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UWI Cave Hill Takes a Hit

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Submitted by Anthony Davis
Enrollment at UWI, Cave Hill affected by government's policy to exact tuition cost from students.
Enrollment at UWI, Cave Hill affected by government’s policy to exact tuition cost from students.

“Not a single one!

That was the reaction of a senior official at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies in response to SUNDAY SUN questions whether any students had turned up with proof of having received one of the thousands of bursaries promised by Government eight weeks ago.

On July 12, while speaking at an official ground-breaking ceremony at the campus, Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, disclosed: “Young people have been saying you need to do more to help us over the threshold now that we’ve made the adjustment in tuition fees and we are committed to that. In the first few years, we will do some 3000 bursaries to help those with challenges and this has already been agreed to.

“We can say with the greatest of accuracy that not one person who has registered has brought any document or payment showing they have received a bursary from the Ministry of Education, and as far as I am aware the university has received no correspondence from the ministry indicating that any bursaries have been awarded,” the official said on condition that he not be identified.

“On August 29 Minister Jones revealed that 1695 people had applied for bursaries to cover tuition fees and officials of his ministry were processing them, after which he would take the matter to Cabinet for “sign off”. Well placed sources in the ministry told the SUNDAY SUN they were unaware of any paper being taken to Cabinet on Thursday, the last time  Cabinet sat. Repeated attempts to reach Jones for a comment were unsuccessful.”

Well, well, well!

 

The Government of promises and plans have struck at the heart of the poor, the needy, and the vulnerable once again. This Government which always seems to have such lofty plans and make such promises which they cannot put into action is only demolishing everything that others have put in place to help those mentioned. Now they cannot even keep their promise to help them with bursaries!

Mr. Blackett said that it is a “people-centred government” and I still want to know what he means by that!. Which people do you mean, Mr. Blackett? The Butch Stewarts of this world and their ilk? You certainly do NOT mean the lower echelons of our society, because you and the rest of this government have done nothing but pull rug after rug from under their feet.

RPB needs to change the words to his song “Cahn find me brother” to “Cahn find me Minister”. Ministers in this government seem to go AWOL quite often. Only recently the Minister of Agriculture couldn’t be found either. I wonder with whom this one is hanging out.

Is the minister sure that he didn’t place his paper work in his cabinet at home? Maybe this all came about because he said he wanted to do the bursaries. You don’t “do” bursaries. You award them or give them. That’s probably why he doesn’t know what he has done with them.

You have millions of dollars to pump into a hotel which is always about to start building again, but “No Seasons” seems to be too far gone, or nearly $250,000 to spend on a trip, but cannot find the money for the bursaries for the scions of the poor, the needy and the vulnerable. This means that only the progeny of the upper echelons of our society will be able to study certain subjects because of the high tuition fees.

Is this being “people-centred?

I think not!

On the other hand: Enemies’ promises are made to be broken!

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302 responses to “UWI Cave Hill Takes a Hit”

  1. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    Here you go like the others………ad hominem ad hominem, but you have added nothing of substance.

    I suggest that you do not know what UWI scientists are doing?

    Recently a Jamaican reported on his work on a local shrub that he claimed can cure prostrate cancer. He got a patent too………..then what?

    Cuban scientists dont have much choice do they?

    Enuff posted a web site with examples of work that is being done and has been done by UWI personnel.

    i dont care what you know about coconut. I SAID THE BASICS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDS JUST LIKE IN MORE PRIMITIVE CULTURES CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT FROM EARLY WHAT IS GOOD FOOD AND WHAT IS NOT.

    SUCH TEACHING IS SURELY LACKING IN OUR CONTEMPORARY CULTURE, ELSE THERE WOULD NOT BE SO MANY FAST FOOD JOINTS IN BIM

  2. David Avatar
    David

    We can expand the discussion to include software development which requires innovation and creativity.

  3. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    One other thing.

    I have been observing the DLP propaganda game plan for a while and it is basically this. If you need to bring down an opponent who has an unassailable record of achievement this is what you do:

    1) Use every opportunity to use generalities, that actually are opposite to the verifiable truth, to impugn that record.
    2) Avoid debating the details of that record
    3) Introduce lies about the person that cannot be easily checked
    4) Blow up inconvenient truths about the person and use that to identify him/her to the public.
    5) Disseminate the above to all your supporters
    6) Let them do the rest.

    OverseasBajanYankee; I think that you are not who you imply you are as you have demonstrated on BU that you are a master in the above disinformation strategy. I think I can prove it by the inescapable clues you have left in your writings.

