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SELECT DOCUMENTS<br />
UWI <strong>in</strong> Barbados, 1963-1968<br />
Compiled, edited and with a foreword by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Hilary Beckles
H.R.H. Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice, Countess <strong>of</strong> Athlone<br />
Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies
CONTENTS<br />
2 FOREWORD<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Hilary Beckles<br />
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal, Cave Hill Campus<br />
5 VICE CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS<br />
Harbour Site, Bridgetown<br />
12th October, 1963<br />
Dr. Philip M. Sherlock<br />
Vice-Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
15 INAUGURAL ADDRESS<br />
12th October, 1963<br />
Honourable J. Cameron Tudor<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education, Barbados<br />
30 CAVE HILL CAMPUS Selected Images<br />
35 CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS<br />
Harbour Site, Bridgetown<br />
13th March, 1964<br />
H.R.H. Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice<br />
Countess <strong>of</strong> Athlone<br />
39 MINISTER’S ADDRESS<br />
Lay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Foundation Stone, Cave Hill Campus<br />
26th January, 1966<br />
Honourable J. Cameron Tudor<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education, Barbados<br />
47 GRADUATION ADDRESS<br />
Cave Hill Campus<br />
6th February, 1968<br />
Rt. Hon. Errol Walton Barrow<br />
Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Barbados
FOREWORD<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Hilary Beckles,<br />
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal, Cave Hill Campus<br />
Mov<strong>in</strong>g beyond its network <strong>of</strong> extra-mural centres, <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies extended its reach <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> community<br />
<strong>of</strong> Barbados and <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean with <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong><br />
a College <strong>of</strong> Arts and Science. Opened on Saturday, October 12,<br />
1963, at <strong>the</strong> Deep Water Harbour, Bridgetown, <strong>the</strong> latest enterprise<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UWI took on board a mere 118 students. <strong>The</strong> project was<br />
placed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> care, for <strong>the</strong> first year, <strong>of</strong> Act<strong>in</strong>g Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal Mr. Leslie<br />
R.B. Rob<strong>in</strong>son, MA, <strong>the</strong> talented young Jamaican ma<strong>the</strong>matician<br />
who had established a reputation for sound management at <strong>the</strong><br />
Mona campus.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>est m<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region were mobilized to<br />
give shape and form to this eruption <strong>in</strong> capacity build<strong>in</strong>g. Vice-<br />
Chancellor Sir Arthur Lewis had bequea<strong>the</strong>d to his successor Sir<br />
Philip Sherlock, a strategic plan for university expansion <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Eastern Caribbean. Lewis was committed to Barbados as a prime<br />
and proper location follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> St. August<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Campus <strong>in</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad <strong>in</strong> 1962. Premier Errol Barrow <strong>of</strong> Barbados, an<br />
admirer <strong>of</strong> both Lewis and Sherlock, was keen to fashion with <strong>the</strong><br />
help <strong>of</strong> UWI a critical component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> education revolution he<br />
prepared to unleash, and took personal responsibility for advanc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> Lewis <strong>in</strong>itiative.<br />
Barrow placed <strong>in</strong> charge his loyal and dependable Deputy<br />
Premier and M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>tellectually astute<br />
Cameron Tudor. <strong>The</strong> project team, now led by Vice-Chancellor<br />
Sherlock, could only but succeed. Brilliant, passionate, and focused,<br />
<strong>the</strong>se architects <strong>of</strong> Caribbean educational transformation went about<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir task like missionaries impatient <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> future imag<strong>in</strong>ed. <strong>The</strong>
egional university was at its best with this test <strong>of</strong> its commitment to<br />
community development. It did not disappo<strong>in</strong>t.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>, Her Royal Highness, Pr<strong>in</strong>cess<br />
Alice, Countess <strong>of</strong> Athlone, made an <strong>in</strong>spection visit to <strong>the</strong> college<br />
<strong>in</strong> its temporary build<strong>in</strong>gs at <strong>the</strong> Harbour on Friday March 13, 1964,<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g a meet<strong>in</strong>g at Mona <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> Council. Her blessed<br />
journey to <strong>the</strong> dusty site <strong>of</strong> an academy <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g was <strong>more</strong> than<br />
an act <strong>of</strong> validation. It constituted a sem<strong>in</strong>al moment <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> history<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> regional university, and <strong>in</strong> particular a transformational<br />
development <strong>in</strong> higher education <strong>in</strong> Barbados, and <strong>the</strong> W<strong>in</strong>dward<br />
and Leeward Islands.<br />
<strong>The</strong> persistent oversight and presence <strong>of</strong> Dr. Eric Williams, Pro-<br />
Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>, provided <strong>in</strong>tellectual validation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
project. His conceptualization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> college spoke to<br />
<strong>the</strong> energy with<strong>in</strong> UWI as <strong>the</strong> development eng<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region.<br />
<strong>The</strong> lay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> corner stone for <strong>the</strong> college at its permanent<br />
residence at Cave Hill took place on January 26, 1966. In 1970<br />
when <strong>the</strong> regional Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law was placed on <strong>the</strong>se premises<br />
<strong>the</strong> college evolved <strong>in</strong>to its present form – <strong>The</strong> Cave Hill Campus<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies. Its journey represented a<br />
spectacular process <strong>in</strong> regional <strong>in</strong>stitution build<strong>in</strong>g and national<br />
resource mobilization. Start<strong>in</strong>g with an Extra-Mural Studies Unit,<br />
and mov<strong>in</strong>g on to a Liberal Arts College, <strong>the</strong> UWI f<strong>in</strong>ally bir<strong>the</strong>d a<br />
f<strong>in</strong>e progeny, a fully fledged campus <strong>in</strong> Barbados.<br />
It is fitt<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>refore, fifty years later, that <strong>the</strong> university present<br />
for purposes <strong>of</strong> reflection a selection <strong>of</strong> key addresses delivered at<br />
<strong>the</strong> college <strong>in</strong> its first five years. <strong>The</strong>y capture so precisely <strong>the</strong> spirit<br />
<strong>of</strong> enterprise and sacrifice that <strong>in</strong>formed <strong>the</strong> effort to drive our<br />
societies away from <strong>the</strong>ir colonial scaffold through an <strong>in</strong>vestment<br />
<strong>in</strong> higher education. Critically, <strong>the</strong>y capture <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> publicly<br />
funded university education as a reparatory ‘politic’, a discourse<br />
that problematized legacies <strong>of</strong> imperial exploitation and imag<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir place states <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tellectual freedom and citizenship.
<strong>The</strong> found<strong>in</strong>g architects <strong>of</strong> education did not retreat from <strong>the</strong><br />
magnificent moment so pregnant with movements <strong>of</strong> liberation.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y harnessed <strong>the</strong> energy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tide, and crafted a campus which<br />
<strong>the</strong>y <strong>in</strong>vested with a remit to be <strong>the</strong> soul and salvation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean.<br />
Vice-Chancellor Sherlock spoke <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> soulful tone <strong>of</strong> unrestricted<br />
truth, while Chancellor Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice laid bare <strong>the</strong> expectation that<br />
Caribbean people would seize <strong>the</strong>ir dest<strong>in</strong>y and push forward an<br />
“enlightened development’. M<strong>in</strong>ister Tudor, unmatched <strong>in</strong> oratorical<br />
skill, set forth <strong>the</strong> case for a university campus dist<strong>in</strong>guished for its<br />
<strong>in</strong>tellectual maturity, research relevance, and moral commitment to<br />
community. <strong>The</strong>se articulations have stood <strong>the</strong> test <strong>of</strong> time; <strong>the</strong>y<br />
belong to discourses still press<strong>in</strong>g upon <strong>the</strong> present. Taken from<br />
our archives, <strong>the</strong>se documents return to us like commandments<br />
for academic craft<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a turbulent, disturb<strong>in</strong>g, distort<strong>in</strong>g present.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are as relevant today as <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>the</strong>n.<br />
<strong>The</strong> truth <strong>of</strong> this relevance is found <strong>in</strong> its clearest form <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
graduation address delivered by Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister Errol Barrow at <strong>the</strong><br />
College <strong>of</strong> Arts and Science at Cave Hill on February 6, 1968. It<br />
was <strong>the</strong> first occasion on which <strong>the</strong> Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister addressed a full<br />
ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> university stakeholders at Cave Hill. His message was<br />
clear: <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>, he urged, must stand with <strong>the</strong> people, and for<br />
<strong>the</strong> people. It should use its resources with <strong>the</strong> greatest prudence, and<br />
be an example <strong>of</strong> commitment and concern <strong>in</strong> difficult and generous<br />
times. In this way, he said, <strong>the</strong> host community would develop a<br />
“settled conviction” that <strong>the</strong> “efficient growth” <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> campus was<br />
critical to its well be<strong>in</strong>g. In fact, he said, <strong>the</strong> community would come<br />
to realize that <strong>the</strong> campus was <strong>the</strong>ir “PATH TO PROSPERITY”.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se historic documents, <strong>the</strong>n, belong to <strong>the</strong> present and to<br />
<strong>the</strong> future. <strong>The</strong>y ought to be read and digested by all <strong>in</strong>vested with<br />
care for <strong>the</strong> regional university, and by all with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> academy whose<br />
responsibility it is to protect and nurture this grand enterprise <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Indies.
UNIVERSITY<br />
OF THE WEST INDIES<br />
CAVE HILL, BARBADOS, W.I.<br />
ON OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE<br />
College Of Arts & Science<br />
<strong>The</strong> Vice-Chancellor’s Address<br />
Dr. Philip M. Sherlock<br />
Vice-Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
Twelfth <strong>of</strong> October One Thousand N<strong>in</strong>e Hundred and Sixty-three<br />
(1963)
THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS<br />
Speech by Dr. Philip M. Sherlock, Vice-Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>, on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong><br />
Arts and Science, Barbados, on 12th October, 1963;<br />
Your Excellency, Hon. Premier, Hon. Chief M<strong>in</strong>ister, My Lord Bishop,<br />
Hon. M<strong>in</strong>isters, Ladies and Gentlemen.<br />
On Thursday even<strong>in</strong>g I left a meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Senate at Mona<br />
to come to Barbados for this ceremony. And just before tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>of</strong>f as it were from one stratosphere to ano<strong>the</strong>r, I was asked<br />
by <strong>the</strong> Senate to convey <strong>the</strong>ir greet<strong>in</strong>gs and best wishes to this<br />
ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g, to you, Mr. Premier; to you Mr. Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal; and to <strong>the</strong><br />
new College. This is a part and a most valued-part <strong>of</strong> a great<br />
enterprise.<br />
I would like to beg<strong>in</strong> by say<strong>in</strong>g that I jo<strong>in</strong> with <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipal,<br />
Mr. Rob<strong>in</strong>son, <strong>in</strong> record<strong>in</strong>g our s<strong>in</strong>cere thanks to all those who<br />
have made this ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g possible and who, <strong>in</strong> fact, have made it<br />
possible for us to beg<strong>in</strong> this programme. It was only <strong>in</strong> February<br />
that <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> Council decided that teach<strong>in</strong>g should beg<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> Barbados this year, and so we were work<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st time. But<br />
you, Mr. Premier, and your Government have been most generous<br />
<strong>in</strong> your support, and we thank you. We thank also all those who<br />
have contributed <strong>in</strong> every way to <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> this programme.<br />
We owe so much to so many. And I th<strong>in</strong>k not only <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present<br />
and not only <strong>of</strong> those here, but <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foundations which are<br />
<strong>of</strong> such assistance to us, great philanthropic foundations like<br />
<strong>the</strong> Nuffield, <strong>the</strong> Ford, which have been abundantly generous,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Carnegie Foundation (one <strong>of</strong> our earliest friends) and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Rockefeller Foundation. And it is a particular pleasure to<br />
me tonight to express our thanks also, not only to <strong>the</strong>se great<br />
foundations, but to <strong>the</strong> foundation which, <strong>in</strong> a peculiar way, is a<br />
part <strong>of</strong> us — <strong>the</strong> American Foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
West Indies, <strong>the</strong> Chairman <strong>of</strong> which is Mr. Ronald Tree who is<br />
happily with us this even<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
I th<strong>in</strong>k also <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> services rendered to us by<br />
two Council members <strong>in</strong> particular who came from this region.<br />
I refer to Sir Grantley Adams, and also to Sir Garnet Gordon.<br />
And I th<strong>in</strong>k that at this time <strong>the</strong>y must, both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, rejoice<br />
at <strong>the</strong> developments which have taken place. As <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal<br />
po<strong>in</strong>ted out tonight, and as <strong>the</strong> Pro-Vice-Chancellor emphasized<br />
at <strong>the</strong> great ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g which was recently held <strong>in</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad at<br />
St. August<strong>in</strong>e, <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies has embarked<br />
on a programme <strong>of</strong> expansion, br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> courses for <strong>the</strong><br />
new General Degree <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean — <strong>in</strong>to this<br />
community, <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> community <strong>in</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad, and, we hope, <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g measure, <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r island communities. At <strong>the</strong><br />
conference which was recently held <strong>in</strong> Antigua, for <strong>in</strong>stance,<br />
plans were made for streng<strong>the</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> extension work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>, <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> Resident Tutors available<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> eight territories, and beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g a new programme <strong>of</strong><br />
teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Public Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hope that this will be<br />
<strong>of</strong> special assistance to <strong>the</strong>se governments.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is, also, <strong>the</strong> work which is <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> capable hands <strong>of</strong> Dr.<br />
O’Loughl<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong> beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a programme <strong>of</strong> economic studies,<br />
and an expert service <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> economic development<br />
which already has won <strong>the</strong> appreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> governments <strong>of</strong><br />
this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caribbean.<br />
And <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> itself has, <strong>in</strong>deed, made radical changes<br />
<strong>in</strong> its policies. In 1948, how well I remember it, thirty-two<br />
students <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir scarlet gowns for <strong>the</strong> first time entered upon <strong>the</strong><br />
study <strong>of</strong> medic<strong>in</strong>e. That was <strong>in</strong> October 1948. And now, this<br />
