Construction of new university dorm should start by July

Construction is expected to commence on a 97-room dorm at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies by July.

Saying ground had already been broken at the site, which will house the Clarendon Student Housing Complex, Campus Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor the Most Honourable Eudine Barriteau revealed the university was currently looking at bids for the project.

Delivering her annual report to the UWI Cave Hill Council yesterday, she stated the multi-million dollar investment project would help attract more overseas students to the campus.

“The additional combination supports the campus’ strategic initiative of attracting regional and international students through the successful marketing of its programme. Under the expert guidance of the Caribbean Development Bank’s unit of Private/Public Partnership (PPP) we are currently evaluating the bids from local companies to construct a student accommodation block to house 97 students through a PPP on a build, operate, lease and transfer, BOLT, basis.

“We anticipate we will start no later than July this year and the block will incorporate renewable energy features, upgraded suites, so that they will be features such as study areas on each floor, inclusion of single and double ensuite units as well as the provision of AC in bedrooms. With two Halls of residence, the area will be the Clarendon Student Housing Complex, comprising the Keith Hunte Hall, and the new hall of residence,” she outlined.

The Principal also highlighted several plans in the works to further expand the offerings of the campus.

“The Campus is reviewing the first draft of the legal document enabling it to establish a charity to be known as the Cave Hill University Hospital. This will enable the Government of Barbados to vest 70 percent of the St. Joseph Hospital lands in this charitable entity, called the Cave Hill University Hospital. For the Campus it enables us to operate a hospital to pursue the goal of delivering the highest quality of health care and superior clinical outcomes while advancing medical research and education,” she highlighted. (JMB)