On Friday, April 8, the Council of the University of the West Indies, chaired by the Chancellor Sir George Alleyne, tackled a 25-item agenda covering financial, strategic and operational as well as governance matters. The future development of the regional institution was the primary focus of a presentation by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Harris who was making his first appearance in that capacity before the UWI’s highest body.

The Report from the External Auditors, KPMG Peat Marwick, showed that the University was in good financial health and the University Bursar in his report on the financial performance for the academic year ended July 31, 2004 indicated that the University had generated more income from its assets in 2004 than in 2003 and is able to meet its current obligations with the funds available to it and assets that can quickly be converted to cash, as the liquidity ratio (acid test) moved from 50% to 54%. He reported that the proportion of the institution’s income from Government contributions had continued to decline, moving from 56% to 55% while income from tuition fees grew from 13% to 15%. The proportion of income from other sources, such as special projects and commercial operations also showed modest increases.

The Vice Chancellor, in his assessment of the performance of the institution in the past academic year, reported that while the enrolment targets set in the five-year Strategic Plan 2002-2007 had already been exceeded, the enrolment mix was not satisfactory. He conceded that the proportion of students pursuing Science-based degrees and the proportion of graduate students engaged in research programmes still lagged behind the targeted rates. Professor Harris outlined his vision for the University of the West Indies as the institution of first choice for all Caribbean nationals seeking quality higher education, as the port of first call for Caribbean governments needing advice and technical expertise and the institution that will be first in providing new knowledge through applicable research.

In considering the Vice Chancellor’s recommendations for appointment of several Senior Managers, the Council agreed to the appointment of Professor Leo Moseley, currently Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at Cave Hill, as Deputy Principal of that campus and re-appointed Joseph Pereira as Deputy Principal of the Mona Campus. The contract of Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Kenneth Hall as Principal, Mona, was extended for two years beyond his date of retirement, to July 31, 2008. Pro Vice-Chancellors Professor Wayne Hunte (Office of Research) and Professor Elsa Leo-Rhynie (Undergraduate Studies) were also re-appointed to their positions for a further three years.

The Council also considered the reports of four Task Forces which had been set up at its meeting last year to consider and make recommendations, respectively, on a review of University Governance; on the impact of the Liberalisation of Higher Education on the region; on the establishment of a Caribbean Regional Accreditation Body and on a review of the Supplementation of Superannuation Pension Benefits. The Reports from Standing Committees and by the various Departments of the University across the three campuses and centres throughout the fifteen contributing countries of the region were also considered and adopted.

The next annual business meeting of the University Council is scheduled for April 21, 2006.
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Cecile Clayton
Office of Administration
UWI, Mona Campus

April 11, 2005