October, <strong>the</strong>re are two thousand students <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> West Indies, just over a hundred here enrolled <strong>in</strong> Barbados,<br />
some five hundred at St. August<strong>in</strong>e, and ano<strong>the</strong>r fourteen or<br />
fifteen hundred at Mona. And <strong>the</strong> growth has not been only <strong>in</strong>
numbers, but <strong>in</strong> someth<strong>in</strong>g that is, to <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Senate, supremely important, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> actual content and<br />
organization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>; for, once a strong centre had<br />
been established — a centre which, through <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong><br />
universities overseas and particularly <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> London,<br />
had won respect <strong>in</strong> all academic quarters everywhere — once<br />
this strong centre had been established under <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong><br />
my predecessor, Sir Arthur Lewis, and our Pro-Chancellor Dr.<br />
Eric Williams, changes were made which brought <strong>the</strong> facilities<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> here to Barbados and to Tr<strong>in</strong>idad and, <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g measure, to <strong>the</strong> island communities. It is not only<br />
a change <strong>in</strong> organization, someth<strong>in</strong>g that goes deeper, I th<strong>in</strong>k,<br />
a change <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> content <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> General Degree. And it was<br />
this that our Pro-Chancellor was particularly concerned with,<br />
and about which he spoke, when he came to Barbados earlier<br />
this year. <strong>The</strong> fact that we now require, and I th<strong>in</strong>k rightly and<br />
wisely, that we now require that all undergraduates enter<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
<strong>the</strong> General Degrees should take courses <strong>in</strong> Caribbean studies.<br />
This is <strong>more</strong> than tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. Education is a much bigger th<strong>in</strong>g<br />
than tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. And education beg<strong>in</strong>s on one’s doorstep. And for<br />
too long education at university level <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies has been<br />
centred elsewhere and has, <strong>in</strong>deed, proved sometimes to be a<br />
divisive force <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> community. I th<strong>in</strong>k every teacher will know<br />
what I mean, that sometimes <strong>the</strong> man who gets <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
for university education does well <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> academic sense, but<br />
<strong>in</strong> strange and subtle ways grows away from his community<br />
and ceases really to belong to it as a citizen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caribbean.<br />
And at this time, particularly, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> this region it is<br />
supremely important that <strong>the</strong> young student, <strong>the</strong> young West<br />
Indian student should not only study his biology <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> tropical<br />
environment which is his, should not only study his medic<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> environment which enables him to see <strong>the</strong> effects and causes<br />
<strong>of</strong> diseases <strong>in</strong> this region, but should also take his general studies<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> history and <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> this West
Indian society and also <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caribbean region <strong>of</strong> which we<br />
form a part.<br />
Today, <strong>in</strong> some places, local <strong>in</strong>sularities and local nationalisms<br />
are quite understandably on <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease, and <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>,<br />
<strong>the</strong>refore, becomes one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important unify<strong>in</strong>g forces<br />
<strong>in</strong> a region that, throughout its history has been bedeviled<br />
by divisions and fragmentation and by <strong>the</strong> frustrations that<br />
flow from <strong>the</strong>m. And this community <strong>of</strong> three million people,<br />
scattered <strong>in</strong> this fantastic way over great distances, has common<br />
traditions and a common history. We all began <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same way,<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r we be <strong>of</strong> European or African or East Indian stock,<br />
we began <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same way, as uprooted people brought across<br />
<strong>the</strong> ocean and mak<strong>in</strong>g a home for <strong>the</strong>mselves. But for so long<br />
our education never enabled us to see that this was our home,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> true purpose <strong>of</strong> our <strong>in</strong>sistence on Caribbean studies<br />
is to make certa<strong>in</strong> that our university education itself shall be<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>digenous, someth<strong>in</strong>g that at <strong>the</strong> same time belongs<br />
<strong>in</strong> a particular way to this community and yet is never parochial,<br />
but is conscious <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> universality <strong>of</strong> scholarship and knowledge.<br />
This is our purpose. This is our task. So that <strong>the</strong> West Indian may<br />
be at home <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies.<br />
This really is <strong>the</strong> purpose for which we exist. And at this<br />
particular time <strong>in</strong> our history it is go<strong>in</strong>g to be difficult for all <strong>of</strong><br />
us. Jamaica is now an <strong>in</strong>dependent nation fac<strong>in</strong>g many serious,<br />
difficult problems. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m economic, some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m social,<br />
and discover<strong>in</strong>g with every day that political <strong>in</strong>dependence is<br />
not an escape from difficulty, is not an escape from reality, is no<br />
miracle that suddenly transforms <strong>the</strong> world; that <strong>in</strong>dependence<br />
confronts <strong>the</strong> Jamaican today with <strong>the</strong> gravest and most serious<br />
problem <strong>in</strong> his country’s history. That people <strong>of</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad and<br />
Tobago are f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g that this is true. For this is <strong>the</strong> mean<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>dependence — LEARNING TO STAND ON ONE’S FEET,<br />
LEARNING TO DRAW ON LEADERSHIP FROM WITHIN
ONE’S COMMUN1TY, learn<strong>in</strong>g to use resources, however<br />
limited, for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> all, seek<strong>in</strong>g help, seek<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fellowship elsewhere but carry<strong>in</strong>g always this terrible and urgent<br />
responsibility <strong>of</strong> tomorrow. And you <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean<br />
are on <strong>the</strong> threshold <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dependence and face <strong>the</strong> same tasks.<br />
And tonight, if you will allow me to do so, because this is<br />
someth<strong>in</strong>g that concerns me most deeply, and this is why I put<br />
such faith <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies: at this particular<br />
time, it is well for us to understand that we have <strong>in</strong> fact no escape<br />
from <strong>the</strong> responsibilities <strong>of</strong> nationhood and <strong>in</strong>dependence, and<br />
that <strong>the</strong> remedies and our own security lie <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and<br />
<strong>the</strong> discipl<strong>in</strong>e and <strong>the</strong> devotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indian people…..<br />
not <strong>in</strong> grants-<strong>in</strong>-aid from elsewhere, not <strong>in</strong> foreign aid however<br />
generous, but WITHIN <strong>the</strong> West Indian community. So that this<br />
<strong>University</strong>, <strong>in</strong> a special way, has a task additional to <strong>the</strong> traditional<br />
tasks <strong>of</strong> research and teach<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>escapable and <strong>the</strong> urgent<br />
task <strong>of</strong> help<strong>in</strong>g, or perform<strong>in</strong>g its own special duty, not only <strong>of</strong><br />
tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g young men and women through <strong>the</strong> discipl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
m<strong>in</strong>d, and discipl<strong>in</strong>e is today unfortunately an unpopular word,<br />
but believe me our future depends on <strong>the</strong> extent to which we<br />
are prepared to impose a discipl<strong>in</strong>e upon ourselves; and <strong>the</strong>se<br />
students who tonight enter upon this course, for <strong>the</strong> first time,<br />
become a part <strong>of</strong> a grow<strong>in</strong>g student community which will f<strong>in</strong>d<br />
<strong>in</strong> study, and <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d, some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>struments<br />
that <strong>the</strong> West Indies needs, that <strong>the</strong> West Indies must have, if it<br />
is to survive.<br />
Barbados, <strong>in</strong> fact, has one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most remarkable arguments<br />
for education. I am conv<strong>in</strong>ced that it is because <strong>of</strong> your long<br />
tradition <strong>of</strong> education, because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> value that you put upon<br />
it, because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> money that you are prepared to spend upon it,<br />
because you have <strong>the</strong> most comprehensive system <strong>of</strong> education<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies and hardly any illiteracy — because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs you can support a population <strong>of</strong> thirteen hundred to <strong>the</strong><br />
10
square mile and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a standard <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g which many a<br />
larger and <strong>more</strong> powerful nation would wish to have.<br />
What we are concerned with is no charity. It is no form <strong>of</strong><br />
welfare. It is someth<strong>in</strong>g — an <strong>in</strong>tegral and essential part <strong>of</strong> our<br />
society and <strong>the</strong> only guarantee <strong>of</strong> its security and stability.<br />
I looked at <strong>the</strong> map, <strong>the</strong> map <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caribbean, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
day. I got no comfort from it when I looked at <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dependent<br />
islands. Cuba which won its <strong>in</strong>dependence with great heroism<br />
and through <strong>the</strong> struggle and devotion <strong>of</strong> that great man Marti,<br />
throw<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>f one dictatorship to pass under ano<strong>the</strong>r. Haiti, <strong>the</strong><br />
first country <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> New World <strong>in</strong> which <strong>the</strong> coloured man, <strong>the</strong><br />
African, won his liberty by his own effort, with its splendid history<br />
and its memorable Toussa<strong>in</strong>t, today groan<strong>in</strong>g under <strong>the</strong> shabby<br />
dictatorship <strong>of</strong> Duvalier. <strong>The</strong> Dom<strong>in</strong>ican Republic which seemed<br />
only a few months ago to have moved from a dictatorship and<br />
ruthless tyranny to stability, still uncerta<strong>in</strong>, still try<strong>in</strong>g to f<strong>in</strong>d its<br />
way. This region, this great arc that stretches from Venezuela to<br />
Florida, like so many parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world today, is pass<strong>in</strong>g through<br />
a period <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ound change. Believe me, <strong>the</strong> values that belong<br />
to us, <strong>the</strong> freedoms that we cherish could be <strong>in</strong> danger. Why<br />
should we be spared <strong>the</strong> travail <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r lands? <strong>The</strong>se th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
will be preserved only <strong>in</strong>s<strong>of</strong>ar as you and I now set ourselves and<br />
dedicate ourselves to <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong> ensur<strong>in</strong>g West Indian stability<br />
and <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> life which is ours, <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> life which we wish<br />
for our children. So, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> we are not only grappl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with <strong>the</strong> fundamental tasks <strong>of</strong> research but are, like you and<br />
your government, Mr. Premier, engaged upon <strong>the</strong> most urgent<br />
task that has ever faced <strong>the</strong> West Indian people <strong>in</strong> its history;<br />
and it is <strong>in</strong>deed a task that faces, not only us, but Mank<strong>in</strong>d. For<br />
what is happen<strong>in</strong>g? We have passed <strong>in</strong>to a new age. <strong>The</strong> Space<br />
Age is not to come, it is here. And we have at one and <strong>the</strong> same<br />
time, <strong>in</strong> this middle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Twentieth Century, Mank<strong>in</strong>d with its<br />
<strong>in</strong>credible mastery over technical knowledge and science, and<br />
11
at <strong>the</strong> same time <strong>the</strong> uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty <strong>in</strong> its heart about <strong>the</strong> equality<br />
<strong>of</strong> men and women…<strong>the</strong> two crucial, central problems <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Twentieth Century here <strong>in</strong> Barbados, and <strong>in</strong> our beloved islands,<br />
and on <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong>land, and throughout <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong><br />
human relationships, <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> heart and man’s mastery<br />
over technical knowledge. And <strong>in</strong> clos<strong>in</strong>g let me try to put what<br />
I am try<strong>in</strong>g to say <strong>in</strong>to a parable. Because this is <strong>the</strong> choice that<br />
confronts us and it is, to my m<strong>in</strong>d, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>escapable role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies to contribute to <strong>the</strong> West Indies, not<br />
only men and women who are tra<strong>in</strong>ed accord<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> highest<br />
standards, but men and women who dedicate <strong>the</strong>mselves to <strong>the</strong><br />
build<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> West Indian society. This is <strong>the</strong> challenge which <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers to you who enter its gates this even<strong>in</strong>g, a solemn<br />
and a difficult and a hard challenge, but <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> challenge<br />
that makes men and women, and makes societies….Let me tell<br />
you, let me try to illustrate what I mean:<br />
Some two years ago <strong>the</strong> United States put its first man <strong>in</strong>to<br />
space. It was one autumn, and we read <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> how <strong>the</strong><br />
scientists had imprisoned a man <strong>in</strong> a t<strong>in</strong>y capsule and shot him<br />
out <strong>in</strong>to space and kept him <strong>the</strong>re. And I marvel at <strong>the</strong> courage<br />
<strong>of</strong> that man. I wouldn’t have rema<strong>in</strong>ed alive if anybody had tried<br />
to do that to me. I would have dissolved <strong>in</strong>to a jelly with fright.<br />
A tremendous act <strong>of</strong> courage and faith…..he was <strong>the</strong>re alone<br />
circl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> world at this <strong>in</strong>credible speed. Alone, alone <strong>in</strong> space.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first men <strong>in</strong> space. Alone? No not alone. Because<br />
he was upheld by <strong>the</strong> labours and <strong>the</strong> scientific endeavours <strong>of</strong><br />
hundreds and thousands <strong>of</strong> men, men and women and <strong>the</strong> long<br />
experience and <strong>the</strong> search <strong>of</strong> countless scientists. <strong>The</strong>y put<br />
him <strong>the</strong>re. <strong>The</strong>y kept him <strong>the</strong>re. <strong>The</strong>y brought him back. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
spoke to him and he spoke to <strong>the</strong>m. Alone and yet supported by<br />
this great army, a demonstration <strong>of</strong> man’s grow<strong>in</strong>g mastery over<br />
material th<strong>in</strong>gs, man’s grow<strong>in</strong>g mastery over material th<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
At that very same time that autumn, a young man, he had been<br />
12
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> American army, sought admission to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Mississippi, James Meredith, a coloured man. He was alone. He<br />
could read on <strong>the</strong> faces <strong>of</strong> those who barred his way contempt,<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir eyes disgust, on <strong>the</strong>ir lips curses. He had taken this upon<br />
himself. In that moment he became, not only <strong>the</strong> American Negro<br />
seek<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> citizenship that were his, he symbolized<br />
<strong>the</strong> aspirations and <strong>the</strong> desires <strong>of</strong> every m<strong>in</strong>ority group <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world, Jew or Gentile, Black or White. This is <strong>the</strong> splendour <strong>of</strong><br />
what he did. It was <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual <strong>in</strong>carnat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> himself <strong>in</strong> that<br />
