The University of the West Indies How better to capitalise on the resources and output of tertiary education to drive competitive growth in the English Speaking Caribbean E. Nigel Harris, MPhil, MD, DM, Vice-Chancellor
Questions for today s discussion What more should Universities be doing to expand competitive growth in the Caribbean? What is the role of the private sector, governments in linking with universities for economic/social development? For universities promoting research and innovation, how can their output be translated into commercial enterprises?
America is driven by innovation advances in ideas, products, and processes that create new industries and jobs, contribute to our nation s health and security, and support a high standard of living. In the past half-century, innovation itself has been increasingly driven by educated people and the knowledge they produce. Our nation s primary source of both new knowledge and graduates with advanced skills continues to be our research universities. Research Universities and the Future of America Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation s Prosperity and Security
Universities are important drivers of social and economic development: Workforce with knowledge and skills Sources of creative ideas that drive innovation and business growth Academics provide knowledge capital consulting services, presence on corporate boards, participate at conferences Universities attract intellectual resources from around the world (academics, students) Travelling academics garner knowledge to bring to their countries
The University of the West Indies Background information The UWI is the major regional university in the English speaking Caribbean, providing service to 15 countries across a million square miles of sea. From its inception in 1948, it has strived to be a full-service university.
The Full-Service University Provision of skilled human resources Innovative ideas - Research for Development Consultancy and Advisory services
The University of the West Indies Products 1948 to 2011 120,000 graduates with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees Graduates have gone on to play leading roles in governemmnts (17 Prime Minsiters) private sector, professions in nearly all 15 contributing countries Currently has 4 campuses Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Open Campus has sites in all 15 countries 1,500 to 2,000 academics, 60% with terminal (PhD, DM) degrees Current enrolment 47,000 Graduates annually: 8,000 9,000 students
Skilled Human Resources Graduation figures UWI: 8,000 9,000 annually Add this to the output from other national universities University of Technology Jamaica University of Belize University of Trinidad and Tobago Northern Caribbean University University of Guyana And those educationed by universities in North America, the UK and elsewhere It is likely that the English speaking Caribbean is producing about 17,000 18,000 persons annually with post secondary education (region of 5 million people) (15-20%) degrees.
Are we capitalizing on this bounty?
Unemployment Rates - Cave Hill (as at Jan 2011 for 2009 First Degree Graduates) 30.0% 28.6% 25.0% 22.2% 25.0% 25.0% 20.0% 18.8% 15.0% 14.2% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Education Humanities Medical Sciences Pure & Applied Sci Social Sciences Overall Data from Office of Planning and Development
Unemployment Rates Mona (as at Jan 2011 for 2009 First Degree graduates 25.6% 20.5% 18.2% 15.3% 5.6% 1.5% Education Humanities Med. Sci. Pure and Applied Sci. Social Sciences Overall Data from Office of Planning and Development
Unemployment Rates - St Augustine (as at Jan 2011 for 2009 First Degree graduates 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 21.3% 24.1% 22.6% 18.1% 17.3% 15.0% 10.0% 8.5% 9.8% 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Data from Office of Planning and Development
How do we ensure more of our students knowledge, skills are better utilised?
Attributes of UWI Graduates A critical and creative thinker A problem solver An effective communicator Knowledgeable and informed Competent A leader A team player IT skilled and information literate Socially and culturally responsive Ethical Innovative and entrepreneurial A lifelong, self-motivated learner
Can we prepare students so that they can become entrepreneurs?
One major approach has been for the universities to provide students with knowledge skills so that they themselves may be drivers of new businesses The UWI Business Schools The Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business (ALJGSB) Cave Hill School of Business (CHSB) The Mona School of Business (MSB)
Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business 1,024 students currently enrolled in post-graduate degree programmes: 71% have declared their intention to start a business within the next 3 years 23% are actually business owners. Three years ago, only 21% of students declared their intention to start business in the short term. Of a total of 3,745 graduates we estimate that about 9% have their own business based on a recent survey of a sample of 350 graduates.
Masters in Small and Medium Enterprise Management (ALJGSB) Programme started in January 2012, current enrolment: 95 students in 2 cohorts. Offered in hybrid format (on line and in site). Student Profile: Mainly business owners and relatives involved in the business. Main orientation: A professionalization program, where students learn the fundamentals of managing a business as well as concepts, frameworks and skills needed to make their business grow. Some of the courses offered: Introduction to Management Customer Relationship Management Managing the Family Business Growing the Business Operations and Supply Chain Management Expected Outcomes: Graduates capable of managing their business in a more efficient way, and with a clear strategy of how to make it grow in a predicable and sustainable way.