  4. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    UWI Cave Hill Campus – Faculty of Medical Sciences: Research:

    The faculty’s main research arm is the Chronic Disease Research Centre (the CDRC), established in 1992 and now attached also the Tropical Medicine Research Institute. The CDRC has an outstanding track record, with research on diabetes, hypertension, stroke, eye disease, cancer and lupus, with funding from the Wellcome Trust of the UK and the National Institutes of Health of the USA.

    The approval of the Cave Hill Campus as a Centre of Excellence by the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control (COSEHC) in 2010 has the potential to create opportunities for collaborative research. A group headed by Dr. Damian Cohall and Dr. Kenneth Connell is currently preparing general research proposals and terms of reference for the relationship.

    Research in Progress:

    Dr. Damian Cohall, Lecturer in Pharmacology
    Research Projects:
    Dr. Cohall’s research interests are diverse and can be identified as cardiovascular risk profiling, ethnopharmacology and medical education. His research themes are as follows: Ethno-pharmacology:
    • Validating herbal remedies for the treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
    • Investigating drug interactions, inclusive of drug – herb interactions via computer based simulations and other means.

    Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profiling:
    • Examining the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) and its effect on arterial function and cardiovascular risk in an Afro-Caribbean population.
    • Assessing predictors for sustainable management of Type 2 Diabetes and other cardiovascular related conditions.

    Dr. Uma Gaur, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy
    Submitted – for ethical approval:
    • Development and validation of the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Criteria to facilitate selection of women for further investigations.
    • Evaluation methods – to work out an effective and accurate method of evaluation – A comparative study of evaluation methods in various institutes.

    Dr. Nkemcho Ojeh, Lecturer in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
    • Investigating the cellular mechanisms of keloid and hypertrophic scar formation in the Barbadian population Start date: May 2009 (On-going)
    • Health of the Nation Project Start date: October 2010
    • An in vitro study to investigate the effects of caffeine on wound healing Start date: December 2011
    • Fenzian for Asthma pilot study Start date: May 2011

    Taken from UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences web-site

  5. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    > @Caswell
    >
    > A read of Shantal Munroe-Knight’s article in yesterday’s Sunday Sun is instructive to support the point why such a large delegation.
    >

    Sorry David, you would have to post it: I haven’t bought a Nation newspaper in a while.
    >

  6. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    ARE U THERE
    are u saying that I have a plan to peddle false information? I have never been spin doctor for any party, unlike you.

    I am an idiot who graduated from uwi twice. So make sure u get the correct clue and u know too much information is dangerous.

    u now ready foe me now art running. bring it on and debate this pensioner, u want more clues.

  7. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    caswell

    u write in the paper and don’t buy them don’t let nation know

  8. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    Artaxerxes | September 15, 2014 at 2:29 PM |
    UWI Cave Hill Campus – Faculty of Medical Sciences: Research:
    EXCELLENT POST SIR!
    SOUND DOCTRINE THAT CAN NOT BE REFUTED
    YOU THEREBY SUPPORT MY POINT THAT UWI HAS MORE THAN SURPASSED ITS PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

    NOW ONE CAN WORK OUT WHAT THE FUTURE SHOULD BE LIKE

    BUT WE HAVE HAD MORONS COME ON BU , WHO NOSE EVATING BOUT EVATING BUT DONT KNOW THE BASIC FACTS ABOUT UWI’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ah lie?

  9. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Overseasbajanyankee

    When was the last time you saw anything written in the Nation by me.

    >

  10. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    what cdrc findings . doesn’t govt give it substantial sums or its research annually more than 500 000

  11. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    See link

    http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/firing-line-the-quick-fix-solution/

    @Artax

    Thanks for the update, looks like UWI has a base on which to build.

  12. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    casisie

    I does only get the news on line one my friends back home did tell mah u did writing fah the paper so I thought yah does still write fah dah,

    sorry then yah aint got nothing to worry about

  13. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    David; You said above:-

    “We can expand the discussion to include software development which requires innovation and creativity.”

    UWI, as far as I know, has taught the requisite elements of software development for decades now. They even had courses on the development of software viruses and I would expect that current lecturers in this area would be keeping themselves and their students abreast of the new tools and other continuous advancements in this area. But I think the game has expanded far past the teaching, identification and provision of tools for development of current software.