moment man’s <strong>in</strong>sistence upon equality, freedom and <strong>the</strong> right<br />
to knowledge. Did I say alone? Not alone. For it was <strong>the</strong> glory <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> United States that <strong>the</strong> Federal Government, itself, founded<br />
on <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> equality, stood by him and said to <strong>the</strong> State:<br />
“<strong>The</strong>se th<strong>in</strong>gs shall not be.” Alone <strong>in</strong> one sense, yes! And yet <strong>in</strong><br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r, upheld not only by <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Federal Government,<br />
but by <strong>the</strong> thoughts and prayers <strong>of</strong> men and women who seek<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rhood throughout <strong>the</strong> world. Here is <strong>the</strong> demonstration,<br />
<strong>the</strong> dilemma <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Twentieth Century which exists here <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
West Indies, <strong>the</strong> urgent task <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g our knowledge and<br />
mastery over material th<strong>in</strong>gs, and at <strong>the</strong> same time <strong>of</strong> carry<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r that destruction <strong>of</strong> prejudice which once marked our<br />
society. And, if this West Indies has anyth<strong>in</strong>g to contribute to <strong>the</strong><br />
world <strong>of</strong> today, surely it is <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> human fellowship and<br />
equality at this particular time.<br />
And this doesn’t mean <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> one barrier <strong>in</strong> order<br />
to set up ano<strong>the</strong>r. Turn to that most mov<strong>in</strong>g book by James<br />
Baldw<strong>in</strong> — <strong>The</strong> Fire Next Time — <strong>in</strong> which he pleads with such<br />
power and force and eloquence for an understand<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong><br />
problem <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American coloured people is a problem not <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Negro, but <strong>of</strong> humanity, and that it would be a betrayal <strong>of</strong><br />
that to remove, shall we say, one prejudice <strong>of</strong> white aga<strong>in</strong>st black<br />
for ano<strong>the</strong>r prejudice <strong>of</strong> black aga<strong>in</strong>st white. We are engaged<br />
with someth<strong>in</strong>g much larger, someth<strong>in</strong>g that is a challenge to<br />
13
<strong>the</strong> manhood and courage <strong>of</strong> all West Indians: to make safe<br />
<strong>the</strong> values <strong>in</strong> which we believe, to protect <strong>the</strong> liberties won with<br />
blood <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> past. And this can be done. O<strong>the</strong>r people have<br />
done it, but <strong>the</strong>y have first recognized <strong>the</strong> task and <strong>the</strong> demand<br />
upon <strong>the</strong>m. And this is <strong>the</strong> task which <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> after much<br />
question<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> itself, has set itself to perform, <strong>the</strong> pursuit <strong>of</strong><br />
knowledge, carry<strong>in</strong>g out faithfully <strong>the</strong> works <strong>of</strong> scholarship, but<br />
all <strong>of</strong> it with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> social sett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs, <strong>the</strong> urgent needs <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> West Indies. And I am confident that <strong>the</strong> students will help<br />
us to build this new society.<br />
“Meth<strong>in</strong>ks I see <strong>in</strong> my m<strong>in</strong>d a mighty and puissant nation<br />
rous<strong>in</strong>g herself like a strong man after sleep, and shak<strong>in</strong>g her<br />
<strong>in</strong>v<strong>in</strong>cible locks. Meth<strong>in</strong>ks I see her mewl<strong>in</strong>g her mighty youth<br />
like <strong>the</strong> eagle and gaz<strong>in</strong>g with undazzled eyes at <strong>the</strong> full noonday<br />
beam.”<br />
This is <strong>the</strong> prophetic quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vision, <strong>the</strong> confidence <strong>in</strong><br />
humanity, <strong>the</strong> confidence <strong>in</strong> his fellow men which moved Milton,<br />
which moved L<strong>in</strong>coln even <strong>in</strong> times <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> darkest doubt, which<br />
carried Wash<strong>in</strong>gton and his scarecrow army through <strong>the</strong> travail<br />
<strong>of</strong> Valley Forge and w<strong>in</strong>ter. <strong>The</strong>se are our heritage, <strong>the</strong> heritage<br />
<strong>of</strong> all free men. And so it is a great honour and pleasure and<br />
privilege to welcome you, and to try to expla<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se critical days, to ask for your prayers, to ask for<br />
your confidence and, let us, above all, go forward <strong>in</strong> confidence<br />
and <strong>in</strong> strength to <strong>the</strong> task which awaits us.<br />
It is my honour to ask <strong>the</strong> Premier <strong>of</strong> Barbados to declare<br />
<strong>the</strong> College open, and after that <strong>the</strong> Hon. J. C. Tudor, M<strong>in</strong>ister<br />
<strong>of</strong> Education, Member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
West Indies, will address us.<br />
14
UNIVERSITY<br />
OF THE WEST INDIES<br />
CAVE HILL, BARBADOS, W.I.<br />
ON OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Arts & Science<br />
Inaugural Address<br />
Honourable J. Cameron Tudor<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
Twelfth <strong>of</strong> October One Thousand N<strong>in</strong>e Hundred and Sixty-three<br />
(1963)<br />
15
THE MINISTER’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS<br />
Inaugural dissertation by <strong>the</strong> Honourable J. Cameron<br />
Tudor, M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education, on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Arts and Science, Barbados, on<br />
12th October, 1963.<br />
A LIBERAL EDUCATION IN A<br />
TECHNOCRATIC AGE<br />
Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal, Your<br />
Excellency, Mr. Premier, Members <strong>of</strong> Council and Senate, Undergraduates,<br />
Mr. President, Mr. Dean, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen:<br />
I am deeply honoured to have been asked by <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> to<br />
deliver <strong>the</strong> Inaugural dissertation on this outstand<strong>in</strong>g occasion.<br />
Yet, I fear that I cannot do full justice — or, <strong>in</strong>deed, justice at<br />
all — to <strong>the</strong> importance which this occasion truly merits. I had<br />
keenly looked forward, as I am sure we all did, to <strong>the</strong> pleasure and<br />
privilege <strong>of</strong> hear<strong>in</strong>g our very dist<strong>in</strong>guished Pro-Chancellor this<br />
even<strong>in</strong>g. Many months ago, I had extended a warm <strong>in</strong>vitation to<br />
him to be present on this occasion, and to address <strong>the</strong> company.<br />
He readily accepted, and had himself expected to be here.<br />
<strong>The</strong> irruption <strong>of</strong> nature which has left much personal and<br />
material tragedy <strong>in</strong> Tobago as elsewhere — has alone <strong>in</strong>hibited<br />
his freedom <strong>of</strong> choice, s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> discharge <strong>of</strong> his public duty to<br />
<strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad and Tobago must, naturally, be his first<br />
concern. And I am sure that this company well understands <strong>the</strong><br />
reason for his unavoidable absence, and would wish to regret,<br />
not merely his absence, but <strong>the</strong> unfortunate occurrence which<br />
had produced it. And I am also sure that we all wish <strong>the</strong> people<br />
<strong>of</strong> Tobago a speedy recovery from this crippl<strong>in</strong>g blow.<br />
Had he been here, he would have delighted and enriched<br />
16
us all by his massive scholarship, his <strong>in</strong>cisive eloquence, and his<br />
clear sh<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g discernment. He would have communicated to us<br />
not a little <strong>of</strong> that vision <strong>of</strong> West Indian greatness which he sees<br />
so steadily and so well, and for which he labours so untir<strong>in</strong>gly. I<br />
would not hope to lose <strong>the</strong> gap created by his absence.<br />
Yet I well understand that this sort <strong>of</strong> occasion calls for some<br />
exercise <strong>in</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>al th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g and, <strong>in</strong>deed, some appropriate<br />
expenditure <strong>of</strong> erudition, extravagant or even lavish, as <strong>the</strong> case<br />
may be. Only a week ago, a very dist<strong>in</strong>guished audience <strong>in</strong> British<br />
Guiana had <strong>the</strong> rare privilege, on an occasion similar <strong>in</strong> form,<br />
though perhaps not <strong>in</strong> content, to this one, <strong>of</strong> hear<strong>in</strong>g Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Lancelot Hogben, <strong>the</strong> Vice-Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Guyana on <strong>the</strong> important <strong>the</strong>me <strong>of</strong> “A <strong>University</strong> <strong>in</strong> a chang<strong>in</strong>g<br />
society”.<br />
Dr. Hogben brought to bear that enormous scholarship, for<br />
which he is rightly famous, on his <strong>the</strong>me and expounded to his<br />
hearers a four-dimensional Marxist view <strong>of</strong> Higher Education<br />
<strong>in</strong> a multi-racial society, Start<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong> Great A<strong>the</strong>nian schools<br />
associated with Plato and Aristotle, he skirted past <strong>the</strong> Christian<br />
Fa<strong>the</strong>rs, browsed happily at <strong>the</strong> Islamic cultures, dug Ptolemy <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
ribs, picked a fierce quarrel with St. Thomas Aqu<strong>in</strong>as, overturned<br />
<strong>the</strong> Middle Ages, patronized <strong>the</strong> Protestant Reformation, paid his<br />
respects to Marx and returned to Georgetown via <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Cambridge. I enjoyed it immensely and would certa<strong>in</strong>ly have<br />
enjoyed it <strong>more</strong>, had I been able to understand it. I fear that I<br />
can promise this company no such treat. Not be<strong>in</strong>g a genius, I<br />
must content myself with be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>telligible.<br />
I propose to speak to <strong>the</strong> undergraduates tonight on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me<br />
“A Liberal Education for a Technocratic Age”. I have chosen<br />
this subject because it seems to me that <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> higher<br />
education for a community emerg<strong>in</strong>g from colonialism is at once<br />
a logical necessity and a calculated risk. That it is a necessity is<br />
obvious, s<strong>in</strong>ce an emergent society must soon acquire a national<br />
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identity. This, I must warn you, has noth<strong>in</strong>g to do with patriotism.<br />
<strong>The</strong> A<strong>the</strong>nians <strong>of</strong> Pericles’ day yielded to none <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir love <strong>of</strong><br />
country. But <strong>the</strong>re was noth<strong>in</strong>g sordid or chauv<strong>in</strong>istic about this<br />
love <strong>of</strong> country. <strong>The</strong>y loved A<strong>the</strong>ns for what she was, and not<br />
because she was A<strong>the</strong>ns, a mere geographical expression. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
national identity expressed itself <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>in</strong>tellectual curiosity,<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir fair-m<strong>in</strong>dedness, <strong>the</strong>ir taste for experiment and, above<br />
all, <strong>the</strong>ir freedom <strong>of</strong> thought. Let us hear how Pericles himself<br />
described this national identity.<br />
“And not only <strong>in</strong> Politics” he says, “are we open m<strong>in</strong>ded.”<br />
“Without a trace <strong>of</strong> jealously we tolerate eccentricities <strong>of</strong> every<br />
k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r’s daily lives. We have no objection to our<br />
neighbor follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> bent <strong>of</strong> his humour, nor do we scowl at<br />
him however harmless that maybe…and this is why I declare<br />
that A<strong>the</strong>ns is <strong>the</strong> School mistress <strong>of</strong> Greece”.<br />
So it would seem, to me at any rate, that a national identity<br />
is that set <strong>of</strong> values appropriated by a people as a means <strong>of</strong> its<br />
own self-expression, and fur<strong>the</strong>r it seems that this self-expression<br />
is best nourished and buttressed by <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g provision <strong>of</strong><br />
Higher Education. I do not argue that a people cannot possess<br />
a national identity without <strong>the</strong> facilities <strong>of</strong> Higher Education.<br />
Contemporary History is for too replete with examples to <strong>the</strong><br />
contrary. I do <strong>in</strong>sist, however, that Education, and Education <strong>of</strong><br />
a certa<strong>in</strong> range and quality, can alone nourish and susta<strong>in</strong> those<br />
values which make for a worthwhile national identity.<br />
I said that <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> Higher Education was also a<br />
calculated risk. This is not so obvious. Education – at any level<br />
– is so valuable a th<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> it – <strong>in</strong> a quantity<br />
– receives universal acclaim. What is seldom noticed, however, is<br />
that those who are most enthusiastic about provid<strong>in</strong>g it, damage<br />
its scope, sometimes irreparably, because <strong>the</strong>y choose to ignore<br />
what I consider is <strong>the</strong> most fundamental and abid<strong>in</strong>g truth about<br />
Education. This truth is really <strong>in</strong> two parts. <strong>The</strong> first part is that<br />
18
you will study a subject with <strong>more</strong> awareness <strong>of</strong> its value if you<br />
know a little <strong>of</strong> its subject matter than if you don’t. This much<br />
should be obvious.<br />
But <strong>the</strong> second part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> truth is much <strong>more</strong> serious, and<br />
it is <strong>the</strong> ignor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> this part which <strong>in</strong>volves <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> which<br />
I speak. <strong>The</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>ciple to be enunciated is, quite simply, this:<br />
That is not advantageous to study <strong>the</strong>ory without <strong>the</strong> practical<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact to which it relates. Now you will have no<br />
trouble apply<strong>in</strong>g this pr<strong>in</strong>ciple to <strong>the</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> doctors, lawyers,<br />
or <strong>of</strong> eng<strong>in</strong>eers or <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ologians. With <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>ory and practice<br />
comm<strong>in</strong>gle. But you will experience some difficulty <strong>in</strong> apply<strong>in</strong>g<br />
it to <strong>the</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> musicians and ma<strong>the</strong>maticians. And for this<br />
reason. <strong>The</strong>re are some <strong>in</strong>tellectual discipl<strong>in</strong>es which cannot be<br />
mastered without direct experience, and <strong>the</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>rs which<br />
require only <strong>in</strong>ner apprehension.<br />
Now none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se discipl<strong>in</strong>es or branches <strong>of</strong> study is <strong>more</strong><br />
important than <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r. But some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m may be studies with a<br />
total unawareness <strong>of</strong> practical issues. And, <strong>the</strong>refore, when I said<br />
that <strong>in</strong> an emergent society <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> Higher Education is<br />
sometimes a calculated risk, I merely meant that a th<strong>in</strong>g, good <strong>in</strong><br />
itself, can become useless if <strong>the</strong>re is a divorce between learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and liv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
This is now <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t at which I can usefully def<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong> terms<br />
I used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> subject matter <strong>of</strong> my address. First, as to a Liberal<br />
Education. <strong>The</strong> term “liberal” had, <strong>in</strong> this sense, a sociological<br />
dist<strong>in</strong>ction called from <strong>the</strong> political arrangements <strong>of</strong> Ancient<br />
Greek Society. I shall, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> discussion, give it a<br />
much wider content but, for <strong>the</strong> moment, it will suffice to accept<br />
<strong>the</strong> concept with Aristotle imparted.<br />
Ancient Greek Society was somewhat like <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
United States <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> period before <strong>the</strong> Civil War. Slavery was an<br />
established socioeconomic pattern and, as <strong>in</strong> Alabama or Georgia<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1850’s so <strong>in</strong> A<strong>the</strong>ns <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 5th Century B.C. <strong>The</strong> economy<br />
19
<strong>of</strong> A<strong>the</strong>ns was parasitic <strong>in</strong> that it was nearly entirely dependent<br />
upon tribute from o<strong>the</strong>r states, tribute levied <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>of</strong><br />
A<strong>the</strong>nian supremacy. Internally, <strong>the</strong> A<strong>the</strong>nians depended on a<br />
vast army <strong>of</strong> slaves to till <strong>the</strong> soil, run <strong>the</strong>ir households and,<br />
