St. Kitts Leg of UVI President’s Visit Sets Positive Tone

President Hall and PM Douglas strengthen ties

President Hall with UVI Dir. of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs Linda Smith and UVI Special Assistant to the President Dr. Haldane Davies

CFBC Lecturer Hugh Heyliger, Dr. Davies, Dr. Hall and Ms. Smith and students listen to Vice President Stapleton Harris

CFBC students listen to President Hall

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 30, 2012 (SKNIS): University of the Virgin Islands President Dr. David Hall has noted that his visit to St. Kitts and Nevis, has been going very well, thus far.

He disclosed this sentiment to the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service while visiting the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) where he met with President Dr. Hermia Morton-Anthony, Vice President Delores Stapleton-Harris and scores of CFBC students. Dr. Hall noted that the meetings were very productive. Issues pertaining to course offerings, the cost of the university, hi-tech campus facilities and dorms as well as the encouragement of face to face interchanges between UVI staff and students were discussed with the prospective UVI students. The revelation of a newly commenced entrepreneurship course and competition that provides seed money to begin one’s own business, particularly animated the students.

Other meetings with key education officials included those with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mrs. Ionie Liburd-Willett and Director of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Sarah Owen. The meeting with Alumnus, Minister of Tourism Honourable Richard Skerritt was a highlight.

Dr. Hall also took the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas where matters pertaining to strengthening the ties between the University and the Federation were discussed. Ensuring the affordability of university education was also tabled.

At a Press Conference previously entertained at Government Headquarters, Dr. Hall informed the media representatives that his university had charted a course to become a global leader in education which would mean upgrading and expanding in particular areas such as green technology as well as distance learning capabilities. Dr. Hall cited goals of the university as including the expansion of the mentioned entrepreneurship course, and the engineering school as well as the establishment of a medical school. He also revealed that as of Spring 2012 the number of Kittitians and Nevisians attending UVI was 35 or 36, he emphasized that the figures would have changed since the start of the Fall 2012 courses.

The day’s activity concluded with an informal meeting of resident UVI Alumni who welcomed his visit which is expected to invigorate the former College of the Virgin Islands (CVI) and UVI graduates and possibly stimulate more regular and structured activities.

Nevis is next on Dr. Hall’s journey and he is expected to meet with Premier Honorable Joseph Parry, the Minister of Education and officials as well as the Principal and students of the Sixth Form.