    Several youngsters have developed “APPS” for current popular platforms but many of these apps are apparently going nowhere because, imho, the thrust should be in sensible marketing of and smart partnerships with others who actually operate in this area and know the ropes. UWI could help here by bringing in Guest Lecturers with such expertise to assist students to develop in this area and it is quite possible that they are currently doing this.

    A few years ago, I understand that a proposal was made by some young programmers for funding in Barbados to develop an app with a GPS engine that would assist shoppers to find stores and products in american malls even though such an app was already available in those markets. There were also local proposals for funding of other apps that would essentially copy mature apps from the USA, Canada and England and would mainly be of use in those countries. I suspect that most of the apps developed by local programmers are less exemplars of strong innovation and creativity than examples of adaptation of mature apps for individual companies, school examination boards, political campaigning, canvassing or scaled down Caribbean business accounting systems, etc.

    Innovation and Creativity are the essential keys to success in this area and we do have people who do not lack in innate innovation and creativity. It is usually considered that the levelling effect of the world wide web would make it much easier for our young entrepreneurs to blossom and become competitive in this sphere but I am not aware that this has yet happened to the necessary extent here. Perhaps UWI and the other agencies that exist and work in this sphere should make greater efforts to zero in on this area and develop joint strategic plans to really allow the innovation and creativity of our budding entrepreneurs to flower and bear fruit.

    Of course it is quite possible that they are already doing this.

  14. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Projects undertaken from 2011- during study travel leave:

    Dr. Yasodananda Kumar Areti, Lecturer in Anaesthesia & Intensive Care
    Post Graduate Research Projects(Supervisor: Kumar AY)
    • Keisha Thomas-Gibson: Patient’s knowledge and concerns regarding anaestheisa and the level of their satisfaction with the anaesthetic services in Barbados. A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctorate of Medicine in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care of the University of the West Indies
    • Tamara Tracey Semei: Mortality and the outcomes in patients treated in Adult Intensive Care Units (ICU) in Barbados. (Data has been collected and currently being analysed. This project was supported by Grant of Bds $ 5,412.00 from the Campus research awards fund).
    • Tamara Greaves: Evaluation of nutrition practices and their impact on patient morbidity and mortality in the Adult Intensive Care Units of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. (Approval of QEH ethics committee has been obtained. Data is being collected)
    • Karisha Hinkson: A comparative study of common anaesthetic techniques for lower limb surgery in Barbados. (Approval of QEH ethics committee has been obtained. Data is being collected)

    Dr. Euclid Morris, Lecturer in Family Medicine
    Workplace violence in the health sector in a Developing Country: A survey of violence against staff in government operated primary care facilities in Barbados University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Staff Chronic Non-Communicable Disease (CNCD) Risk Factor Survey 2010

    Dr. Anders Nielsen, Senior Lecturer in Medicine
    Simulation: Project aiming at the improvement of patient flow in healthcare and building disease models using discrete event simulation. In collaboration with Professor N. Kissoon, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
    Two subprojects are currently active:
    Building discrete event simulation model of the dialysis population in Barbados and analyzing mortality data (1980-2010) for patient in the Barbados Dialysis Program in collaboration with Dr E. Mohammed. Have retrospectively collected key-data from 1979 when Hemodialysis started in Barbados and up to 2010.

  15. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    @David

    I have read ms knight article, while she has made some excellent points I do share her thoughts that the fees would impact the human resource capacity in time to come, Now that parents and student realize that they will have to carry some of the cost of education, they can now plan how the said portion would be funded. In the short time, some persons might delay either continuing or entering university.

    I will admit in this present climate there are not many opportunities for graduates unless they are in the professional streams, but the choice of entering uwi is up to the individual. In light of the current climate we must accept that change is a dynamic process, People will argue that those of us who benefitted are now closing the door, If something is not done what social services must or will be impacted.

    I know there is a tendency to say that those in the lower social class will be impacted, and to some extent that might be true, but could we have continue in the previous vein and I said no. The more reason why we recognize that with a society you try to use the resources that all can benefit to some extent.

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @Are-we-there-yet

    Understood.

    One senses our inability or unwillingness to innovate has to do with the fact we are comfortable being consumers. This is anecdotal of course.

  17. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    are-we-there-yet | September 15, 2014 at 3:27 PM |

    David; You said above:-
    “We can expand the discussion to include software development which requires innovation and creativity.”

    Presently, the Department of Computing, UWI Mona, has embarked on a number of research projects ranging from “animation and visualization to software engineering of complex systems”. The following are just a few examples:

    AMORPHOUS COMPUTING:
    Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Coore
    Overview:
    A colony of cells, sharing a common genetic code, self-organises to produce an organism. Amorphous Computing seeks to understand the organisational principles behind such phenomena by studying methods for programming computational models of such systems.
    Aim: To be able to configure (program) complex systems of locally interacting elements to achieve a prespecified emergent behaviour.

