The University of the West Indies

E. Nigel Harris, MPhil, MD, DM, Vice-Chancellor

“How better to capitalise on the resources and output of tertiary education to drive

competitive growth in the English Speaking Caribbean”

Questions for today’s discussion

What more should Universities be doing to expand competitive growth in the Caribbean?

What is the role of the private sector, governments in linking with universities for economic/social development?

For universities promoting research and innovation, how can their output be translated into commercial enterprises?

America is driven by innovation — advances in ideas, products, and processes that create new industries and jobs, contribute to our nation’s health and security, and support a high standard of living. In the past half-century, innovation itself has been increasingly driven by educated people and the knowledge they produce. Our nation’s primary source of both new knowledge and graduates with advanced skills continues to be our research universities.

 Research Universities and the Future of America

Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation’s Prosperity and Security

Universities are important drivers of social and economic development:Workforce with knowledge and skillsSources of creative ideas that drive innovation and

business growth Academics provide knowledge capital – consulting

services, presence on corporate boards, participate at conferences

Universities attract intellectual resources from around the world (academics, students)

“Travelling academics” garner knowledge to bring to their countries

The University of the West IndiesBackground information

The UWI is the major regional university in the English speaking Caribbean, providing service to 15 countries across a million square miles of sea. From its inception in 1948, it has strived to be a full-service university.

The Full-Service University

Provision of skilled human resources

Innovative ideas - Research for Development

Consultancy and Advisory services

The University of the West IndiesProducts – 1948 to 2011

120,000 graduates with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees

Graduates have gone on to play leading roles in governemmnts (17 Prime Minsiters) private sector, professions in nearly all 15 contributing countries

Currently has 4 campuses – Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Open Campus has sites in all 15 countries

1,500 to 2,000 academics, 60% with terminal (PhD, DM) degrees

Current enrolment – 47,000 Graduates annually: 8,000 – 9,000 students

Skilled Human Resources Graduation figures UWI: 8,000 – 9,000 annually Add this to the output from other national universities

University of Technology Jamaica University of Belize University of Trinidad and Tobago Northern Caribbean University University of Guyana And those educationed by universities in North America, the UK

and elsewhere It is likely that the English speaking Caribbean is producing

about 17,000 – 18,000 persons annually with post secondary education (region of 5 million people) (15 - 20%) degrees.

Are we capitalizing on this bounty?

Unemployment Rates - Cave Hill (as at Jan 2011 for 2009 First Degree Graduates)

Education Humanities Medical Sciences

Pure & Applied

Sci

Social Sciences

Overall0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

22.2%25.0% 25.0%

28.6%

14.2%

18.8%

Data from Office of Planning and Development

Unemployment Rates – Mona (as at Jan 2011 for 2009 First Degree graduates

Education Humanities Med. Sci. Pure and Applied Sci.

Social Sciences

Overall

1.5%

20.5%

5.6%

25.6%

18.2%15.3%

Data from Office of Planning and Development

Unemployment Rates - St Augustine (as at Jan 2011 for 2009 First Degree

graduates

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

21.3%

8.5% 9.8%

0.0%

24.1%22.6%

18.1%17.3%

Data from Office of Planning and Development

How do we ensure more of our students’ knowledge, skills are

better utilised?

Attributes of UWI Graduates

A critical and creative thinkerA problem solverAn effective communicatorKnowledgeable and informedCompetentA leaderA team player IT skilled and information literateSocially and culturally responsiveEthical Innovative and entrepreneurialA lifelong, self-motivated learner

Can we prepare students so that they can become

entrepreneurs?

One major approach has been for the universities to provide students with knowledge skills so that they themselves may be drivers of new businessesThe UWI Business Schools

The Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business (ALJGSB)

Cave Hill School of Business (CHSB)The Mona School of Business (MSB)

Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business

1,024 students currently enrolled in post-graduate degree programmes:71% have declared their intention to start a business

within the next 3 years23% are actually business owners.

Three years ago, only 21% of students declared their intention to start business in the short term.

Of a total of 3,745 graduates we estimate that about 9% have their own business based on a recent survey of a sample of 350 graduates.

Masters in Small and Medium Enterprise Management (ALJGSB) Programme started in January 2012, current enrolment: 95

students in 2 cohorts. Offered in hybrid format (on line and in site). Student Profile: Mainly business owners and relatives involved in

the business. Main orientation: A professionalization program, where

students learn the fundamentals of managing a business as well as concepts, frameworks and skills needed to make their business grow.

