The Mona School of Business and the Department of Management Studies at The University of the West Indies, Mona host the first in a Series of panel discussions for the academic year titled “The Business of Sport.” The event is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2008 at 6 pm at the Graduate Lecture Theatre (GLT 3), The Alister McIntyre Building. The panel discussion highlights trends and opportunities in the sports industry.

The panelists include: Grace Jackson, Olympian and Student Services Manager (Sports), Office of Student Services and Development, UWI, Mona, Carvel Stewart, Chairman, Harbour View Football Club, Bruce James, President, MVP Track and Field Club and Christopher Dehring, Managing Director, Local Organizing Committee, World Cup Cricket 2007.

This effort is in keeping with The University of the West Indies’ mandate of continuous education and several initiatives in sports.  The 2008/9 academic year has seen the launch of the UWI Scholarship programme where scholarships have been awarded to select student athletes in the areas of track and field and football.

The UWI in recognition of the importance of sports in the overall development has committed to providing the necessary training and competitive facilities. The UWI has plans to expand its teaching offerings in sports related courses to the postgraduate level.  Programmes slated to commence include: Masters of Science in Sports and Exercise Medicine and a Masters in Sports and Events Management.

The final phase of the UWI sports development will see the establishment of a Caribbean Institute of Sports Medicine which will be instrumental in the assessment of medical care, training of specialist physicians and diagnosing and treatment of sports injuries.