    Work in Progress:
    GPL:
    A language for specifying patterns. Programs are written in terms of “growing points” that can move across the substrate of particles, depositing material which we view as a pattern.
    ECOLI:
    A language for specifying interactions. Programs are written in terms of responses to events (messages and inputs). A response on one particle triggers an event on its neighbours, and they respond in turn. Programs at this level try to control explosion events.
    Simulations:
    Simulations of physical systems enable us to explore our ideas realistically. Amorphous Computers might be realised in many ways, e.g., silicon based chips, bacteria, nano-machines, or software agents acting in a virtual system. The low level details of each of these systems requires a different implementation. We strive to design flexible and powerful Amorphous Computing simulators without sacrificing performance

    Potential Applications
    Some applications of amorphous computing include:
    • Smart Structures, e.g.,
    o Stronger bridges
    o active aeroplane wings
    o ergonomically sensitive furniture
    o roads that report traffic loads
    • Manipulating micro-organisms
    o make molecular-scale electronic circuits
    o tag diseased cells
    o dispense drugs to localised sites
    o provide data storage
    • Providing models for:
    o Low cost supercomputing

  18. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    @david

    has any one in the Caribbean developed a cricket game. Has any one give thought to the development of a road tennis game and the moves by the land ship. I consider the aforementioned to be potential money earners. THESE are the areas I would like to see uui graduates pursuing in addition to the apps. Are we going to wait until the Chinese understand them and develop them, I was told that they have worked on our dunce hope I spelt it correctly/

  19. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    Good ideas.

    I think the late Dr James? Corbin developed a Cricket Board Game and was also involved in the development and implementation of a company that was training locals to produce high quality Computer Animations for global dissemination. I think the company and its work is still in existence.

    The idea of a cricket simulation game is a good one but I think there are a few international cricket games on the web.

    A road tennis game seems like a good idea but the feasiblity of its marketability, given its extremely low global exposure might be problematic.

    The moves by the Landship would be a good project for James Corbin’s group, but its marketability would be in question.

    I think its “dunks”. I hadn’t heard that the Chinese had done any work on it but since it grows so readily on rab land with minimal soil here it does offer immense potential as a future crop. Who knows? It might have biochemicals that could be of global importance. In any case it might also offer some potential as a biomass crop. The UWI faculty of Agriculture should do some work on this if they have not already started.

  20. David Avatar
    David

    What is Cave Hill doing about the land gifted to them by Edghill of Dukes plantation?

  21. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    I forgot to add above that a gene mapping exercise on the dunks that could identify which genes are responsible for its hardiness and ability to withstand relatively extreme conditions here could pay immense benefits. This could lead to the transfer of such genes to other economic plants and could vastly expand the range of production of such crops.

    There could be significant potential in such studies on Dunks. Perhaps, UWI, the Ministry of Agriculture, Cardi and other related agencies could take it on as a joint project.

  22. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    David; I haven’t heard what is actually on the ground there but I understand that it has been set up as a high end Research/Developmental facility under the leadership of Dr Leonard O’Garro who has a productive track record in Barbados and has worked as a Professor at UWI and a Development Officer at UNEP (I think). I must try to find out what is going on there. Thanks for jogging my memory. Perhaps someone in the know could post on this while I am trying to get some facts.

  23. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    Artaxerxes;

    Thanks for posting the information on current UWI programmes and projects that show that UWI hasn’t been standing still. Since my own knowledge of UWI programmes is somewhat dated, I was not aware of most of those projects and of the seemingly well qualified international staff working on them.

    For those who read and understand and can separate generalities from fact, those summaries should give some indication of where the actual truth about the extent or bredth of UWI research lies.

  24. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    Yes the facts from Artaxerex has ensured that the JACKASS WHO KNOWS EVATING BOUT EVATING HAS HAD TO SHUT HIS FAECAL& FETID ORAL ORIFICE TODAY with HIS AD HOMINEMS AND IGNORANCE

  25. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    by the way porgie, I know of every and I have said every research project cdrc has done over the years or is doing, a lot of the funding over the years come from govt. I am still asking what are th3 findings of uwi scientists in the over 40 years of its existence, how has its research particularly in the filed of science has impacted on the quality of life of its citizens.

