UWI planning South Campus since 2006: Sankat

The Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) confirmed Friday that everything is on schedule to begin construction of the South campus of the university in Debe.

Speaking with reporters in San Fernando at the launch of a UWI medical faculty project at the San Fernando General Hospital, Sankat: "I have been having discussions with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and meetings with the various councils and committees of the UWI.

"And as principal, I am also doing what I need to do within the UWI system to advance this concept of the South campus which is a satellite campus of the St Augustine campus."  

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has been critical of the south campus and said earlier this week that it should not be located in Debe, insisting that St Augustine is the ideal location for any expansion. However the government has stated that there is a need for extending the campus beyond its present location to facilitate students from all over the country.

Sankat assured reporters that the decision to expand is not one that was taken overnight. "The idea of a South campus did not arise just so. These ideas were being mooted in 2006, 2007," he said.

When I became principal, I had indicated to the campus at a board meeting that this was one of my objectives. We have been doing our studies quietly to move in this area. Some have moved east, we are moving south."

Sankat added, "We are committed to this vision which is at the heart of our expansion into South Trinidad and which underpins the imminent establishment of a flagship Faculty of Law in the South Campus in Debe...to be able to reach all students no matter where they live and to provide them with the opportunity for personal and professional advancement."

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on Tuesday that the sod-turning ceremony for the campus will take place on February 24, near to the Debe High School. The date has symbolical significance for Persad-Bissessar. That's the date in 2009 on which he became leader of the opposition.

Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal rebuked Rowley for giving the South Campus a thumbs down saying it will allow people in the area to  get easier access to quality education so Debe will no longer be known only as a place to make "doubles, phulourie and saheena".