generally, to spare <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> necessity <strong>of</strong> hav<strong>in</strong>g to work.<br />
Relieved <strong>of</strong> this necessity, A<strong>the</strong>nians were <strong>the</strong>refore able, that<br />
is, “free”, to enjoy to <strong>the</strong> full all those cultural and <strong>in</strong>tellectual<br />
pursuits associated with <strong>the</strong>ir fame. <strong>The</strong>y wrote, produced and<br />
enjoyed excellent dramas, <strong>the</strong>y had exquisite sculpture and<br />
architecture, and <strong>the</strong>y had all <strong>the</strong> time <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world for political<br />
discussion and artistic appreciation. By contrast, s<strong>in</strong>ce as Aristotle<br />
contended, a slave was not a person, it followed that no such<br />
consideration could be given to <strong>the</strong> education <strong>of</strong> slaves. And<br />
just as <strong>the</strong> great plantation houses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> South were centres <strong>of</strong><br />
graceful and dignified liv<strong>in</strong>g, supported by slavery, so too was <strong>the</strong><br />
A<strong>the</strong>nian Household released for culture by <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitution <strong>of</strong><br />
slavery. And when <strong>the</strong>y spoke <strong>of</strong> Liberal Education, <strong>the</strong>y meant<br />
<strong>the</strong> education <strong>of</strong> a free man as dist<strong>in</strong>ct from <strong>the</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a<br />
slave.<br />
This k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> education was, <strong>of</strong> course, humanistic. It was<br />
based, at least <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> school which Plato managed, on literature,<br />
music, ma<strong>the</strong>matics, rhetoric – by this <strong>the</strong>y meant not oratory<br />
by composition – ma<strong>the</strong>matics, philosophy by which <strong>the</strong>y meant<br />
logic – and athletics. This was, for <strong>the</strong>ir purposes, an extremely<br />
wide curriculum, and it produced some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most <strong>in</strong>cisive<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> that or any age. However, it is <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g to note<br />
that while this sort <strong>of</strong> education held sway <strong>in</strong> Greece for some<br />
centuries, <strong>in</strong> Rome <strong>the</strong>re was radically different development.<br />
Roman education was largely what we now call vocational s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
<strong>the</strong> exigencies <strong>of</strong> conquer<strong>in</strong>g and hold<strong>in</strong>g a large empire forced<br />
<strong>the</strong>m to tra<strong>in</strong> an enormous number <strong>of</strong> lawyers, adm<strong>in</strong>istrators,<br />
agriculturalist, mechanics, caterers, eng<strong>in</strong>eers and economists.<br />
In short, while Greek education was liberal, Roman Education<br />
was technocratic.<br />
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This br<strong>in</strong>gs me to my second def<strong>in</strong>ition. You will see that I<br />
am exam<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a certa<strong>in</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> education <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> a<br />
society at a certa<strong>in</strong> stage <strong>of</strong> its development. You will also note<br />
that I speak <strong>of</strong> a technocratic society and not <strong>of</strong> a technological<br />
one. I have done this deliberately, because I s<strong>in</strong>cerely doubt that<br />
<strong>the</strong> present age <strong>in</strong> which we live is a technological one. I hold<br />
that it is technocratic.<br />
Now it is quite easy <strong>in</strong> a dissertation <strong>of</strong> this sort to yield<br />
to <strong>the</strong> temptation <strong>of</strong> splitt<strong>in</strong>g hairs. But I hope, confidently, to<br />
escape that change which, if true, would render me censurable<br />
for <strong>in</strong>tellectual dishonesty. As I understand it, and I concede that<br />
I may well be wrong, technology is a <strong>the</strong>oretical knowledge <strong>of</strong><br />
Industry and <strong>the</strong> Industrial Arts. I am will<strong>in</strong>g to grant that <strong>the</strong> best<br />
dictionaries may turn out to be “contradictionaries”. But I have<br />
never been able to understand technology except as a <strong>the</strong>oretical<br />
application <strong>of</strong> science to <strong>the</strong> Arts. It has always seemed to me<br />
that it is a m<strong>in</strong>or branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sciences <strong>of</strong> ethnology and that<br />
it treats only with <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> arts from <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>of</strong><br />
view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory alone.<br />
Technocracy is, undoubtedly, a different matter. As I<br />
understand it – and aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> dictionaries may outflank me – a<br />
technocracy would be, or perhaps is, any society motivated – <strong>in</strong><br />
vary<strong>in</strong>g degrees by <strong>the</strong> practical application <strong>of</strong> science to <strong>the</strong><br />
problems <strong>of</strong> contemporary life. I would go fur<strong>the</strong>r, I would say<br />
that any community, whe<strong>the</strong>r it be a great <strong>in</strong>dustrial entity, or<br />
a merely pastoral community, like Outer Mongolia, is entitled<br />
to be called a technocracy if its life is motivated – no matter to<br />
what extent – by experts, however few or however <strong>in</strong>adequately<br />
tra<strong>in</strong>ed, whose bus<strong>in</strong>ess it is to evaluate or <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong>dustrial and<br />
agricultural output <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> energy factors, whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>se be<br />
capital or labour.<br />
Now if this, or <strong>in</strong>deed any part <strong>of</strong> it is true, it is clear that <strong>the</strong><br />
greater portion <strong>of</strong> this globe is <strong>in</strong>habited by technocrats, s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>in</strong><br />
21
nearly every country <strong>the</strong>re is some level <strong>of</strong> development go<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on through <strong>the</strong> practical application <strong>of</strong> skills and techniques <strong>in</strong><br />
every field. In o<strong>the</strong>r words, to speak nowadays <strong>of</strong> technology is<br />
to talk as if men were still dream<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> what might be and not at<br />
all re-fashion<strong>in</strong>g what was. And although <strong>the</strong>re is, here and <strong>the</strong>re,<br />
still some <strong>the</strong>oriz<strong>in</strong>g, as <strong>the</strong>re must always be, <strong>the</strong> startl<strong>in</strong>g fact<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>s that from Ch<strong>in</strong>a to Peru communities are reap<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
benefits, <strong>in</strong> greater or lesser degrees, <strong>of</strong> organized experiments;<br />
and, I submit, it is an organized experiment which separates fact<br />
from fancy. It follows, <strong>the</strong>refore, that <strong>the</strong> age <strong>in</strong> which we live is<br />
a technocratic one, that it has ceased be<strong>in</strong>g purely technological,<br />
and that all our concepts <strong>of</strong> Higher Education will have to be<br />
re-exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> light <strong>of</strong> this fact.<br />
For if <strong>the</strong> application <strong>of</strong> Science to life, especially economic<br />
life, were only <strong>the</strong>oretical <strong>in</strong> its range, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re would be a<br />
need for greater and <strong>more</strong> <strong>in</strong>tensive specialisation. Naturally so,<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> search for this k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> truth requires a larger number <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>orists us<strong>in</strong>g several approaches. But when once we grasp <strong>the</strong><br />
essentials <strong>of</strong> applied science and <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> its application to<br />
human well be<strong>in</strong>g we need, not <strong>in</strong>deed to tra<strong>in</strong> fewer specialists,<br />
but to turn our budd<strong>in</strong>g specialists <strong>in</strong>to generalist, if I may so<br />
use <strong>the</strong> term as well. And for this very important reason; when<br />
scientific motivation was only <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>oretical stage, when,<br />
that is, we were only, all <strong>of</strong> us, technologists, grop<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong><br />
method <strong>of</strong> press<strong>in</strong>g science <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> service <strong>of</strong> skills, <strong>the</strong>re was<br />
no danger, or at any rate no serious danger <strong>of</strong> blow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> world<br />
up. But now that we are technocrats, or now that a few <strong>of</strong> us<br />
are exceptional technocrats, that possibility is ever present. Now<br />
<strong>the</strong> real danger <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a technocratic age is this – Unless<br />
<strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> specialist education which produces <strong>the</strong> technocrat<br />
is amplified by o<strong>the</strong>r th<strong>in</strong>gs, he is bound, by <strong>the</strong> very nature<br />
<strong>of</strong> th<strong>in</strong>gs, to develop an excessive admiration for, and an<br />
immoderate worship <strong>of</strong>, techniques, gadgets and mach<strong>in</strong>ery. But<br />
22
this is only to say that technocracy divorced from Humanism<br />
soon becomes technolatry – worship <strong>of</strong> skills and mach<strong>in</strong>es for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir own sakes.<br />
Fanciful, you say? Well <strong>the</strong>n, what is <strong>the</strong> Test Ban Treaty but<br />
<strong>the</strong> recognition <strong>of</strong> this truth – After all, when two great Powers<br />
challenge each o<strong>the</strong>r, implicitly by <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> military<br />
budgets, and explicitly by global confrontation, to see who<br />
can produce <strong>more</strong> annihilation, what will one call that if not<br />
<strong>in</strong>ord<strong>in</strong>ate gadgetry? Happily <strong>the</strong>re seems to be some awareness<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> unruly nature <strong>of</strong> technocracy.<br />
Of course, underdeveloped countries and regions have some<br />
distance to travel before <strong>the</strong>y reach <strong>the</strong> stage where <strong>the</strong> world<br />
will ‘trace <strong>the</strong> days’ disaster <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g face’, for nei<strong>the</strong>r by<br />
<strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir resources, nor by <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir skills<br />
can <strong>the</strong>y enter that particular race. But <strong>the</strong>y are yet technocrats<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own sphere s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong>y accept and, where <strong>the</strong>y can, apply,<br />
<strong>the</strong> scientific method to <strong>the</strong>ir problems.<br />
For example, I would call a society technocratic long before<br />
it could split an atom, if it used a scientific method <strong>of</strong> evaluat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
its own problems. If, for <strong>in</strong>stance, it could arrive at an appraisal<br />
<strong>of</strong> its rate <strong>of</strong> population growth, <strong>the</strong> productivity <strong>of</strong> its land, <strong>the</strong><br />
per capita <strong>in</strong>come <strong>of</strong> its population and so on, with a tolerable<br />
degree <strong>of</strong> accuracy. And I would be so justified because <strong>the</strong><br />
very m<strong>in</strong>imum a technocratic society must have is <strong>the</strong> scientific<br />
method <strong>of</strong> f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> truth by observation and analysis.<br />
So I would be <strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ed to place West Indian Society with<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> technocratic r<strong>in</strong>g, although it does not yet possess those<br />
massive signs <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial achievement to be found <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
places. For it does, justifiably, boast <strong>of</strong> ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>more</strong> than <strong>the</strong><br />
bare m<strong>in</strong>imum which I thought would establish its claim to be<br />
a technocracy. And we can now proceed to discover <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong><br />
Liberal Education, required by our technocracy at this stage <strong>of</strong><br />
its matur<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
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Now we must not be led away here by mere hot house visions<br />
<strong>of</strong> creat<strong>in</strong>g an exclusive oligarchy <strong>of</strong> talent. Nor need we be taken<br />
<strong>in</strong> by all <strong>the</strong> enticements <strong>of</strong> Mr. Harold Wilson’s meritocracy. All<br />
we ask for is that West Indian Society should produce as large<br />
a number as it can <strong>of</strong> vigorous, creative and dedicated m<strong>in</strong>ds,<br />
capable <strong>of</strong> envisag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> pattern <strong>of</strong> a new order and <strong>in</strong> all sorts<br />
<strong>of</strong> spheres work<strong>in</strong>g for it and <strong>in</strong>fluenc<strong>in</strong>g its growth. This, as<br />
I see it, is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chief tasks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West<br />
Indies and, <strong>more</strong> still, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se colleges.<br />
<strong>The</strong> problems <strong>of</strong> social organisation, <strong>of</strong> economic viability,<br />
<strong>of</strong> preserv<strong>in</strong>g free <strong>in</strong>stitutions, have now become so technical<br />
that <strong>the</strong>re will be <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> future, little place for <strong>the</strong> untra<strong>in</strong>ed and<br />
<strong>the</strong> ill-equipped. It is clear that <strong>the</strong> employment, on a massive<br />
scale, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> technician, <strong>the</strong> scientist, <strong>the</strong> sociologist, is clearly<br />
called for. It is also clear that, at least <strong>in</strong> a democratic society,<br />
that <strong>the</strong>se must come down all grades <strong>of</strong> society. But it must<br />
be remembered that <strong>the</strong> untra<strong>in</strong>ed and <strong>the</strong> ill-equipped are still<br />
persons, and are not to be pushed around merely because <strong>the</strong>y<br />
cannot extract <strong>the</strong> square root <strong>of</strong> three without misgiv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
H. G. Wells <strong>in</strong> one <strong>of</strong> his brilliant diagnoses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth<br />
century, put it ra<strong>the</strong>r this way. “For any revolutionary movement to<br />
succeed”, he says, “<strong>the</strong>re must be this care <strong>of</strong> special <strong>in</strong>telligence<br />
<strong>of</strong> enlightened fanatics, so to speak, whose m<strong>in</strong>ds are liberated<br />
enough to imag<strong>in</strong>e a new social order. And it is no good <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
pretend<strong>in</strong>g to be anyth<strong>in</strong>g but what <strong>the</strong>y are”. Now this is heady<br />
w<strong>in</strong>e, and should be taken only on prescription. What Wells<br />
may not have grasped is that this elite can, nowadays, be nearly<br />
everybody, or at least <strong>more</strong> than a few, thanks to all those media<br />
<strong>of</strong> sound and vision without which <strong>the</strong> education <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> masses<br />
cannot proceed. Still <strong>the</strong>re will be <strong>the</strong> hard core <strong>of</strong> specialists,<br />
which every society needs, and which undeveloped societies need<br />
<strong>more</strong> than most.<br />
To devise a liberal education for societies <strong>of</strong> this complexity<br />
24
is no easy task: It is far from easy because undeveloped societies<br />
are, <strong>in</strong> part, <strong>the</strong> consequence <strong>of</strong> a lack <strong>of</strong> education facilities.<br />
It follows that emergent societies are forced to move, <strong>in</strong> all<br />
directions simultaneously, if <strong>the</strong>y are to catch up with, not<br />
to speak <strong>of</strong> overtak<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>more</strong> favoured neighbours. And if<br />
this is true <strong>of</strong> most emergent societies, it is doubly true <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
West Indies.<br />
West Indian Society starts <strong>of</strong>f with <strong>the</strong> consideration that<br />
it is a derived society, produced by that historical irruption<br />
which started with <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> Discovery which, <strong>in</strong> turn, was<br />
followed by that confrontation <strong>of</strong> rival imperialisms <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> l6th<br />
Century. This, <strong>in</strong> its turn led to <strong>the</strong> urge to repair <strong>the</strong> sagg<strong>in</strong>g<br />
economies <strong>of</strong> Western Europe with unlimited quantities <strong>of</strong> gold<br />
and silver front <strong>the</strong> New World. Moreover, <strong>the</strong> breakup <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
mediaeval patterns <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational Trade <strong>in</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Europe<br />
and <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mediterranean drew <strong>the</strong> coasts <strong>of</strong> Western Africa<br />
<strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> fray, and this was to have momentous consequences <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> establishment and ma<strong>in</strong>tenance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Slave Trade. This, <strong>in</strong><br />