Some of the courses offered: Introduction to Management Customer Relationship Management Managing the Family Business Growing the Business Operations and Supply Chain Management

Expected Outcomes: Graduates capable of managing their business in a more efficient way, and with a clear strategy of how to make it grow in a predicable and sustainable way.

International Masters in Business Development and Innovation

(ALJGSB)* Programme started in 2011, two cohorts, total of 49 students. 

Student Profile: Young professionals willing to change careers Main orientation: A transition program, where students learn how to

leverage their professional experience to launch a new business with 3 particular characteristics: Innovation as a key component of the value proposition (product,

process, business model, etc) Business with high impact in the society (high job creation potential,

sustainability, high growth potential, etc) Starts from its inception as an international business venture

Some of the courses offered: Strategic Foresight and Innovation Strategies for Technology-based new ventures Social Entrepreneurship Marketing for New and Growing Ventures

Expected outcomes: Every student shall have a new business operating at the moment of graduation

* Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business

Cave Hill Initiatives Designed to Foster Entrepreneurship

Student Entrepreneurial Empowerment Development (SEED).

BSc in Management with specialisation in Entrepreneurship (Department of Management Studies).

MBA and Diploma in Entrepreneurship (Cave Hill School of Business).

Student organisations are: The Cave Hill Entrepreneurship Society Cave Hill Association of Entrepreneurs and Thinkers

Mona and Cave Hill campuses offering some of the same programmes

Programmes Designed to Foster Entrepreneurship

Cave Hill School of Business Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Over the last five (5) years, initiatives developed

intended to help entrepreneurs improve their capability to effectively manage and grow their businesses.INPYME Diagnostics

20 companies assessed, around 60 people provided with training in identified areas intended to help them in managing their businesses.

FINPYME Export Marketing 18 participants trained in developing an export

marketing plan. FINPYME Integrity and Ethics Programme

(Approximately 40 participants trained and engaged in a coaching process intended to help companies with the process of developing ethics codes)

Programmes Designed to Foster Entrepreneurship

Cave Hill School of Business Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

IADB Funded Comprehensive Portal for Small and Medium Enterprises Project funding the development of an online portal

intended to help small and medium enterprises’ owners either with registering or developing their businesses.  This project also provided training for approximately 45 participants to date.

USAID Funded Job Opportunities for Business Scale Up (JOBS) Project Project intended to build the capability of the University

in designing and delivering programmes in entrepreneurship.  Approximately 50 people trained thus far.  10 Faculty members have engaged in training and capacity building activities between the period March 2011 and June 2012)

MBA Programmes at Mona MBA PROGRAMME AT THE MONA SCHOOL OF

BUSINESSBusiness in a Global EnvironmentNew Ventures and Entrepreneurship International Business Management International Marketing and Export Strategy International Monetary Economics and Finance International Human Resource Management

Master in Business Management (MBM)The MBM is a degree designed specifically for students

who want to pursue a Masters degree in a full-time programme, and who are interested in entrepreneurship activities or in gaining some directed work experience.

Mona School of Business

Graduates who have started their own businesses Denise Dallas, Natalie Cowell and Shereeda Smith, started

a business called Elite Business Solutions. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elite-Business-Solutions/178460502177481

Marcus James – Access Financial * Douglas Lindo – Bellindo Limited * Juliet Moss-Solomon – House of Bags * Adele Brown – Agricultural exports * Debbie Morrel-Parker – inventory management company *

*We believe these graduates began businesses either before or during the programme

In what ways can UWI/national universities provide value:•Innovation (David Rampersad)•Advisory & Consulting Services

Advisory and Consulting services provided by the UWI

Advisory and consulting services are provided by several units at the UWI, e.g.:UWI ConsultingSir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic

StudiesSchools of Business at Cave Hill, Mona and St.

Augustine Institute for Sustainable Development Institute for Criminal Justice and Security Institute for Gender and Development Studies

Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Principals

Prof. Sir Hilary BecklesCave Hill Campus

Prof. Hazel Simmons-McDonald

Open CampusProf. Gordon Shirley

Mona Campus Prof. Clement Sankat

St. Augustine Campus

Pro Vice Chancellors

Professor Wayne HuntePVC

Research

Professor Alvin WintPVC

Undergraduate Studies

Professor Ronald YoungPVC

Graduate Studies

Professor Andrew Downes

PVC Planning &

Development

ConclusionWhat more should Universities be doing to

expand competitive growth in the Caribbean?What is the role of the private sector,

governments in linking with universities for economic/social development?

For universities promoting research and innovation, how can their output be translated into commercial enterprises?