A partnership between The University of the West Indies and the private sector in the Caribbean can help deliver economic growth in Jamaica and other countries in the region. Addressing a Breakfast Forum hosted by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said that “in every sector, The UWI has the capacity, the science and technology required by the private sector to perform at the highest levels of efficiency and productivity.”
An industry/academia partnership is critical to moving the Jamaican and Caribbean economies into "full wealth creation mode", he declared. Referencing the vision of the Economic Growth Council (EGC) towards the achievement of 5% growth in Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Product within four years, he said that “there is no reason why Jamaica could not attain 5 in 4 though there are some social constraints that make it difficult. We must identify these and remove them to align to growth.”
(L-R) Hon. Michael Lee-Chin, O.J., Chairman of the Economic Growth Council (EGC)
greets Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies (UWI) and his colleagues Ambassador Richard Bernal, Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Affairs; Prof. Archibald McDonald, Principal, The UWI Mona and Prof. Dale Webber, Pro Vice-Chancellor Graduate Studies. Sir Hilary led The UWI team at a stakeholders meeting with the Economic Growth Council at Jamaica House on December 12, 2016. Outlining various innovations, new programmes and partnerships with international universities, Sir Hilary assured the EGC that “The UWI is fully on board with 5 in 4” the target set by the EGC of 5% growth in Gross Domestic Product in four years (2020). The EGC is a body appointed by Prime Minister The Hon. Andrew Holness in 2016 to consult widely and advise Cabinet on a collection of broad platform policies and reforms that would facilitate economic growth.
Pointing to the University’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022, Sir Hilary said that "the solution to the sluggish economies of the region is in the alignment of The UWI capabilities and private sector resources." In this regard, one of the initiatives being pursued by the University is the establishment of a series of technology parks in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago which will bring The UWI's expertise in the areas of science, technology and innovation to work with the private sector to test and develop products for commercialization and export.
This is part of a wider effort to partner with the private sector to find solutions to problems and apply innovation to industrial development. "Our graduates can become incubators for small and medium enterprises and The UWI will bring the science and technology, the private sector the capital and together we will forge economic growth", Sir Hilary declared.
