PRESENTS THE MAJOR LEAgUE TROPHY TO JUBILANT MEMBERS OF THE UWIFOOTBALL TEAM.

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UWI, Mona and ISSA Host Inaugural Football Scholarship FestivalThe UWI, Mona collaborated with the InterSecondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) tohost the inaugural staging of the UWI, Mona FootballScholar-ship Festival on January 7-9, 2010 at theMona Bowl. The Football Scholarship Festival is a partof the re-focused sports development efforts by theinstitution.

The event allowed talented and academicallyeligible young athletes to be recruited by local andoverseas coaches and provided an opportunity forthem to attend a University free of cost throughparticipa-tion in the Festival.

The Festival involved a series of games beingplayed over the three-day period, with theparticipants, consisting of senior high schoolfootballers island wide, playing against theUWI, Mona team in scouting matches. There

was an All-Manning All-Dacosta pre-gamematch, followed by the UWI, Mona’s MajorLeague Game against Police.

This staging represented the first of anannual event on the Campus’ Sporting

Calendar. The University also intends to offer aholistic development to the athletes beyond the fieldof play through motivational talks and informationsharing sessions highlighting UWI’s academic

offerings.

The University of the West Indies, Mona hasinitiated several sports development programmesrecently including the upgrading of facilities atthe Mona Bowl and improving the technicalexpertise through the acquisition of some ofJamaica’s best coaches. Additionally, a nutritionprogramme has been initiated to ensure thatthe athletes’ nutritional needs are wellmanaged.

In the 2008/9 academic year UWI, Monaoffered Sports scholarships for the first time toeleven (11) football and eight (8) track and field

athletes valuing three million dollars (J$3M).The 2009/10 academic year saw fifteen(15) students benefitting from sports

scholarships, eight (8) track and field and seven (7)football athletes. The scholarships valued over threeand half million (J$3.5M) The UWI, Mona grantsscholarships of tuition and/or accommodation toqualified athletes.


UWI Revolution Heads to Super League

The UWI Revolution netballteam blasted its way into the Super League, emergingchampions in the 2010 SupremeVentures /Jamaica NetballAssociation (JNA) Divisional ‘A’League after defeating the Jetsetters“A”, 55-42, in the final round of thecompetition held recently (May 15,2010) at the National Stadium. TheUWI, Mona team is a newcomer tothe Divisional ‘A’ League and hassurfaced from a three-year hiatus in active netball club league compe-tition. This win represents the firsttime that UWI, Mona has enteredthe competition at such a prestig-ious level.

UWI Revolution Coach, ConradParks, described the finals as“shocking” as the Jetsetters “A”team, having played in the SuperLeague for a number of years, wasthought to be superior to the

newcomers. The UWI Revolutiontook the lead in the first quarter ofthe match and maintained it in allbut the third quarter. Parks attri-butes the team’s success to “dedi-cation, hard work and an extrememotivation to succeed.”

He outlined that the UWI Revolu-tion had a close win, 39-37, in theteam’s first match during the quali-fying Open League against a moreexperienced team, Blade United.The Revolution went on to lose itssecond match by 3 points toMolynes ‘B”. This represented theonly loss for the team as Revolu-tion went on to “strike gold”,winning 14 from a total of 15matches. “The UWI Revolution hadmany close encounters but with adetermined attitude to win andgood team work, from the centrecourt, attacking third and defendersthey achieved victory in a seamless

manner,” Parks declared.

UWI Revolution Centre, Zalika Paul,was named most valuable player inthe League. Other top UWI, MonaRevolution players include GoalShooter, Alicia Williams, who top scored for the Team with an 89% accuracy rating, andShawnette Kerr, Goal Attack whoscored 13 goals from 18attempts.

MEMBERS OF THE NETBALL TEAM WITH COACH, CONRAD PARKS (LEFT)


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The excitement was palpable as German trackmanufacturers BSW handed over its signatureblue Regupol track to the world’s fastest man, theHon. Usain Bolt, on Friday, April 30, 2010. Hundredsof persons trekked to the Mona Bowl for the historicopening ceremony which took place at the UWI, MonaBowl for Sporting Excellence. The 400-metre trackwas a gift to Usain Bolt, following on his record-breaking runs on a similar track at Berlin last summer,and was laid on land donated by the UWI, Mona,which has been Bolt’s training ground for severalyears.

Mona Principal, Professor Gordon Shirley, noted thatsports was a multi-billion dollar industry and thatwith proper facilities and systems in place, there isimmense potential for significant earnings/benefitsto redound to the Caribbean Region. He noted thatJamaica had a solid tradition of sporting excellenceas well as an extensive pool of young talent.

Against that background, Professor Shirley remarkedthat the development of the track was another plankin Mona’s plans to establish a first rate sportingfacility on the campus. Mona’s mission, the Principalsaid, was “To have world class facilities for training,competition and recreation, supported by a full rangeof complementary services and continuous researchfor the holistic development of persons with sportingcareer interests within Jamaica, across the Regionand beyond “

He pointed to steps already taken, includingagreements signed with Bolt’s Racers Track Club

and the IAAF High Performance Training Centre forboth entities to be based at the Mona Bowl, as wellas with the Jamaica Football Federation for theestablishment of a Football Academy at Mona. TheCampus had also introduced a sports scholarshipprogramme and initiated additional teaching andresearch programmes in sports.The Principal pointedto other initiatives in sports medicine, nutrition andtesting. "We are also hoping to build a large multi-purpose indoor facility, which will allow us to haveall the court games, such as basketball, volleyball,netball... We have already expanded the swimmingpool. We have put in the beach volleyball facilities,we are upgrading the cricket pitch and we are goingto upgrade football fields which are used by premierleague club August Town," he said.

Principal and CEO of BSW Regupol Ulf Poeppe,expressed delight at his company’s involvement,noting that the track was the most modern andsophisticated in the world, and would assist Jamaicato continue its dominance of world sprinting.

Racers head coach Glen Mills, who was instrumentalin getting the track laid at UWI, expressed hisgratitude to BSW and the UWI, noting that the trackwould be a tremendous boost to the Club’s trainingprogramme.

The handing over ceremony was chaired by SportsDevelopment Director at the UWI, Olympic 200msilver medallist Grace Jackson, who said that effortswould now be made to raise funds to erectspectator stands for the facility.

A DREAM COME TRUEBSW delivers Regupol Track for Mona Campus


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news from the university of the west indies, mona …mounted courses in haitian creole designed to...

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