brief, is <strong>the</strong> orig<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> West Indian Society.<br />
But that is not <strong>the</strong> whole story. For <strong>the</strong> historical current,<br />
flow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> one direction, produced a set <strong>of</strong> grave consequences,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> ebb<strong>in</strong>g tide left some even graver ones. <strong>The</strong> emergence<br />
<strong>of</strong> Great Brita<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> early n<strong>in</strong>eteenth Century as an Industrial<br />
Power, far ahead <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>in</strong> productive techniques and<br />
application, coupled with her unchallenged supremacy at sea,<br />
shattered <strong>the</strong> mercantile system, broke <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Slave<br />
Trade and bequea<strong>the</strong>d to West Indian Society a legacy <strong>of</strong> poverty,<br />
frustration and ignorance. And it is only now that our society is<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to reconstruct itself.<br />
An important po<strong>in</strong>t immediately arises. If a Liberal education<br />
is <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> education most suited to free men, and fur<strong>the</strong>r, if<br />
we aim at spread<strong>in</strong>g freedom, what is <strong>the</strong> context which we must<br />
give to <strong>the</strong> term liberal? I do no pretend to grasp <strong>more</strong> than<br />
25
<strong>the</strong> merest fraction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vast problem, but it may help you to<br />
see what <strong>the</strong> entire problem is if I rem<strong>in</strong>d you <strong>of</strong> what Aldous<br />
Huxley says <strong>in</strong> his novel “Ends and Means”.<br />
Huxley is here concerned with try<strong>in</strong>g to reta<strong>in</strong> human values<br />
<strong>in</strong>tact amid <strong>the</strong> surg<strong>in</strong>g pressures and demands <strong>of</strong> technocracy.<br />
He wants to discover <strong>the</strong> best way <strong>of</strong> vary<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual’s<br />
labours so as to elim<strong>in</strong>ate boredom, and he wonders how <strong>the</strong><br />
technician or <strong>the</strong> craftsman will be able to multiply his educative<br />
contacts with o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>dividuals work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> responsive selfgovern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
groups.<br />
On a deeper level he sees <strong>the</strong> issue as an experiment <strong>in</strong><br />
f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> best form <strong>of</strong> community life and <strong>the</strong> best way <strong>of</strong><br />
us<strong>in</strong>g leisure. But although he can <strong>of</strong>fer no solution, he brilliantly<br />
sums up <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se words. “<strong>The</strong> problem”, he says, “is<br />
to f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> best method <strong>of</strong> comb<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> workers <strong>the</strong> tw<strong>in</strong> ideas<br />
<strong>of</strong> self-government and technical efficiency, that is, responsible<br />
freedom at <strong>the</strong> periphery with advanced scientific management<br />
at <strong>the</strong> centre.”<br />
Now if this is a fair statement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> problem, as I th<strong>in</strong>k it is,<br />
<strong>the</strong>n when we dissect it, we shall discover that both elements <strong>of</strong> my<br />
<strong>the</strong>me are found <strong>the</strong>re<strong>in</strong>. For how shall we produce “responsible<br />
freedom at <strong>the</strong> periphery”, if not by provid<strong>in</strong>g a higher<br />
educational structure wide and deep enough to penetrate <strong>the</strong><br />
periphery? Aga<strong>in</strong>, where is an “advanced scientific management<br />
at <strong>the</strong> centre” to come from if our universities do not help us to<br />
master <strong>the</strong> ever widen<strong>in</strong>g range <strong>of</strong> technocracy?<br />
But consider fur<strong>the</strong>r. Unless we devise an educational system<br />
flexible enough, to accommodate both <strong>the</strong> centre and <strong>the</strong><br />
periphery, we shall fail, s<strong>in</strong>ce both centre and <strong>the</strong> circumference<br />
are parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same circle. <strong>The</strong> <strong>in</strong>ference which I draw is clear.<br />
<strong>The</strong> centrists and <strong>the</strong> peripherists are <strong>the</strong> same k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> people<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g equally valuable, though different jobs. To put it <strong>in</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
way, <strong>the</strong> technocrat is merely <strong>the</strong> average man <strong>in</strong> full <strong>in</strong>tellectual<br />
26
dress. But if this is so, <strong>the</strong>n unless <strong>the</strong> average man is provided<br />
with <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>imum <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tellectual cloth<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong> technocrat is not<br />
likely to emerge or, when he does, <strong>the</strong> centre will have noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
common with <strong>the</strong> circumference.<br />
At this po<strong>in</strong>t you may well ask how an emergent society can<br />
best use its higher education facilities to br<strong>in</strong>g about <strong>the</strong>se desired<br />
ends <strong>of</strong> responsible self-government and advanced scientific<br />
management. I do not really have to provide an answer because<br />
<strong>the</strong> problem is really not a new one. You see every society is<br />
equidistant from technocracy. True, <strong>the</strong> technocracy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
latter half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth century is not that <strong>of</strong> fifth century<br />
Greece. Had, even so, <strong>the</strong> socio-economic problems <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fifth<br />
century Greece are not those <strong>of</strong> our day. <strong>The</strong>ir problems called<br />
for solutions appropriate to <strong>the</strong>ir needs. But so do ours. And if<br />
we could appreciate how <strong>the</strong>y faced <strong>the</strong>ir challenges we might<br />
get hold <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key to <strong>the</strong> solutions <strong>of</strong> ours.<br />
I pr<strong>of</strong>oundly regret that <strong>the</strong>re are serious gaps <strong>in</strong> my knowledge<br />
<strong>of</strong> Hellenic Civilization <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> centuries immediately preced<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> birth <strong>of</strong> Our Lord. But it seems to me that Greek civilization,<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g evolved <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> polity known as <strong>the</strong> city state, found<br />
itself confronted by <strong>the</strong> challenge <strong>of</strong> over-population.<br />
This meant, <strong>in</strong> effect, that its rate <strong>of</strong> population growth<br />
outstripped its rate <strong>of</strong> national <strong>in</strong>come growth per head <strong>of</strong><br />
population. How very modern this problem seems to be? This is<br />
precisely what I mean when I say that each society is equidistant<br />
from technocracy. However, let us see how ever <strong>of</strong> two Greek<br />
city states met this challenge.<br />
Sparta re-acted like Nazi Germany. She proceeded to<br />
conquer and enslave her neighbours. But <strong>the</strong> effort <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
hold<strong>in</strong>g down her neighbours diverted too large a proportion <strong>of</strong><br />
her resources to militarism and this, eventually, ossified her <strong>in</strong>to<br />
a police state with an uncerta<strong>in</strong> pattern <strong>of</strong> International Trade.<br />
27
Not thus with A<strong>the</strong>ns. She developed what we should now<br />
call an <strong>in</strong>frastructure, and discovered how to nourish her<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g population by a development <strong>of</strong> her overseas trade.<br />
She geared her own agricultural production to a high level <strong>of</strong><br />
efficiently – she started manufacture for export and, meanwhile<br />
developed her political <strong>in</strong>stitutions so as to give a fuller share<br />
<strong>of</strong> political power to <strong>the</strong> new classes which <strong>the</strong>se far reach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
socio-economic reforms had galvanized <strong>in</strong>to activity. To sum up<br />
A<strong>the</strong>nian Statesmen faced an almost <strong>in</strong>tractable social challenge,<br />
by pilot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir country through an economic and political<br />
revolution and, by so do<strong>in</strong>g, paved <strong>the</strong> way for <strong>the</strong> forward<br />
movement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir society. But this sounds exactly like what has<br />
been done <strong>in</strong> Puerto Rico s<strong>in</strong>ce 1949.<br />
But <strong>the</strong> A<strong>the</strong>nians would scarcely have achieved this level <strong>of</strong><br />
wellbe<strong>in</strong>g if <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>in</strong>fra-structure had not produced an educational<br />
system capable <strong>of</strong> impart<strong>in</strong>g momentum to <strong>the</strong>se struggles.<br />
And <strong>the</strong> case with <strong>the</strong> West Indies is no different. Throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong>se Islands we have to staff all our schools with graduates <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> next two decades. We have also to provide large numbers<br />
<strong>of</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess executives, adm<strong>in</strong>istrators, <strong>in</strong>dustrial consultant<br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eers, accountants, agronomist, architects, doctors, dentists,<br />
lawyers and journalists. How are we to get <strong>the</strong>se if not through<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies.<br />
You who now have <strong>the</strong> happy privilege be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> first<br />
undergraduates on this campus, are <strong>the</strong> technocrats <strong>of</strong> our<br />
immediate future. For whe<strong>the</strong>r you study Arts or Sciences you will<br />
be taught to apply scientific techniques to <strong>the</strong> problems <strong>of</strong> your<br />
community. And because you are to help to build a free society<br />
<strong>the</strong> peoples <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies are, <strong>in</strong> this College, provid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
you with <strong>the</strong> sort <strong>of</strong> Liberal Education which technocrats should<br />
have. And if you doubt <strong>the</strong> significance <strong>of</strong> this venture, and if<br />
you have as yet no awareness <strong>of</strong> what this k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> opportunity<br />
can do for you, let me give you Card<strong>in</strong>al Newman’s brilliant<br />
description <strong>of</strong> a liberally educated person.<br />
28
“It is <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g which give a man clear, conscious<br />
view <strong>of</strong> his own op<strong>in</strong>ions and judgments, an eloquence <strong>in</strong><br />
express<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m, and force <strong>in</strong> urg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m. It teaches him to see<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs as <strong>the</strong>y are, to go right to <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t, to disentangle a ve<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> thought, to detect what is sophistical, and to discard what is<br />
irrelevant. It prepares him to fill any post with credit, and to<br />
master any subject with facility”.<br />
“It shows him how to accommodate himself to o<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
how to put himself <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir state <strong>of</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d, how to come to an<br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong>m, how to bear with <strong>the</strong>m. He is at home<br />
<strong>in</strong> every society; he has common ground with every class. He<br />
knows when to speak and when to be silent. He is able to converse,<br />
he is able to listen. He can ask a question pert<strong>in</strong>ently and ga<strong>in</strong> a<br />
lesson seasonably when he has noth<strong>in</strong>g to impart himself.”<br />
“He is ever ready, yet never <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> way. He is a pleasant<br />
companion, and a comrade you can depend upon. He knows<br />
when to be serious and when to trifle. And he has a sure tact<br />
which enables him to trifle with graciousness, and to be serious<br />
with effect”.<br />
“He has <strong>the</strong> repose <strong>of</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d which lives <strong>in</strong> itself, while it lives<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, and which has resources for its own happ<strong>in</strong>ess when<br />
it cannot go abroad. He has a gift which serves him <strong>in</strong> public, and<br />
supports him <strong>in</strong> retirement, without which good fortune is vulgar,<br />
and with which failure and disappo<strong>in</strong>tment have charm.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> art which tends to make a person all this is, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> object<br />
which it pursues, as useful a part <strong>of</strong> wealth or <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> health,<br />
though it is a less susceptible method, less tangible, less certa<strong>in</strong>,<br />
less complete <strong>in</strong> its results.<br />
Vice-Chancellor, Doctors, Masters, Bachelors, Undergraduates,<br />
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, I deeply<br />
apologise for <strong>the</strong> length <strong>of</strong> time for which I have deta<strong>in</strong>ed this<br />
illustrious company.<br />
29
CAVE HILL CAMPUS<br />
SELECTED IMAGES 1963-1968<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hon. Eric Williams,<br />
first Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad & Tobago<br />
and Pro-Chancellor<br />
Sir Philip Sherlock,<br />
Vice Chancellor, 1963-1969<br />
Sir Arthur Lewis,<br />
UWI’s first Vice Chancellor, 1960-1963<br />
Rt. Hon. Errol Barrow,<br />
first Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Barbados<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Leslie Rob<strong>in</strong>son,<br />
act<strong>in</strong>g Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal and Pro-Vice<br />
Chancellor 1963-1964<br />
30<br />
Hon. Cameron Tudor,<br />
first M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education, Barbados
CAVE HILL CAMPUS<br />
SELECTED IMAGES<br />
<strong>The</strong> site chosen for <strong>the</strong> permanent home <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Campus was called “<strong>The</strong> Mount”. It was Capta<strong>in</strong><br />
“Tommy” Toml<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong> architect who later designed <strong>the</strong> campus and dubbed it “Cave Hill”.<br />
<strong>The</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> hous<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Wanstead Area.<br />
31
CAVE HILL CAMPUS<br />
SELECTED IMAGES<br />
Dist<strong>in</strong>guished <strong>of</strong>ficials leav<strong>in</strong>g Assembly Hall.<br />
Extra Mural Centre: HRH Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice<br />
Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>.<br />
HRH Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice after open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />
Extra Mural Arts w<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Hand<strong>in</strong>g over ceremony <strong>of</strong> site for<br />
Extra Mural Department.<br />
32
CAVE HILL CAMPUS<br />
SELECTED IMAGES<br />
Auditorium renovations be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>spected by Hon. Cameron Tudor, M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education (left)<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hugg<strong>in</strong>s, Mr. Archer and Mr. Ward, Clerk <strong>of</strong> Works (right).<br />
<strong>The</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Arts<br />
and Sciences.<br />
<strong>The</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong><br />
Cave Hill site.<br />
<strong>The</strong> iconic Cave Hill clock tower.<br />
Procession walk<strong>in</strong>g to St. Mary’s church after <strong>the</strong><br />
first graduation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Arts and Science,<br />
February 1967.<br />
33
CAVE HILL CAMPUS<br />
SELECTED IMAGES<br />
An aerial view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cave Hill Campus show<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> surround<strong>in</strong>g lands.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Caribbean Trade Fair site (Department <strong>of</strong> Education, Barbados, Visual Aids Section).<br />
34
UNIVERSITY<br />
OF THE WEST INDIES<br />
CAVE HILL, BARBADOS, W.I.<br />
ON OCCASION OF A SPECIAL VISIT TO THE<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Arts & Science<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chancellor’s Address<br />
H.R.H. Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice, Countess <strong>of</strong> Athlone<br />
Chancellor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies<br />
Thirteenth <strong>of</strong> March One Thousand N<strong>in</strong>e Hundred and Sixty-four<br />
(1964)<br />
35
THE CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS<br />
H.R.H. Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice, Countess <strong>of</strong> Athlone, Chancellor<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies paid a special visit to <strong>the</strong><br />
new College <strong>of</strong> Arts and Science, <strong>in</strong> its temporary build<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Harbour Site, Bridgetown, on Friday 13th March,<br />
1964. On that occasion Her Royal Highness delivered <strong>the</strong><br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g address to <strong>the</strong> assembly which consisted <strong>of</strong> H.E.<br />
