MONTEGO BAY, St James — The incoming director for The University of the West Indies (UWI) Western Jamaica Campus (WJC) Professor Donovan Campbell has signalled his intent to have the institution work to meet the needs of its environment.

Campbell, who will officially take up the role on August 1, said that the western city, where the campus is based, will be particularly in focus as he seeks to execute the mandate of the fledgling institution.

“Montego Bay is buzzing with possibilities in terms of higher education, in terms of how we can collaborate and work with different stakeholders,” Campbell told the Jamaica Observer.

“I believe that Montego Bay is a unique space, and I believe that the model for WJC that we have out here is a unique model that is fit for purpose to the Montego Bay setting,” added Campbell who headed the university’s Geology Department prior to this appointment.

He will replace Dr Patrick Prendergast, who will return to Kingston to head the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC).

Campbell, who hails from Hanover, believes that the WJC can provide support for the needs of the western end of the island.

“I feel a deep sense of responsibility, a deep sense of commitment to the development cause. Western Jamaica has some unique challenges at the moment, and we believe in the university system that we can be a part of that solution. We must be part of that solution,” declared Campbell as he added that he is excited to be back on the western side of the island and to be involved with the campus.

“I’m buzzing as well, I’m excited. I feel at home and there are so many connections already being made with people who know people, who go to the same school, and so it’s good; but as a university we have to meet the moment,” said Campbell.

The new WJC director believes that the trajectory of growth in the space, especially Montego Bay, matches well with some of the things he has been working on.

“My whole research, my whole background relates to sustainability, climate change adaptation, and so I’m coming to a space where already in the city there is tremendous buy-in,” he said.

“I’m bringing the sustainability aspect of geography, where we can help our city to achieve the sustainable development goals,” Campbell added.

Montego Bay, and the entire western Jamaica, has seen increased development in recent years with the build-out of several infrastructure projects, including hotels.

According to Campbell, this development has to be carefully done and therefore input from a university would be crucial in this regard to stakeholders such as the local municipal corporations.

“We have to become the go-to university for development practitioners in Montego Bay, and so we will establish a strong research platform to support those development needs across the parish.

“Sustainability is a balancing act, balancing economic progress with the prosperity of people, and maintaining the integrity of the environment. Those three pillars are what we keep in mind all the time,” said Campbell who, while underscoring the importance of the university’s contribution to the community, also highlighted some plans for the delivery of educational offerings.

“There is a directive for the university to provide more short cycle courses and programmes. That is a part of the strategic plan of the university for the next phase of its evolution,” noted Campbell.

He explained that while some of these courses will have to be analysed before they are into place, there are some that can be implemented in the short term to meet the needs of the university community.

“It’s a no-regret action to develop a programme around building and construction. It’s a no-regret action to have more short-cycle, medical-type programmes. It’s a no-regret action to have more programmes tailored towards the skills needs of the west,” said Campbell.