NOTING the importance of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to Jamaica and the region, managing director of the Jamaica National Building Society, Earl Jarrett has expressed disquiet about Government’s policy of reducing funding to the Mona campus.

Jarrett, who was presented with the UWI Alumni Associations’ Pelican Award last Thursday, sought to remind the Government and other administrations in the Caribbean of the importance of UWI graduates to the region’s leadership.

“If we should look at the management structure of most private and public sector entities, we would find that UWI graduates are the ones providing leadership and guidance to these organisations,” Jarrett said.

Adding that five current prime ministers in the region were graduates of the regional institution, Jarrett asserted that without UWI graduates in Jamaica “the public and private sector would certainly come to an absolute halt”.

Jarrett, who also chairs the Jamaica Cancer Society and the Best Care Lodge, in addition to serving on the boards of several companies, indicated misgivings about Government’s policy to reduce funding to the tertiary education sector while boosting funding to the early childhood and primary levels.

“When we hear members of Parliament speaking about cutting back on the university or reshaping the university in any negative way, I believe this university should stand tall and remind them from whence they came,” he said.

He also urged UWI’s leadership and alumni to use their position to influence the direction of the country and the region.

Jarrett, in expressing thanks to the alumni for the award, downplayed his contribution to the public and private sector, saying “I’m just doing my thing.”

The JNBS head was presented with the Pelican Award at the Mona campus’ parade and flag raising ceremony.

UWI principal Professor Gordon Shirley noted that institution’s population had grown from its initial cohort of 33 medical students in 1948 to more than 43,000 spread across its four campuses in 2010.

UWI annual homecoming celebrations and alumni week ended Friday. Mona graduate and Trustees Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware, Dr Patricia Martin-DeLeon was the homecoming honouree.

During the week, the UWI community painted 11 basic and primary schools and established two computer labs in nearby August Town, as part of its outreach activities.