<strong>the</strong> Governor and Lady Stow, Hon. J. C. Tudor, M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong><br />
Education, <strong>the</strong> F<strong>in</strong>ance and Advisory Committees <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
College, staff and students:<br />
Before address<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> students, I must take this opportunity to express<br />
my warmest thanks as Chancellor and on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies for <strong>the</strong> generous support and encouragement<br />
given by <strong>the</strong> ‘Government <strong>of</strong> Barbados <strong>in</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g this regional<br />
branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>in</strong>to be<strong>in</strong>g. We have also been greatly<br />
helped by friends among whom Mr. Ronald Tree has been <strong>in</strong>defatigable.<br />
I would also like to express my thanks to <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> F<strong>in</strong>ance and<br />
Advisory Committees <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> College for <strong>the</strong> services <strong>the</strong>y have rendered <strong>in</strong><br />
launch<strong>in</strong>g this project. You are all busy men and women but without your<br />
co-operation and support it would have been impossible to have opened <strong>the</strong><br />
College last October.<br />
Now let me turn to <strong>the</strong> students, for I am <strong>in</strong>deed glad to have<br />
this opportunity to say a few words to <strong>the</strong>m. It is a source <strong>of</strong><br />
special pride to me to be able to speak to undergraduates on <strong>the</strong><br />
Barbados Campus to stress <strong>the</strong> importance to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>itial success <strong>of</strong> this promis<strong>in</strong>g venture <strong>in</strong> higher education<br />
at <strong>the</strong> highest level. <strong>The</strong> first step was <strong>the</strong> erection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
permanent build<strong>in</strong>g for Extra-Mural Studies followed quickly by<br />
<strong>the</strong> promise <strong>of</strong> a magnificent grant from <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Technical Co-operation to build an Arts College; and <strong>the</strong> studies,<br />
36
I am glad to know, are proceed<strong>in</strong>g satisfactorily <strong>in</strong> temporary<br />
accommodation.<br />
Ours is a Federal <strong>University</strong> and we have all come to accept <strong>the</strong><br />
fact that university education should be brought to <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Islands under <strong>the</strong> aegis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies.<br />
I have just been visit<strong>in</strong>g some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se Islands and I can assure<br />
you that <strong>the</strong>y are much alive to this necessity. You will recall<br />
that to mark <strong>the</strong> open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> this College <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> granted<br />
a Scholarship to each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> territories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> W<strong>in</strong>dward and <strong>the</strong><br />
Leeward Islands, and I am glad to welcome <strong>the</strong>se scholarship<br />
w<strong>in</strong>ners to <strong>the</strong> Barbados College and hope that as time goes on<br />
<strong>more</strong> students will avail <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> opportunities that are<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered here..<br />
In conclusion, I do want you young people just on <strong>the</strong> verge<br />
<strong>of</strong> adult life as well as senior students to remember that wealth<br />
<strong>of</strong> our county <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> last resort does not lie <strong>in</strong> its gold and dollar<br />
reserves as many seem to th<strong>in</strong>k. It lies ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> character <strong>of</strong><br />
its people and <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir will<strong>in</strong>gness to perform a full part <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
country’s service. What does our country mean? To us it means<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g life, good comradeship, a square deal for everybody,<br />
laws based on a moral code, freedom from oppression and<br />
restrictions, and <strong>the</strong> absolute right <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual with- <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
law to live his own way, and <strong>the</strong> duty to our country which falls<br />
on each one <strong>of</strong> us, is to believe <strong>in</strong> that way <strong>of</strong> life and to live for<br />
it and to work for it and actively to resist any set <strong>of</strong> men or any<br />
circumstances which threaten it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rapid enlightened development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> was<br />
scarcely visualized when <strong>the</strong> old <strong>University</strong> College at Mona<br />
was launched fifteen years ago with just thirty medical students,<br />
<strong>the</strong> anticipation <strong>of</strong> its founders that three to four hundred<br />
undergraduates might be expected <strong>the</strong>re. Today we have at<br />
least two thousand between Mona, St. August<strong>in</strong>e and Barbados.<br />
I am glad to th<strong>in</strong>k that many <strong>of</strong> you who are attend<strong>in</strong>g this<br />
37
College are work<strong>in</strong>g people, which is a most commendable<br />
development, and I hope you will encourage your neighbours to<br />
follow your excellent example. I have just arrived from attend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> Council Meet<strong>in</strong>gs at which we very heartily welcomed <strong>the</strong><br />
regional members who had made <strong>the</strong> journey to be present and<br />
whose advice and co-operation were especially valuable.<br />
I was present at <strong>the</strong> presentation <strong>of</strong> graduates and <strong>in</strong> a few<br />
days time I shall be attend<strong>in</strong>g a similar occasion at St. August<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
and no doubt you are look<strong>in</strong>g forward to your first presentation<br />
<strong>in</strong> about two years time. For you have a great opportunity here<br />
too <strong>in</strong> Barbados to make a real contribution to <strong>the</strong> aspirations <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> for <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> Higher Education throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caribbean Territories - you are particularly well<br />
situated to serve our neighbours as well as develop<strong>in</strong>g your own<br />
standards <strong>of</strong> education. I would stress most earnestly <strong>the</strong> unity<br />
<strong>of</strong> our <strong>University</strong> and <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> such unity <strong>of</strong> purpose<br />
and mutual <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> this all-important matter <strong>of</strong> education<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> whole area.<br />
And now I wish <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal and his Staff and all <strong>of</strong> you <strong>the</strong><br />
best <strong>of</strong> luck and God’s bless<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
38
UNIVERSITY<br />
OF THE WEST INDIES<br />
CAVE HILL, BARBADOS, W.I.<br />
LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Arts & Science<br />
BY<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chancellor<br />
Her Royal Highness Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Alice, Countess <strong>of</strong> Athlone,<br />
G.C.V.O., G.B.E., V.A.<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister’s Address<br />
Honourable J. Cameron Tudor<br />
M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
Twenty-sixth <strong>of</strong> January One Thousand N<strong>in</strong>e Hundred and Sixty-six<br />
(1966)<br />
39
M<strong>in</strong>ister’s Address<br />
Hon. J. Cameron Tudor<br />
Madam Chancellor, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Pro-Vice-Chancellor,<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> Council, Doctors, Masters, Bachelors and Students; Your<br />
Excellencies, Your Honours, Honourable Chief M<strong>in</strong>isters, Honourable<br />
M<strong>in</strong>isters, Ladies and Gentlemen;<br />
It is a very great honour and privilege for me, Ma’am, to<br />
welcome, on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Government and People <strong>of</strong> Barbados,<br />
this illustrious company which <strong>the</strong> gracious presence <strong>of</strong> your<br />
Royal Highness so fitt<strong>in</strong>gly adorns. It is an equally great honour<br />
and privilege for me to have placed <strong>in</strong> your own hands, Ma’am,<br />
this pledge <strong>of</strong> fealty which <strong>the</strong> People <strong>of</strong> Barbados have made to<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies.<br />
One th<strong>in</strong>g, Ma’am, blunts <strong>the</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> our pleasure here this<br />
afternoon. It is <strong>the</strong> unavoidable absence abroad, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> service<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Crown, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Honourable Premier. Mr. Barrow has<br />
asked me particularly to convey his respectful greet<strong>in</strong>gs to you,<br />
Ma’am, as well as to <strong>the</strong> dist<strong>in</strong>guished company assembled here<br />
at your bidd<strong>in</strong>g, and to say that he hopes he may adequately<br />
atone for his absence by br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g back even <strong>more</strong> assistance for<br />
your <strong>University</strong>.<br />
I should like to extend <strong>the</strong> warmest welcome and greet<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
to <strong>the</strong>ir Excellencies <strong>the</strong> High Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Canada, <strong>the</strong><br />
United K<strong>in</strong>gdom and Jamaica, to <strong>the</strong> Representative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Government <strong>of</strong> Tr<strong>in</strong>idad and Tobago, to <strong>the</strong>ir Honours <strong>the</strong><br />
Adm<strong>in</strong>istrators <strong>of</strong> St. Lucia, St. Kitts and <strong>the</strong> Virg<strong>in</strong> Islands, to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Honourable M<strong>in</strong>isters from o<strong>the</strong>r territories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Region,<br />
to <strong>the</strong> representatives <strong>of</strong> British, American and Canadian<br />
universities, as well as to all those who are here to seek succour<br />
from <strong>the</strong> rigours <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn W<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
In this connection, Ma’am, I th<strong>in</strong>k I may be pardoned if I<br />
make special mention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> presence here among us <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
40
Sir Arthur Lewis, whom we all rejoice to see this afternoon. Dr.<br />
Lewis has given immeasurable service to <strong>the</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> West Indian<br />
Emancipation <strong>in</strong> general, and to <strong>the</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> West Indian Higher<br />
Education <strong>in</strong> particular. Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> credit <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> establishment<br />
<strong>of</strong> this College must go to him, not only for his grand conception<br />
<strong>of</strong> spread<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> throughout <strong>the</strong> Region, but for his<br />
consummate artistry <strong>in</strong> persuad<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> United K<strong>in</strong>gdom to part<br />
with <strong>the</strong> money to construct <strong>the</strong> build<strong>in</strong>gs, <strong>the</strong> corner-stone <strong>of</strong><br />
which is laid today. And I am hop<strong>in</strong>g, Ma’am — I dare hardly<br />
suggest it — whenever money is available for <strong>the</strong> construction<br />
<strong>of</strong> a Hall <strong>of</strong> Residence for Students from <strong>the</strong> W<strong>in</strong>dwards and<br />
Leewards, that Dr. Lewis will give, however reluctantly, his<br />
permission for such Hall <strong>of</strong> Residence to bear his dist<strong>in</strong>guished<br />
name.<br />
When Ma’am, you lay <strong>the</strong> stone which gets <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong>f<br />
<strong>the</strong> ground, you will have set <strong>in</strong> motion a tremendous enterprise.<br />
For <strong>the</strong>se forty-six acres <strong>of</strong> land, on which this College will be<br />
built, are <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> Barbados to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> West Indies. But your portion is but a fraction <strong>of</strong> hundreds<br />
<strong>of</strong> acres from which a new city is dest<strong>in</strong>ed to spr<strong>in</strong>g. In time <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> College will be surrounded by all <strong>the</strong> artifacts <strong>of</strong> a<br />
modern community. <strong>The</strong>re will be thousands <strong>of</strong> homes, primary<br />
and secondary schools, churches, <strong>the</strong>atres, c<strong>in</strong>emas, shopp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
centres and recreation grounds, highways and shaded walks.<br />
Thus, Ma’am is your College <strong>the</strong> harb<strong>in</strong>ger <strong>of</strong> th<strong>in</strong>gs to come,<br />
<strong>the</strong> herald <strong>of</strong> good tid<strong>in</strong>gs. And just as <strong>the</strong> ivy cl<strong>in</strong>gs to <strong>the</strong> oak,<br />
<strong>in</strong> like fashion will this future township lean on <strong>the</strong> College, to<br />
garner strength and faith for a purposeful community life. When<br />
you come to us next year, Ma’am, to receive our first graduates<br />
as permanent members <strong>of</strong> your <strong>University</strong>, we hope to have <strong>the</strong><br />
Assembly Hall quite ready for your convenience, and you also<br />
will see <strong>the</strong> beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> effort which will surround <strong>the</strong><br />
College.<br />
41
Already, Ma’am, this College, despite its somewhat limited<br />
existence as a mere corner-stone, has excited <strong>the</strong> curiosity <strong>of</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r young Universities. Next month, I am to be visited by<br />
<strong>the</strong> Vice Chancellor <strong>of</strong> Sussex <strong>University</strong>, Dr. Asa Briggs, and<br />
his Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Anthropology, Dr. Fernando Henriques. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
<strong>University</strong> wishes to establish <strong>in</strong> Barbados a graduate centre for<br />
<strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> Multi-racial Societies, and <strong>the</strong>y wish to associate<br />
this venture <strong>in</strong> some way with <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> College here. I<br />
understand that this project will receive <strong>the</strong> bless<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United<br />
K<strong>in</strong>gdom Government and that <strong>the</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> our <strong>University</strong><br />
will be asked to approve. <strong>The</strong> Barbados government will be<br />
<strong>in</strong>vited to donate two acres <strong>of</strong> land, and <strong>the</strong> sponsors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
project will f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> money for <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> build<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
elsewhere. Provided, Ma’am, <strong>the</strong>y don’t p<strong>in</strong>ch any <strong>of</strong> your land,<br />
I hope you will let <strong>the</strong>m have <strong>the</strong>ir “Sussex-by-<strong>the</strong>-Sea.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> welcome presence <strong>of</strong> so many <strong>of</strong> our friends from<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r territories encourages me once aga<strong>in</strong> to declare this<br />
Government’s policy towards <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Government and People <strong>of</strong> Barbados stand foursquare<br />
on <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> a regional <strong>University</strong>. We agreed with that<br />
decision at <strong>the</strong> common services Conference <strong>in</strong> 1962, and we see<br />
no reason to alter our stand. We have done noth<strong>in</strong>g to weaken<br />
<strong>the</strong> force <strong>of</strong> this decision and we have loyally given f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
support to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> on this basis.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> com<strong>in</strong>g budget year we shall be giv<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
$300,000 <strong>more</strong> than we give at present and this will br<strong>in</strong>g our<br />
annual contribution <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> next triennium up to someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
like one million one hundred thousand dollars. Moreover, we<br />
have just paid <strong>the</strong> last annual <strong>in</strong>stallment <strong>of</strong> $80,000 which we<br />
covenanted to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> last five years as a special<br />
contribution.<br />
If hard cash means anyth<strong>in</strong>g at all, no one can doubt <strong>the</strong><br />
s<strong>in</strong>cerity <strong>of</strong> our attachment to this <strong>University</strong>.<br />
42
Nor should anyone believe that our go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to Independence<br />
this year, will <strong>in</strong> any way modify our policy, or weaken our resolve,<br />
to support this <strong>University</strong> as a Regional Institution. But we should<br />
be less than frank if we did not express our alarm at <strong>the</strong> recondite<br />
<strong>in</strong>terpretation which is given <strong>in</strong> some quarters to <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong><br />
