The Annual Retreat for Managers of the Bursaries and the Office of Finance was hosted by the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados over the period May 11-12. The venue for the Annual Retreat is rotated by Campus. This year’s theme – ‘Managing the Financial Requirements of the University Enterprise: The Role of Finance Officers’ was selected in keeping with the University’s programme for the development of the new Strategic Plan 2007-2012.
Dr. Marion Williams, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, in her address stressed the importance of the University’s increased involvement in delivery of training in financial services in the region. She stated the fact that the financial sector was the fastest growing sector in the entire Caribbean both in terms of scale and complexity, and there was a need for the region to be current with the rest of the world in its financial knowledge and practices, in order to be seen as a thriving sector.
Professor Wayne Hunte Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean, School for Graduate Studies and Research in his Remarks, after lauding the sterling contribution that the staff of the Bursaries and the Office of Finance gave to the University, referred to some of the broader issues on which the finance officers could play a major role in improving. These included the transformation of our economies with respect to sustainable development, the relationships between the Academia and Administration, financing for Graduate studies, and consultancies.
Mr. Robert Le Hunte, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados National Bank, who also gave an address, charged participants to look critically at UWI’s new thrust in seeking funding to finance its infrastructural requirements. It meant finding creative or innovative ways of developing a culture of enterprise, as the institution embarks on its Strategic Planning for the period 2007-2012. Mr. Le Hunte shared his experience with respect to the success at the Barbados National Bank and the strategies used in the process.
Presentations were made by a resource person – Mr. Larry Goldstein, Managing Director, Campus Strategies, Virginia, U.S.A Topics covered by Mr. Goldstein included - Strategic Resource Allocation, Future Timelines and The Leadership Wheel. Other presentations were - Building The Strategic Component of the Strategic Plan 2007-2012; Linkages between Banner Finance, Banner Students (SAS) and PeopleSoft, Update on the Financial Code and Outline of Presentations to Deans and Heads of Departments, eCommerce, Banner Finance, Management of Recoveries from Special Projects, and WebsitesMr. Carlyle Greaves, Director of Planning and Mr. Carlton Samuels, Director of Information Technology attended the two-day Retreat and made presentations.