International Masters in Business Development and Innovation (ALJGSB)* Programme started in 2011, two cohorts, total of 49 students. Student Profile: Young professionals willing to change careers Main orientation: A transition program, where students learn how to leverage their professional experience to launch a new business with 3 particular characteristics: Innovation as a key component of the value proposition (product, process, business model, etc) Business with high impact in the society (high job creation potential, sustainability, high growth potential, etc) Starts from its inception as an international business venture Some of the courses offered: Strategic Foresight and Innovation Strategies for Technology-based new ventures Social Entrepreneurship Marketing for New and Growing Ventures Expected outcomes: Every student shall have a new business operating at the moment of graduation * Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business
Cave Hill Initiatives Designed to Foster Entrepreneurship Student Entrepreneurial Empowerment Development (SEED). BSc in Management with specialisation in Entrepreneurship (Department of Management Studies). MBA and Diploma in Entrepreneurship (Cave Hill School of Business). Student organisations are: The Cave Hill Entrepreneurship Society Cave Hill Association of Entrepreneurs and Thinkers Mona and Cave Hill campuses offering some of the same programmes
Programmes Designed to Foster Entrepreneurship Cave Hill School of Business Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Over the last five (5) years, initiatives developed intended to help entrepreneurs improve their capability to effectively manage and grow their businesses. INPYME Diagnostics 20 companies assessed, around 60 people provided with training in identified areas intended to help them in managing their businesses. FINPYME Export Marketing 18 participants trained in developing an export marketing plan. FINPYME Integrity and Ethics Programme (Approximately 40 participants trained and engaged in a coaching process intended to help companies with the process of developing ethics codes)
Programmes Designed to Foster Entrepreneurship Cave Hill School of Business Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship IADB Funded Comprehensive Portal for Small and Medium Enterprises Project funding the development of an online portal intended to help small and medium enterprises owners either with registering or developing their businesses. This project also provided training for approximately 45 participants to date. USAID Funded Job Opportunities for Business Scale Up (JOBS) Project Project intended to build the capability of the University in designing and delivering programmes in entrepreneurship. Approximately 50 people trained thus far. 10 Faculty members have engaged in training and capacity building activities between the period March 2011 and June 2012)
MBA Programmes at Mona MBA PROGRAMME AT THE MONA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Business in a Global Environment New Ventures and Entrepreneurship International Business Management International Marketing and Export Strategy International Monetary Economics and Finance International Human Resource Management Master in Business Management (MBM) The MBM is a degree designed specifically for students who want to pursue a Masters degree in a full-time programme, and who are interested in entrepreneurship activities or in gaining some directed work experience.
Mona School of Business Graduates who have started their own businesses Denise Dallas, Natalie Cowell and Shereeda Smith, started a business called Elite Business Solutions. http://www.facebook.com/pages/elite-business- Solutions/178460502177481 Marcus James Access Financial * Douglas Lindo Bellindo Limited * Juliet Moss-Solomon House of Bags * Adele Brown Agricultural exports * Debbie Morrel-Parker inventory management company * *We believe these graduates began businesses either before or during the programme
In what ways can UWI/national universities provide value: Innovation (David Rampersad) Advisory & Consulting Services
Advisory and Consulting services provided by the UWI Advisory and consulting services are provided by several units at the UWI, e.g.: UWI Consulting Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies Schools of Business at Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine Institute for Sustainable Development Institute for Criminal Justice and Security Institute for Gender and Development Studies
Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Principals Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles Cave Hill Campus Prof. Hazel Simmons- McDonald Open Campus Prof. Gordon Shirley Mona Campus Prof. Clement Sankat St. Augustine Campus
Pro Vice Chancellors Professor Wayne Hunte PVC Research Professor Alvin Wint PVC Undergraduate Studies Professor Ronald Young PVC Graduate Studies Professor Andrew Downes PVC Planning & Development
Conclusion What more should Universities be doing to expand competitive growth in the Caribbean? What is the role of the private sector, governments in linking with universities for economic/social development? For universities promoting research and innovation, how can their output be translated into commercial enterprises?