a Regional <strong>University</strong>. Some people th<strong>in</strong>k that it refers to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
own regions. We <strong>in</strong> Barbados <strong>in</strong>sist that <strong>the</strong> region referred to <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Common Services Agreement is <strong>the</strong> entire British Caribbean.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> Barbados has considerable difficulty <strong>in</strong><br />
understand<strong>in</strong>g why such a clearly expressed agreement should<br />
generate such a variety <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terpretation.<br />
Ma’am, I th<strong>in</strong>k I ought also to state with emphasis to our<br />
fellow citizens <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean that this Government,<br />
<strong>in</strong> support<strong>in</strong>g a Regional <strong>University</strong>, is anxious to facilitate <strong>the</strong><br />
largest possible number <strong>of</strong> students from <strong>the</strong> W<strong>in</strong>dwards and<br />
Leewards.<br />
Indeed, if it were f<strong>in</strong>ancially possible for us to do so, we<br />
would have provided a Hall <strong>of</strong> Residence for such students, and<br />
would have <strong>of</strong>fered some scholarships as well. But we already<br />
provide two hundred free scholarships at <strong>the</strong> College for our<br />
own students and we cannot at present do anyth<strong>in</strong>g for overseas<br />
students <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se respects.<br />
In say<strong>in</strong>g this, I have no desire to set a limit to <strong>the</strong> possibilities<br />
<strong>of</strong> assistance to <strong>the</strong> College or to Students, wish<strong>in</strong>g to dr<strong>in</strong>k at<br />
spr<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
A university is at once <strong>the</strong> expression and <strong>the</strong> repository <strong>of</strong> all<br />
that is most significant <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> a people, and its claims<br />
on <strong>the</strong> people are so cogent and so universal that <strong>the</strong>y cannot be<br />
met from <strong>the</strong> resources <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Government alone. Indeed, it is<br />
<strong>the</strong> duty and <strong>the</strong> great privilege <strong>of</strong> private persons <strong>in</strong> all walks <strong>of</strong><br />
life to view <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> College as <strong>the</strong>ir own possession, <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
own heritage and <strong>the</strong>ir own hope. It is <strong>the</strong> duty and <strong>the</strong> privilege<br />
<strong>of</strong> all who can manage it, whe<strong>the</strong>r s<strong>in</strong>gly or <strong>in</strong> co-operation<br />
43
with <strong>the</strong>ir fellows to make <strong>the</strong>ir private <strong>of</strong>fer<strong>in</strong>gs which may be<br />
used <strong>in</strong> endow<strong>in</strong>g Scholarships and bursaries for students from<br />
all territories <strong>in</strong> this region. I can th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>of</strong> no nobler or <strong>more</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>itable act <strong>of</strong> sacrifice than this, for it is made on <strong>the</strong> tw<strong>in</strong><br />
altars <strong>of</strong> knowledge and youth, <strong>the</strong> most precious possessions <strong>of</strong><br />
any people.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>in</strong>vitation to share <strong>in</strong> this high service is addressed not<br />
only to <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> Barbados but equally to all natives and<br />
residents <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean area. As an earnest <strong>of</strong> its<br />
s<strong>in</strong>cerity <strong>in</strong> this co-operation <strong>in</strong> culture <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong><br />
Barbados wishes it to be known to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> and to <strong>the</strong><br />
Governments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean that no h<strong>in</strong>drance<br />
whatever will be placed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> bona fide students from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean; that any <strong>University</strong> facility established<br />
here <strong>in</strong> Barbados will automatically be enjoyed by students from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean or by students from any o<strong>the</strong>r part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> region; that <strong>in</strong> accept<strong>in</strong>g aid for <strong>the</strong> College from foreign<br />
governments or from any o<strong>the</strong>r source, <strong>the</strong> Government will <strong>in</strong><br />
each case <strong>in</strong>form <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Governments <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
territories; that this Government will, if requested, accept any<br />
responsibility, o<strong>the</strong>r than f<strong>in</strong>ancial, for <strong>the</strong> welfare and comfort<br />
<strong>of</strong> students from <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean. F<strong>in</strong>ally that it will<br />
undertake not to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong>m employment when <strong>the</strong>y graduate,<br />
so that <strong>the</strong>y may return to <strong>the</strong>ir islands to enrich <strong>the</strong> economies<br />
which made <strong>the</strong>ir studies possible.<br />
Such, Ma’am is <strong>the</strong> declaration <strong>of</strong> our policy <strong>in</strong> this regard.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Independence <strong>of</strong> Barbados will not only not <strong>in</strong>hibit <strong>the</strong><br />
opportunities <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly available to <strong>the</strong> Eastern Caribbean,<br />
but will also actively promote and provide wider areas <strong>of</strong> growth<br />
for <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West Indies. And <strong>in</strong> thank<strong>in</strong>g you aga<strong>in</strong><br />
for <strong>the</strong> lov<strong>in</strong>g care which you bestow on this <strong>University</strong>, I venture<br />
to say, Ma’am, that <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s cornerstone was first laid<br />
when, with that quiet but penetrat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sight which marks <strong>the</strong><br />
44
wise sovereign, His late Majesty K<strong>in</strong>g George <strong>the</strong> Sixth <strong>of</strong><br />
blessed memory planted you <strong>in</strong> all our hearts, and gave to this<br />
<strong>University</strong> pride, place and preem<strong>in</strong>ence above all o<strong>the</strong>rs, with<br />
such an “acceptable Chancellor.”<br />
Sir John Stow:<br />
Madam Chancellor, dist<strong>in</strong>guished visitors, ladies and<br />
gentlemen. With Your Royal Highness’s permission, I shall read<br />
out <strong>the</strong> text <strong>of</strong> a message sent by <strong>the</strong> Right Honourable Anthony<br />
Greenwood, M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Overseas Development.<br />
“Your Royal Highness, please accept my very good wishes<br />
on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foundation stone <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> new College. My M<strong>in</strong>istry represents a new concept<br />
<strong>of</strong> service to, and co-operation with, those parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world which are determ<strong>in</strong>ed to raise educational and<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g standards for all <strong>the</strong>ir peoples; we want to jo<strong>in</strong> you<br />
<strong>in</strong> this task. <strong>The</strong> new grants totall<strong>in</strong>g £600,000, nearly<br />
$3. million (West Indian), to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> West<br />
Indies, details <strong>of</strong> which will be announced today, are<br />
given <strong>in</strong> this spirit, and <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hope that <strong>the</strong>y will play a<br />
part <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g co-operative arrangements <strong>of</strong> service<br />
to all <strong>the</strong> islands <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area.”<br />
That is <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> message.<br />
In order to emphasise <strong>the</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> British aid to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>, I should add, that this $3 million is <strong>in</strong> addition<br />
to British assistance already given to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> totall<strong>in</strong>g<br />
$45 million (B.W.I.).<br />
45
Rt. Hon. Errol Walton Barrow<br />
Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Barbados<br />
46
GRADUATION ADDRESS<br />
1968<br />
Rt. Hon. Errol Walton Barrow<br />
Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> Barbados<br />
Sixth <strong>of</strong> February One Thousand N<strong>in</strong>e Hundred and Sixty-eight<br />
(1968)<br />
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES<br />
CAVE HILL – BARBADOS<br />
47
ERROL BARROW<br />
FEBRUARY 6, 1968<br />
First <strong>of</strong> all I should like to bid you welcome, Madam Chancellor,<br />
and to thank you on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> for <strong>the</strong> gracious dedication<br />
which Your Royal Highness has always given to its affairs. Every year<br />
we look forward to your visit, not only for <strong>the</strong> pleasure it br<strong>in</strong>gs, but for <strong>the</strong><br />
encouragement which we all derive from your vigour and <strong>in</strong>sight. Herodotus<br />
might well have said <strong>of</strong> you, Ma’am, as he did <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Persian emissaries<br />
“Nei<strong>the</strong>r snow nor ra<strong>in</strong> nor heat nor gloom <strong>of</strong> night stays this courier from<br />
swift accomplishment <strong>of</strong> her appo<strong>in</strong>ted route.”<br />
Three years ago I was pressed <strong>in</strong>to service to deliver <strong>the</strong><br />
address on behalf <strong>of</strong> our dist<strong>in</strong>guished Pro-Chancellor at <strong>the</strong><br />
graduation exercises at Sa<strong>in</strong>t August<strong>in</strong>e. It would have suited<br />
me today if he were stand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> my place before so impressive<br />
and so dist<strong>in</strong>guished a ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g to enliven us with his eloquence<br />
and enlighten us with his learn<strong>in</strong>g. But for some reason he has<br />
elected to sit like “patience on a monument smil<strong>in</strong>g at my grief.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pro-Chancellor has made an <strong>in</strong>valuable contribution to<br />
<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> as a regional <strong>in</strong>stitution.<br />
His presence <strong>in</strong> our midst must be an <strong>in</strong>spiration to those who<br />
are leav<strong>in</strong>g, as well as to those who enter as novices <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong><br />
mysteries <strong>of</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
We welcome to our <strong>University</strong> today <strong>the</strong> M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong><br />
Overseas Development on two grounds. First, he escaped from<br />
our common bondage at <strong>the</strong> same <strong>in</strong>stitution <strong>of</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
brief twelve months before me, and needs your sympathy <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
exact<strong>in</strong>g servitude <strong>in</strong> which we have both ended up as M<strong>in</strong>isters<br />
<strong>of</strong> Government.<br />
48
But <strong>of</strong> <strong>more</strong> importance is that <strong>the</strong> Right Honourable<br />
Reg<strong>in</strong>ald Prentice represents on this occasion <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> United K<strong>in</strong>gdom without whose generosity <strong>the</strong> construction<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se build<strong>in</strong>gs may have been postponed for an <strong>in</strong>def<strong>in</strong>ite<br />
period. <strong>The</strong> citizens <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United K<strong>in</strong>gdom deserve our thanks<br />
for this <strong>the</strong>ir most significant contribution west <strong>of</strong> Suez.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Government and people <strong>of</strong> Canada have made <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />
very substantial contribution to this <strong>University</strong>. In addition to<br />
funds already provided for expansion at Mona and St. August<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
and apart from <strong>the</strong> numerous scholarships now enjoyed by<br />
students <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> territories, <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> Canada has<br />
already earmarked a substantial sum for fur<strong>the</strong>r development at<br />
this site, and this sum will meet <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> construct<strong>in</strong>g a hall <strong>of</strong><br />
residence for <strong>the</strong> students <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r territories, who we hope<br />
will come here <strong>in</strong> ever <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g numbers. Both <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
and <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> Barbados have already dispatched <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
thanks to <strong>the</strong> Government <strong>of</strong> Canada, but would still wish to<br />
greet our Canadian friends <strong>in</strong> this public recognition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
assistance.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce I am address<strong>in</strong>g this dist<strong>in</strong>guished company as a<br />
member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> Council, I may perhaps not without<br />
some diffidence express <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s appreciation to <strong>the</strong><br />
people <strong>of</strong> Barbados for <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> land on which <strong>the</strong> College<br />
stands and for <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancillary services. In a deeper<br />
sense, however, <strong>the</strong> citizens <strong>of</strong> Barbados have merely established<br />
<strong>in</strong> a positive way <strong>the</strong>ir commitment to and faith <strong>in</strong> this region.<br />
By surrender<strong>in</strong>g so large a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir scarcest commodity<br />
to a regional enterprise, <strong>the</strong>y have demonstrated that <strong>the</strong>y yield<br />
to none <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir desire to promote <strong>the</strong> unity <strong>of</strong> this region.<br />
When <strong>in</strong> July 1962 <strong>the</strong> Common Services Conference made<br />
<strong>the</strong> historic decision to reta<strong>in</strong> and to expand <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> as a<br />
regional <strong>in</strong>stitution, it was felt by many that this was a pious hope<br />
<strong>in</strong> view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> political uncerta<strong>in</strong>ties <strong>the</strong>n prevail<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area.<br />
49
At that time none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subscrib<strong>in</strong>g territories was a sovereign<br />
state and <strong>the</strong> peculiar political contrivance which had held <strong>the</strong>m<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> chaf<strong>in</strong>g submission was <strong>in</strong> ru<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
<strong>The</strong> breakup <strong>of</strong> a civilization is <strong>of</strong>ten accompanied by a<br />
deceptive amount <strong>of</strong> social activity. As <strong>in</strong> a bodily fever, <strong>the</strong><br />
pulse becomes <strong>more</strong> rapid, <strong>the</strong> rate <strong>of</strong> oxidation faster, even <strong>the</strong><br />
flush on <strong>the</strong> patient’s cheek may give <strong>the</strong> deceptive appearance<br />
<strong>of</strong> health: only <strong>the</strong> glassy eye will <strong>in</strong>dicate that <strong>the</strong> patient is<br />
unconscious <strong>of</strong> what is go<strong>in</strong>g on about him: his m<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong>stead is<br />
grappl<strong>in</strong>g with phantoms.<br />
Louis Mumford writ<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> condition <strong>of</strong> man retrac<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> decl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> classic societies cont<strong>in</strong>ued –<br />
“In this hellenistic world, so rational <strong>in</strong> its surface activities,<br />
phantoms and visions appeared <strong>in</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g numbers precisely at<br />
<strong>the</strong> moment when <strong>the</strong> Museum <strong>of</strong> Alexandria was support<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a vast corps <strong>of</strong> savants and pr<strong>of</strong>essors who were carry<strong>in</strong>g exact<br />
science beyond <strong>the</strong> realms Aristotle had explored. <strong>The</strong>ophrastus<br />
developed a systematic botany. Hero <strong>of</strong> Alexandria <strong>in</strong>vented<br />
<strong>the</strong> reaction steam turb<strong>in</strong>e, <strong>the</strong> first grop<strong>in</strong>g toward <strong>the</strong> modern<br />
steam eng<strong>in</strong>e. Archimedes founded <strong>the</strong> science <strong>of</strong> hydrostatics<br />
and made decisive contributions to mechanics. But <strong>the</strong>se<br />
<strong>in</strong>ventions and discoveries did little to lighten labor: steam or<br />
clockwork was used merely to open temple doors without human<br />
hands - and thus superstitiously heighten <strong>the</strong> religious awe <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
worshiper. Slave labor, which underm<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> ancient polity, also<br />
reduced <strong>the</strong> prov<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mach<strong>in</strong>e. And though <strong>the</strong> scholars<br />
<strong>of</strong> Alexandria collected, collated, classified, made accessible to<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r scholars, a grow<strong>in</strong>g body <strong>of</strong> knowledge, <strong>the</strong> results did not<br />
