THE University of the West Indies (UWI) says it plans to reconstruct the current hospital facility at Mona into a modern 1,000-bed hospital, up from 500 beds, to facilitate more clinical space and modern operating theatres, along with other major projects on the campus that will transform the university.

The projected $40-billion reconstruction project is part of a $70-billion memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed recently by the university and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which is expected to solidify the university’s 2017 vision that includes projects valued at $60 and $70 billion.

According to Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI, Mona, Professor Archibald McDonald, the vision sees the university being globally recognised as a regionally integrated, innovative, internationally competitive university, “deeply rooted in all aspects of Caribbean development and committed to serving the diverse people of the region and beyond”.

“The university has been strategically positioning itself for significant development that will redound to the benefit of students, faculty and the Caribbean region as a whole. We are also a growing institution, moving from 33 students in 1948 to over 15,000 today. So we have to plan for the future and we want first-class facilities,” he added.

McDonald said that the university is desirous of rebuilding the current hospital facility into a modern 1,000 bed hospital — coming from 500 beds — which would facilitate more clinical spaces and modern operating theatres.

“This is really close to my heart and will enhance clinical training to support my vision of delivering a medical programme which is able to compete with the very best programmes in the world,” Professor McDonald stated.

The professor was responsible for the establishment of the first Accident and Emergency Department in Jamaica at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in 1993, and served as CEO of the hospital in 2007 and has a strong record of work in trauma, hospital emergency services, university administration and medical education.

The portfolio of infrastructural projects include the development of a student centre, a residential complex, a new hotel, the redevelopment and rebuilding of the U HWI, and a co-generation plant.

The MOU also incorporates the total reconstruction of the existing residential complex for faculty members. This could include various classes of housing ranging, including stand-alone houses, townhouses and apartments which be offered to junior and senior staff as well as to members of the diplomatic community and any other activities as agreed by the parties.

The UWI commenced the process of constructing a co-generation plant, with the cooling component of the plant already being operational. The university has spent to date US$6 million on the plant.

“The university is desirous of an entity reimbursing these funds and to complete the plant by the installation of the engines to generate 10 Mega Watt of energy. It is envisioned that the investor will then operate the facility for an extended period until a previously agreed to rate of return has been met. In the end the university will benefit from lower electricity bills,” Professor McDonald said.