Chancellor bats for UWI in maiden address

Newly installed Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Dr Dodridge Miller, has strongly defended the institution in his inaugural address.

At his installation ceremony on Saturday, Dr Miller did not shun away from responding to criticisms of the institution related to claims of ‘outdated methods of teaching’ and failure to adequately equip graduates to meet the demands of a modern, competitive society.

He said while some of these concerns may be valid, the fact that the university remains globally celebrated for the excellence of its research and has highly regarded academic programmes could not be overlooked.

“It is evident that a disconnect exists between UWI’s remarkable achievements and the public’s perception of the institution. To the extent that these concerns have merit, I urge both the public and private sectors to engage meaning fully with the university, as their collaboration is vital for identifying and addressing these challenges.

Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams, was among the many officials in attendance.

“UWI has educated the majority of our region’s leaders, executives, public servants, and workforce. It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to safeguard the standards that the region rightfully deserves.”

Symbolic robing of Dr Miller by heads of the regional UWI guild.

The chancellor made sure to address the issue of regionalism, stating that Caribbean citizens have a duty to champion and support institutions, like The UWI, that are indispensable pillars of society.

He stressed, “When these institutions falter or do not meet expectations, our focus should be on rebuilding and strengthening them, rather than indulging in criticism or attempting to devalue their significance. Furthermore, we must resist the temptation to prioritise national interests over regional unity when assessing them.”

Turning attention to the financial obligations of regional governments to the institution, he urged leaders to view these allocations as strategic investments in the region’s long-term well-being rather than an expenditure.

Additionally, he made a direct appeal to private sector companies for increased support of graduate students.

According to the chancellor, while The UWI’s funding model is centred around undergraduate teaching, opportunities for significant change across the region will likely come from graduate research, which largely goes unfunded.

Dr Miller assumed the role of chancellor last year, though he was officially installed on Saturday. (BT)