    Further porgies, I am aware of all the work cdrc is doing like the stroke registty , where is the funding for that coming from, is it uwi coffers or govt.

    you jackass, I am in tune with one is happening in Barbados. I still maintain that uwi sat on its laurel and did very little to impact the quality of life in Barbados it has successfully mas produced graduates who can in some instances can hardly reason. Let your shite talk begin. I need no assistance in stating what I have to say.

  26. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    re am in tune with one is happening in Barbados too I CAN SEE THAT LOL
    re it has successfully mas produced graduates who can in some instances can hardly reason. I UNDERSTAND YOU WELL YOU SEMI ILLITERATE. lol
    RE I need no assistance in stating what I have to say. I CAN SEE THAT TOO BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR SAYING IS ZE PROBLEM Ah lie?

  27. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    David | September 15, 2014 at 4:55 PM |

    “What is Cave Hill doing about the land gifted to them by Edghill of Dukes plantation?”

    On Tuesday May 13, 2014, Pro-vice Chancellor and Principal of UWI Cave Hill Campus, Prof Sir Hillary Beckles, and Eric Reid, CEO of SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier [a Maryland, United States chocolate-producer], signed a memorandum of understanding, which paved the way for the construction of a chocolate producing plant by SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier, on the land at Dukes Plantation, St Thomas and the training of individuals at UWI from the Caribbean cocoa producing islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago, to produce high quality chocolate.

    According to Professor Leonard O’Garro, head of the UWI’s Centre for Food Security and Entrepreneurship under which the project falls, the idea behind the venture is to make Barbados the hub for such training and “the place where you can get the best high-end chocolates” in the world. The factory will be using Caribbean grown cocoa to produce its chocolate.

    O’Garro also said that the factory, which is part of a multimillion dollar project, is expected to be established within two years, and “should register on the GDP level and foreign direct investment and employment levels”.
    The UWI will not have shares in the factory but will benefit from a number of arrangements, including one governing use of its lands, profit-sharing and provision of a lot of the critical research and backup services needed to advance the programme.

    The training programme starts in August with 30 Caribbean nationals who aim to be chocolatiers.

    The university will be offering short-term training as well as longer courses, with the package including diploma and full degree programmes.
    O’Garro said the courses were also open to people from countries not producing cocoa, such as Barbados, once they were interested in becoming a chocolate producer.

  28. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    Artaxerxes

    Thanks! I hadn’t seen that before.

  29. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/editorial-reform-entire-education-system/#156890

  30. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Artaxerxes

    Thanks FOR ALL THIS NEW INFO
    BE CAREFUL SIR

    YOU WILL SOON GET BANNED FROM BU
    YOU ARE ACTUALLY POSTING PERTINENT INFORMATION—- VERY UNUSUAL HERE IN THE BU RUM SHOP

    ALSO YOU ARE CONTRADICTING HE WHO TINKS HE NOSE EVATING BOUT EVATING BUT ONLY SPEAKS IN HIGH SOUNDING GENERALITIES WITHOUT DETAILS BECAUSE HE KNOWS MUCH LESS THAN HE PRETENDS TO KNOW

    BUT CARRY ON SMARTLY SIR
    I AM ENJOYING YOUR POSTS

    .

  31. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    are-we-there-yet | September 15, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    Georgie Porgie | September 15, 2014 at 8:31 PM

    You are welcomed. I prefer to deal with facts than unsubstantiated, generalized statements.

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Since you are a fountain of info what about the accusation by the MoF that the UWI was misspending monies and inflating government’s financial obligation therefore refusal to pay the 200 million owed?

  33. Yesterday Avatar
    Yesterday

    The present crisis surrounding the requirement that persons attending the University of the West Indies should pay for their tuition is a cause for concern. Information released by the Cave Hill Campus of the University indicates a decline in registration of 28% in new and returning students.

    This situation not only creates serious problems for the University’s viability but it also has serious implications for the social and economic development of the nation.

    One accepts the ‘free’ education is costly but we should not abandon it in the name of expediency. The requirement that students pay for their University education runs the risk of denying higher education to a large number of persons, especially our young people, who have been told to aim for the highest. This situation has the potential for taking us back and will make higher education at University level a privilege to be enjoyed by the wealthy and will place the poor at a great disadvantage.

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @Yesterday

    Both the MoE and the Parliamentary Secretary assure that the problem will correct itself.

  35. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Yea, right, David.

    If you believe that, you could believe anything. My beef with the whole thing is the callous way in which it was done. Even the way in which this bursary or non bursary award is being handled.

