Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Sonia Mahon; Pro-Vice Chancellor, Undergraduate Studies, UWI, Professor Alan Cobley; and Lecturer in Sociology, UWI, Cave Hill Campus and CARICOM Commissioner on Marijuana, Dr. Alana Griffith, listen to the questions posed by various members of the audience at the Marijuana Symposium under the theme of ‘Perpetual Problem of Potential Problem Solver for Barbados’ held at the 3W’s Oval on Thursday.
Cobley: University’s role is to inform public debate
Sun, 09/25/2016 - 12:00am
By:
Patricia Thangaraj
ONE of the roles of good universities regardless of where they are situated in the world is to stimulate public debate on a variety of issues affecting their respective countries.
This is according to Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Undergraduate Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Professor Alan Cobley, who delivered remarks at the Marijuana Symposium under the theme of ‘Perpetual Problem of Potential Problem Solver for Barbados’ held at the 3W’s Oval recently.
He said that one such debate here in this island should centre around the advantages and disadvantages of decriminalising marijuana and this is where the UWI comes in.
“Here in Barbados the debate is also ramping up. Just a few days ago, the Attorney General indicated that before there could be any move to liberalise the law on marijuana use here, there had to be a clear understanding of the potential effects of any such move on our society. This is where the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill comes in.”
In fact, the Cave Hill campus has already led the charge in this regard on a number of areas, said the Pro-Vice Chancellor.
“Good universities the world over have a responsibility to inform public debate with the most up-to-date scientific knowledge, produced as a result of cutting-edge research. In fact, the UWI at Cave Hill has been doing exactly that in recent years, informing public debate and policy decisions in Barbados on a wide range of important issues.
“Recent examples include world-leading work on Diabetes and other Chronic Diseases; the UWI Task Force established to counter the threat of the Zika virus led by Cave Hill’s Deputy Principal Professor Landis; the recent symposium on meeting the challenges posed to our beaches by the Sargassum seaweed; critical work on environmental sustainability, food security, renewal energy. Important work is going on at Cave Hill in all these areas – and in many others – right now.”
He stated that this symposium is yet another example of the Campus’ efforts to encourage public debate on matters that affect the country.
“This symposium, therefore, is an outstanding example of how a good university should work – informing public debate on an important developmental issue for our country through measured and objective scientific discourse, informed by cutting-edge research. The UWI is proud to be playing its part.”