Principal of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, Professor Archibald McDonald has signalled his intention to expand the University’s academic reach to the wider global society through learning and knowledge networks.

In delivering his inaugural address at his Induction Ceremony as Principal on October 29th at The UWI Mona campus, Professor McDonald said he is determined to continue along the University’s present path of embracing science and technology in the discipline of education, noting that technology in education has evolved considerably throughout the decades into a necessary and intrinsic facet of the global education system.

The university must provide students with adequate educational tools and equipment in order to foster their learning. “ The next nuclear physicists from Jamaica cannot be taught using 20-year old Petri dishes and test tubes, nor can our tutors explain to them complex formulas and equations using a dusty chalk board”, Professor McDonald emphasized. “During my tenure as Principal, I will ensure that our students and staff have access to technology that is comparable to that found in the best institutions worldwide. The funding has to be found, and will be found.”

Principal McDonald announced that Information Technology will be used to enhance teaching, learning and research on the Mona Campus and in addition will also be used to assist the Ministry of Education, high schools and colleges in their efforts to improve the quality of education in Jamaican schools. “Information technology will be used to give our high school and college students access to UWI facilities and teachers,” he said. Referring to his plans to expand UWI’s global reach through technology, the new Principal noted that this should have far-reaching effects on performance levels of secondary and tertiary students, as they will now be able to view learning from an international perspective, which will hopefully ignite a high level of innovative and critical thinking.

He acknowledged the work of the Jamaica Research and Educational Network (JREN) and Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) which promote affordable and easy access to learning and research materials by creating a broadband network of collaborating libraries and academic institutions. Principal McDonald said these networks are not in competition with The UWI, and will actually complement and enhance the work of the University. He said students will gain immensely from the exchange of cultural, academic and social knowledge.

He said in light of the significant financial resources required to fund the university, the Mona campus intends to lead the discussions on funding of tertiary education in Jamaica and the Caribbean.  He said while Governments of the region have a duty to provide some funding to public tertiary level educational institutions, it is clear that the region does not have the resources to fund the quality education that the people of the region deserve, and which The University of the West Indies should provide.  He proposed that a new funding model should be developed based on practical experiences, and noted that the model could not be decided in a meeting setting only. He said that the university must continue to diversify its sources of revenues through new approaches in its core business of teaching and learning, through a more meaningful engagement of alumni, and by taking a new approach to research and development.

Other plans were also outlined for the creative industry and The UWI, Mona Western Jamaica Campus. Professor McDonald said he planned to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the Colleges to develop a range of programmes in the creative industries that will form the embryo of an industry in the creative arts. He said this industry would provide opportunities for creative young people to develop their diverse talents and to make meaningful contributions to the economic and social development of Jamaica and the Caribbean. He proposed that the University must also strengthen its support and promotion of artists, writers, musicians, and actors, in their efforts as for they, as the storytellers of the histories and experiences, and protectors of Caribbean identities.   

Professor McDonald is the 13th Principal of The UWI Mona Campus. He succeeds Professor Gordon Shirley who has been seconded to the Port Authority of Jamaica. The new Principal’s Induction ceremony was attended by UWI Chancellor Sir George Alleyne who presided, Vice-Chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris; Chairman, Mona Campus Council;  The Hon. Dr.  Marshall Hall; Minister of Education, Rev The Hon  Ronald Thwaites; Principal of UWI St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, Professor Clement Sankat; Principal of UWI Cave Hilll in Barbados, Sir Hilary Beckles; Principal of The UWI’s Open Campus, Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald  and Deputy Principal of the Mona Campus, Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa among other dignitaries.

Read the Full text of the Prinicpal's Speech HERE.