    The bombastic minister thinks that he is being harassed. Really? He needs to resign………….he is the worst MOE ever!

    The UWI semester has begun, when does he intend to award the bursaries? In time for 2015? Even with a bursary, many students will not be able to find the balance of the money. So they will still be at square one. Has the minister forgotten how many people have lost their jobs due to the DLP’s wicked policies?

    Was there ever a plan to award any bursaries in the first place and when the minister opened his mouth and spouted out the BIG LIES, did he find himself in trouble as there was no money allocated for this purpose?

    Talk about monkeys handling guns!!!!!

  36. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    David | September 15, 2014 at 8:42 PM |

    “Since you are a fountain of info what about the accusation by the MoF that the UWI was misspending monies and inflating government’s financial obligation therefore refusal to pay the 200 million owed?”

    The information I provided was found on UWI’s web-sites and excerpts taken from newspaper articles. Unfortunately, that type of information you are requesting cannot be found on either the web-site I mentioned or in any newspaper article. So, you must ask Sinckler.

    We all know that this type of innuendo politics is Chris Sinckler’s style. According to the situation and in an effort to make himself look good, he is always making generalised political statements, which are not taken up by the media. For example:
    • I remember him saying he was informed by police that two men were planning to shoot him, and there was no follow-up by the media.
    • He told the country the reason behind the no bus fare policy on Transport Board buses for school children, was to combat the rising incidence of school children being ferried in and out of Barbados for reasons of prostitution. He held off the media by saying this revelation was a matter of national security.
    • When he was on Brass Tacks Sunday answering questions relative to the solid waste tax and solid waste plant, a woman asked him some very pertinent questions, which he was supposed to return the following week with the data. We are still waiting and no follow up by the media.
    • He bragged about the increase in revenue as a result of an increase in VAT to 17.5%, which led to a reduction in the deficit. A few weeks later, Moody’s down-graded Barbados……. the inability to control the continuing rising deficit being one of the reasons.
    • He boasted of the success of the MTFS and MTDFS, but the Central Bank Governor said otherwise.
    • On December 12, 2011, he told reporters he did not know anything about the eager 11, but during an interview in the Sunday December 18, 2011 edition of the Sunday Sun he acknowledged their existence.

    Sinckler and Auditor General Trotman lamented that UWI is not audited by the Auditor General. As such, the media should ask Sinckler how he came by the information that “UWI was misspending monies and inflating government’s financial obligation”.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    You are like an eel…lol

    Your second bullet is interesting because there is talk that reinstating the bus fare for school children, at lease after 9AM. Does it mean there is no longer a threat?

    The other point which your last comment raises is that the MoF promised Corey Layne some info when he did the sold waste program on VoB. Did he deliver?

  38. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    @David this article is interesting reading

    By Tennyson Joseph | Tue, September 16, 2014 – 12:00 AM

    With the termination of free tertiary education by the Government of Barbados, it was widely anticipated that the Faculty of Humanities at Cave Hill would have felt the harshest impact. Conditioned by the notion that only profession-driven degrees like law, medicine and accounting are useful, it was unlikely that a population new to paid education would have been eager to invest in subjects to which their anti-intellectual, dependent-capitalist societies have attached little value.

    The situation has not been helped by recent uninformed pronouncements by some prominent graduates of the Faculty of Humanities itself. For example, historian and former trade unionist Robert “Bobby” Morris, in his new role of wide-eyed convert to unbridled capitalism, has claimed that given “the stage of development Barbados has reached”, financing emphasis should be placed on the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) over the humanities.

    Whilst the value of science and technology is undeniable, what is interesting is that these anti-humanities sentiments go against current higher education hiring practices in the very leading capitalist societies which our slow Caribbean mimic-men idolise as their ideal models.

    It is now regular practice by the leading Fortune 500 companies to scout the top students in the classics and humanities, as opposed those who do MBAs or related areas. It has been discovered that it is in the students of the liberal arts that can be found the communication and critical thinking skills badly needed for producing innovative ideas and original responses, especially in a context of crisis and heightened competition. For proof, the naysayers can simply google “why top CEOs want employees with liberal arts degrees”.

    A recent follow-up study by Richard Arum and Josipa Roska to their book Academically Adrift, written four years ago, noted that “within the large population of college graduates, those who were poorly taught are paying an economic price. Because they didn’t acquire vital critical thinking skills, they’re less likely to get a job and more likely to lose the jobs they get than students who received a good education”.