flow out <strong>in</strong>to life: after Aristotle’s syn<strong>the</strong>sis, learn<strong>in</strong>g tended to fill<br />
books and deflate men. Frustrated, cheated, <strong>the</strong> ord<strong>in</strong>ary man<br />
descended to new depths <strong>of</strong> irrational impulse and superstitious<br />
habit. Have we not seen a similar reaction <strong>in</strong> our own time?<br />
In <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> our rapidly chang<strong>in</strong>g times I wish to<br />
50
demonstrate that <strong>the</strong>se reactions are as much <strong>in</strong> evidence today<br />
as <strong>the</strong>y were two thousand years ago.<br />
I wish to discuss <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> and <strong>The</strong> People.<br />
It is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> utmost importance that our statesmen and<br />
scholars, students and scientists should all realise that a university<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitution cannot survive unless it has as its constant goal service<br />
to <strong>the</strong> communities which support and susta<strong>in</strong> its activities. At<br />
this college <strong>of</strong> Liberal Arts and Science we have embarked with<br />
some assistance on a task <strong>of</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g people to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>.<br />
It is vital that we should endeavour with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> shortest possible<br />
time to br<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> to <strong>the</strong> people. <strong>The</strong> contributions<br />
made by <strong>the</strong> smaller territories represent <strong>in</strong> most cases a large<br />
proportion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir resources and will be justified only to <strong>the</strong><br />
extent that commensurate returns <strong>in</strong> tra<strong>in</strong>ed manpower are<br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly available.<br />
Occasionally <strong>the</strong>re have been signs that <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> a<br />
regional university is not held with <strong>the</strong> firmness it deserves. One<br />
hears <strong>of</strong> peculiar <strong>in</strong>terpretations given to <strong>the</strong> concept which seem<br />
to suggest that words have lost <strong>the</strong>ir mean<strong>in</strong>g. While I should not<br />
wish to see duplication <strong>of</strong> effort and <strong>the</strong> result<strong>in</strong>g f<strong>in</strong>ancial chaos<br />
which this would br<strong>in</strong>g, I th<strong>in</strong>k wholly proper that each new<br />
development should buttress and extend <strong>the</strong> regional character<br />
<strong>of</strong> this <strong>University</strong>. It would be too much to expect <strong>the</strong> territories<br />
to connive at specious def<strong>in</strong>itions <strong>of</strong> regionalism which cover <strong>the</strong><br />
hand <strong>of</strong> selfishness with <strong>the</strong> glove <strong>of</strong> extravagance.<br />
While it is conceded that each territory must establish its own<br />
priorities for national development, it must never be forgotten<br />
that all <strong>the</strong> territories are now firmly committed to important<br />
common enterprises for economic development. In all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
enterprises, whe<strong>the</strong>r for <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> Free Trade or a<br />
Development Bank or <strong>the</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> communications, it<br />
is on <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> that <strong>the</strong>y lean most heavily for <strong>the</strong> studies<br />
upon which <strong>the</strong>y reach <strong>the</strong>ir conclusions. <strong>The</strong>n <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
51
y its accessibility to all becomes <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>strument <strong>of</strong> general<br />
progress. It would be a senseless reversal <strong>of</strong> this trend if new<br />
development were to be regarded by anyone as opportunity for<br />
territorial aggrandizement.<br />
<strong>University</strong> costs are ris<strong>in</strong>g steadily. More money has to<br />
be found for ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g exist<strong>in</strong>g services and for f<strong>in</strong>anc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
properly planned expansion. It now requires nearly $3,500 a<br />
year to keep a student at Mona, nearly $3,300 at St. August<strong>in</strong>e<br />
and over $2,500 at this campus. Even with generous assistance<br />
from overseas for capital construction and for scholarships and<br />
Research Fellowships, <strong>the</strong> territories must still provide several<br />
million dollars each year for <strong>the</strong> current operations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>. <strong>The</strong> larger territories, apart from <strong>the</strong>ir mandatory<br />
payments to <strong>the</strong> central university budget, ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> hundreds<br />
<strong>of</strong> students from public funds <strong>in</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>rance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir policies for<br />
<strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> higher education. This <strong>in</strong>vestment on <strong>the</strong>ir part<br />
cannot be curtailed until <strong>the</strong>re is evidence that it is no longer<br />
necessary.<br />
Meanwhile <strong>the</strong> university itself has to teach <strong>more</strong> students,<br />
do <strong>more</strong> research, provide even <strong>more</strong> special services to<br />
Governments. All <strong>of</strong> this activity will necessarily be reflected<br />
<strong>in</strong> higher costs though equally <strong>in</strong> speedier development. <strong>The</strong><br />
calculated sacrifice <strong>of</strong> present comforts to future benefits can<br />
only be justified if <strong>the</strong> fullest use is made <strong>of</strong> available resources.<br />
When <strong>the</strong>refore we speak <strong>of</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> to <strong>the</strong><br />
People, we should not only mean that <strong>more</strong> and <strong>more</strong> people<br />
should directly as students enjoy its facilities, we should also<br />
<strong>in</strong>tend that <strong>the</strong> citizens <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region should be encouraged to<br />
regard <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> as <strong>the</strong>ir most important asset. We cannot<br />
rightly urge <strong>the</strong>m to sacrifice for it merely by po<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g with pride<br />
to its facilities or to its achievements or even to its <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
stand<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong>y must feel for <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>the</strong> same concern<br />
which <strong>the</strong> fortunes <strong>of</strong> sugar, tourism, <strong>in</strong>dustrial development<br />
52
and national security engender. <strong>The</strong>y must be helped to know, as<br />
a settled conviction, that <strong>the</strong> efficient growth <strong>of</strong> this <strong>University</strong><br />
is almost <strong>the</strong>ir only path to prosperity.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> for its part must eschew conspicuous<br />
consumption. It is <strong>the</strong> People’s <strong>University</strong>. In this most exact<strong>in</strong>g<br />
role it must lead <strong>the</strong> territories <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> difficult art <strong>of</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
one dollar do <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> two. Governments have to run <strong>the</strong><br />
fierce gauntlet <strong>of</strong> parliamentary approval for public expenditure<br />
and <strong>the</strong>y sometimes have to impose taxation which is never<br />
acceptable. If <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> raises its level <strong>of</strong> expenditure to<br />
a height not easily justifiable by <strong>the</strong> benefits conferred on <strong>the</strong><br />
taxpayer as citizen, <strong>the</strong> Governments will not have a pleasant time<br />
with <strong>the</strong>ir fellow citizens when <strong>the</strong>y ask for <strong>in</strong>creased provision.<br />
<strong>The</strong> greater awareness <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s moderation<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>more</strong> generous will be <strong>the</strong> region’s response. Dr. Samuel<br />
Johnson once said <strong>of</strong> Scotsmen that <strong>the</strong>y “susta<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir culture<br />
on a little oatmeal”! I should not live to prescribe this somewhat<br />
unpalatable diet for our <strong>University</strong>, but I th<strong>in</strong>k that we can still<br />
susta<strong>in</strong> our culture by <strong>the</strong> prudent use <strong>of</strong> a slender purse.<br />
Madam Chancellor, ahead <strong>of</strong> all our striv<strong>in</strong>g and self<br />
denial lies our goal <strong>of</strong> a prosperous and civi1ized community<br />
<strong>of</strong> people <strong>in</strong> this region. <strong>The</strong>se territories have now awoken<br />
after three centuries <strong>of</strong> neglect to f<strong>in</strong>d that <strong>the</strong> world has nearly<br />
passed <strong>the</strong>m by. <strong>The</strong>y must now cover <strong>in</strong> less than a decade <strong>the</strong><br />
distances negotiated at leisure by <strong>more</strong> favoured peoples. To<br />
make one blade <strong>of</strong> grass grow where two grew before, to tra<strong>in</strong><br />
ten persons <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same time as it would have taken to tra<strong>in</strong> one,<br />
to remove ignorance and squalor, to <strong>of</strong>fer ga<strong>in</strong>ful employment<br />
to every citizen and to preserve our cultural heritage <strong>in</strong> all its<br />
richness — is a task which might well discourage even <strong>the</strong> most<br />
stou<strong>the</strong>arted.<br />
In addition to <strong>the</strong>se urgent domestic preoccupations, we<br />
are all <strong>of</strong> us subject to <strong>the</strong> pressures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world outside <strong>the</strong><br />
53
egion. O<strong>the</strong>r countries <strong>more</strong> powerful than our own territories<br />
<strong>in</strong> populations, economic strength and military capacity,<br />
daily make decisions to which we are not a part but from <strong>the</strong><br />
consequences <strong>of</strong> which we cannot renege. Already <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong><br />
f<strong>in</strong>anc<strong>in</strong>g numerous vital public services <strong>in</strong> each territory has<br />
gone up <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wake <strong>of</strong> sterl<strong>in</strong>g devaluation, to mention only<br />
one example <strong>of</strong> our <strong>in</strong>terdependence. Events like this impress<br />
upon us by direct experience how very urgent it is to hasten our<br />
region’s growth by all available means <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> shortest time.<br />
It seems to me that we need to press <strong>in</strong>to service all <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>struments <strong>of</strong> our progress. Every resource <strong>of</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d and spirit<br />
must now be fully deployed <strong>in</strong> all <strong>the</strong>se territories. Not <strong>the</strong> least<br />
valuable to us <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se resources is our <strong>University</strong> now near<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> its second decade. In its short life it has shared with our<br />
national game <strong>the</strong> matchless honour <strong>of</strong> unify<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se territories.<br />
But it does not engender that feel<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> common identity which<br />
we all experience when <strong>in</strong> a Test Match <strong>the</strong> battle sways from side<br />
to side. On such occasions <strong>the</strong> whole region holds its breath and<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers expert but conflict<strong>in</strong>g advice to our capta<strong>in</strong> from which<br />
he, I must assume, prudently distills <strong>the</strong> formula for victory.<br />
If we could feel, Madam, a similar sense <strong>of</strong> identity with <strong>the</strong><br />
fortunes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> we should not only love it <strong>more</strong>, but<br />
we should also experience our greater need <strong>of</strong> it. Our support<br />
<strong>of</strong> this <strong>in</strong>stitution ought to be based not only on its capacity to<br />
serve but also on its success <strong>in</strong> keep<strong>in</strong>g all toge<strong>the</strong>r. For <strong>the</strong> work<br />
which <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> does is valuable not merely because we get<br />
our money’s worth, but because through it we know each o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
better, and, best <strong>of</strong> all, because it should give <strong>the</strong> people whom<br />
we serve a cause for rejoic<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong> physical plant and amenities<br />
which <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> has acquired supply a planned degree <strong>of</strong><br />
comfort if not <strong>of</strong> luxury.<br />
If <strong>the</strong> graduates whom we turn out upon our societies are not<br />
conscious <strong>of</strong> those who <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> words <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> historian Polybius<br />
54
supplied <strong>the</strong> luxuries and comforts, those from whose harvests or<br />
cargoes <strong>the</strong> money for taxes came <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> will have<br />
failed <strong>the</strong> society — it will have failed <strong>the</strong> people.<br />
Your Royal Highness, Right Honourable Pro Chancellor, Vice<br />
Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellors, members <strong>of</strong> staff, graduates,<br />
undergraduates, beh<strong>in</strong>d all <strong>the</strong> rightful glamour and pageantry<br />
<strong>of</strong> this occasion lie <strong>the</strong> hopes <strong>of</strong> nearly four million people.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se hopes must never be frustrated. <strong>The</strong>se human souls must<br />
reap with every pass<strong>in</strong>g day <strong>the</strong> full reward <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir patience and<br />
sacrifice. <strong>The</strong>y must never have an opportunity to be impatient<br />
or embittered. We must keep ask<strong>in</strong>g ourselves-<br />
“Who has given to me this sweet?<br />
And given my bro<strong>the</strong>r dust to eat?<br />
And when will his wage come <strong>in</strong>?”<br />
I as a proud West Indian steeped <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> heady w<strong>in</strong>e<br />
<strong>of</strong> classical culture need not apologise for bridg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> span <strong>of</strong><br />
two thousand years by an appeal to <strong>the</strong> wisdom <strong>of</strong> our own West<br />
Indian poet Derek Walcott, a dist<strong>in</strong>guished graduate <strong>of</strong> our<br />
West Indian <strong>University</strong> —<br />
“But let us hope, or bless.<br />
I bless with a maker’s hands, with ten clasped prayers<br />
All believers <strong>in</strong> battle, all strollers through fire,<br />
Who feel a heavy future <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir eyes,<br />
Limbs, tongue, tired, but not will<strong>in</strong>g to sit still.<br />
I praise those who see a world among <strong>the</strong>se islands<br />
Where we shall try to live <strong>in</strong> peace and fail,<br />
<strong>The</strong> failure noth<strong>in</strong>g. I also fold a prayer<br />
For who climbed ladders to see <strong>the</strong> wide world stretched<br />
R<strong>in</strong>ged with eternity and its own terrible power,<br />
Nor shouted down false bullet<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong> hope, not return giddy<br />
From clouds and <strong>the</strong> rung <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir star circled genius<br />
But returned to live near <strong>in</strong> humility.<br />
And from <strong>the</strong> chapels <strong>of</strong> my cupped hands I r<strong>in</strong>g<br />
55
<strong>The</strong> little men, reciters at parties, quadroon bohemians,<br />
<strong>The</strong> fisherman. trail<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> sun <strong>in</strong> his darken<strong>in</strong>g net,<br />
And <strong>the</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g man <strong>in</strong> overalls putt<strong>in</strong>g up <strong>the</strong> ladder <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> sun,<br />
All those who dream aga<strong>in</strong>st reason, who will make us<br />
More powerful than stones <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Atlantic tributary,<br />
But powerless, permanent, lovely and human,<br />
Proud not <strong>of</strong> overcom<strong>in</strong>g complexion,<br />
But climb<strong>in</strong>g poet and labourer nearer <strong>the</strong> tireless sun.”<br />
56
UWI MISSION<br />
To advance education and create<br />
knowledge through excellence <strong>in</strong><br />
teach<strong>in</strong>g, research, <strong>in</strong>novation, public<br />
service, <strong>in</strong>tellectual leadership and<br />
outreach <strong>in</strong> order to support <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>clusive (social, economic, political,<br />
cultural, environmental) development<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caribbean region and beyond.<br />
UWI VISION<br />
By 2017, <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> will be<br />
globally recognised as a regionally<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegrated, <strong>in</strong>novative, <strong>in</strong>ternationally<br />
competitive university, deeply<br />
rooted <strong>in</strong> all aspects <strong>of</strong> Caribbean<br />
development and committed<br />
to serv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> diverse people <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
region and beyond.
THE UNIVERSITY<br />
OF THE<br />
WEST INDIES<br />
CAVE HILL CAMPUS<br />
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL<br />
2013