    What is clear is that the Caribbean’s anti-humanities sentiments are part and parcel of the new dominance of neo-liberal doctrine in which assumed “market value” is now the measurement of the importance of everything. When translated to university education, these assumptions are reflected in obscene notions of “asses in classes” (backsides on benches) as the determinant of what the university should teach.

    When viewed in this way too, the folly of the elevation of polytechnics and community colleges as part of the wave of anti-University of the West Indies sentiment which has taken root in recent times, becomes crystal clear. We can train as many people to fix and build things as our business rulers would like, but who will think, guide, manage and lead the society?

    Remember, enslavement is letting someone think for you.

    • Tennyson Joseph is a political scientist at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, specializing in regional affairs.

  39. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    was uwi billing for students who were on leave?

    Remember asking whether uiw produces a balance sheet showing income stream> I would like to know how much money it receives from international students?

    I want to know if the faculty of medical science is a burden to the govt and jow much fx it is generating. The decision to introduce the faculty of medical science is a costly decision and professor fraser knows it was not ideal to do so, it is very burdensome to taxpayers. The poor medical students are now, in some instances having difficulty in finding places to complete their internship in the region with the glut of medical students,

  40. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    @prodical

    r u the said person that poisonously opposed to the restructuring of the drug service that spouted doom and gloom.

    Yes persons attending uwi will need help, those who can lease afford. From here onward they will have time to plan their educational needs.

    it is interesting that some of us will promote the borrowing of money, and yes by some poor families to send their kids to overseas universities, but don’t want to contribute to their local education. Don’t you think that it has impacted my family. Have you thought of making a contribution to ta uwi fund to assist those in need?

  41. overseasbajanyankee Avatar
    overseasbajanyankee

    @Georgie

    as I said to u early in the year with the professor bain issue u r a lonely man no wonder why u were forced out of the medical field in Barbados and had to run to where u r.

  42. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    David | September 15, 2014 at 9:54 PM |

    With so many “anti payment of UWI tuition fees sentiments”, don’t you think now is the right time for Sinckler to present proof of how “UWI was misspending monies and inflating government’s financial obligation”, to justify government’s refusal to pay the $200M?

    I have been advised to “continue with my stupid thinking” by one who asked “whether UWI produces a balance sheet showing income stream”. [please note: income stream is found on the income statement; a balance sheet is a quantitative listing of all assets, liabilities and equity account balances at a specific point in time].

    Let us “think stupidly” and analyse your question.

    The DLP never refuses an opportunity to gain cheap political points or put the party in an advantageous position.
    For example, former Transport Board employee Lisa Marshall is one of the thousands of former public sector employees who were terminated during the government’s retrenchment program.
    Lisa was given a voice on VOB’s Brass Tacks to express frustration on behalf of her and the thousands of ex-employees who are still awaiting severance payment approximately 6 months after being terminated.
    The next day, DLP yard fowl, Douglas, sought to do damage control and tarnish Lisa’s character, by posting information on BU, which suggested she had no right to severance in 2014, since she was accused of stealing $403.50 from TB in 2004.

    People have been using BU, the call-in-programs, letters to the press, formal and informal forums to express their dissatisfaction of the manner in which the payment of tuition fees policy was implemented. Let us assume the DLP has credible information pertaining to financial infelicities perpetrated by persons known (or unknown) at UWI.

    Now David, do you really believe that Douglas would have given up the opportunity in presenting such evidence to BU, especially when it is beneficial to restoring the DLP’s creditability on this issue, rather than the weak post “Who Offers Free Education Anyway”?

  43. overseasbajnyankee Avatar
    overseasbajnyankee

    I see mr know all has dodged the issue of the establishment of the school of medicine and its impact on the economic cost to Barbadians.

    was there a need to establish the faculty of medical science? was a proper study done to determine its viability and how many intl students are studying there

    The American medical schoo9l in silver Sands is attracting number of fx students and from speaking from some one who has left NJ to study the annual cost is BDS$ 100 000 that includes accommodation and living..

    The uwi, cavehill has been teaching management for a while, Implement some of the techniques to reduce some of its excessive administrative and look to systems strengthening to improve efficiency.

    is uwi required to produce audited financial statements. this should be requirement in light of the fact uwi receives massive funding from the tax payers. The ngos are required to show how the money was spent for continued financing.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Can’t find any fault with your deductive reasoning.

  45. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Rhi Rhi ent mek sport.

    http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/rihanna-cbs-sports-tnf

  46. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    overseasbajnyankee | September 16, 2014 at 10:52 AM |

    I will break my promise by responding to your contribution, just this one time.

    Apparently, the DEMS realized that all 5 or 6 ACs have been giving them weak representation on BU. Hence, they pulled you out of the wood work to give some sort of assistance. Unfortunately for DEM, you are just as weak as all the others.
    Your main mission here on BU is to defend DLP policy, the only difference is that you may be a little bit more articulate than those ACs.

    So far, you have not brought anything constructive or informative to this topic, nor have you brought any supporting evidence to substantiate what you posted.
    Instead [and in similar style of all the ACs], you have consistently engaged in presenting wild generalized, hear say, accusing statements and innuendo in your responses.This is characteristic of Democratic Labour Party supporters.

    Now, let’s cut the crap and get serious here. Please answer the following questions:

    • Can you inform or point BU to information that would educate us on the “issue of the establishment of the school of medicine and its impact on the economic cost to Barbadians”?
    • What evidence do you have to substantiate your claim that UWI was charging government tuition fees for students who were on leave?
    • Please inform us how much money UWI receives from international students?

    REMEMBER, it is YOU who have been making wild, generalized, unsubstantiated statements, therefore, the ONUS is on YOU to PROVIDE US with the answers.
    But in true DLP form, you will evade these questions by asking more wild questions, while asking us to provide the information on your behalf.

    You are just nuff froth and very little beer.

  47. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    For a person who claims to have graduated from UWI on two occasions, you have absolutely no knowledge of that institution. Instead, your presence on BU is to tarnish the reputation of UWI in an effort to support and justify the DLP’s decision in making students pay tuition fees.

    I graduated from UWI Cave Hill and UWI Mona, and as such, I have made it my business, as other proud graduates have done, to remain au fait with the university.

    It is unreasonable for us to think that government paying full tuition costs for students is a sustainable undertaking. However, my point will always be that the government went about the issue the wrong way. They were only concentrating on reducing the deficit and did not take other contingencies into consideration, before making their decision. All responses by government thereafter, were only “knee jerk” reactions to address legitimate concerns when they became a reality.

    We could juxtapose this UWI issue with LIAT.

    Barbados has been relentless in its support for LIAT and has never neglected in making its contribution to that airline. Bear in mind that St. Vincent, Antigua, Dominica and Barbados are the shareholders of LIAT, with Barbados being the main contributor.
    Essentially, Barbadian tax payers have been subsidizing operational costs and the airfare of people from non-contributing islands, such as Anguilla, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Santo Domingo, St. Croix, Trinidad, Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico. Yet, as a result, these islands reap significant benefits.

    LIAT has been recording losses for many years, therefore, Barbados has seen no long term (or short term) return from its investment. It is against this background that we must ask ourselves some pertinent questions:
    • How much foreign exchange does Barbados earn from visitors arriving from the non-contributing islands?
    • What are the percentage arrivals from these islands; do these are they enough passengers to support continual support by Barbadian tax payers?
    passengers make a significant contribution to our tourism product; how many of these passengers are here specifically for USA visa applications?
    • How much money does LIAT owe Grantley Adams International Airport?
    • Is it sustainable for Barbadian tax payers to support LIAT’s current operational model?
    • How much money does Barbados invest in LIAT as opposed to the other shareholders; are these shareholders current in their investment?
    • Barbadian tax payers continue to be disadvantaged by LIAT, especially since Antigua has been allowed to systematically transfer operations from Barbados to that island, thereby taking advantage of employment opportunities for their citizens and increased economic activity for Antigua.
    Then, would it not be best for government to invest in the education of Barbadians?

  48. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Given the contraction in the Barbados economy and the increase in laid off and unemployed workers…….

    Where are the graduating students going to find jobs?

  49. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    Artaxerxes | September 16, 2014 at 1:11 PM |
    Please kindly note that overseas bajan is really none other than Dompey
    Check the language

  50. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    GP; Yuh got that wrong.

    I am almost certain that Overseasbajanyankee is NOT dompey. The style is totally different and very recognizable to anyone who looks carefully. His disclosures about his attendance at UWI and work in Government on Tourism projects etc. also point to someone other than Dompey. The language is different. Dompey strings big words together in a somewhat chaotic manner. Overseas’ doesn’t, he switches from highly articulate and proper language to avant gard newspeak to bajan. Dompey doesn’t do that. Overseas is very intelligent. Dompey is different.

    The 3 styles that Overseas’ uses recurs on BU under different nom de plumes whenever the DLP appears to be under threat.

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