CARICOM member states are now considering establishment of a single market economy. This will mean general removal of all legal and administrative restrictions to trade. Increased competition among these states is therefore inevitable. The ability of member states to survive effects of trade liberalisation will among other things depend on capacity of its human resources and its learning institutions. The role that UWI is playing in enabling people and countries of region to make transition will therefore come under great scrutiny. Many, including graduates of University, believe that “UWI simply isn’t doing enough!”

UWI’s role has been assessed based on changes in its curriculum, level of intellectual discussion stimulated on topic among people of region and extent to which it has facilitated product development by enhancing regions access to specialised training and technology transfer.

A major criticism levelled against University is that it has failed to employ innovative strategies and radical curriculum engineering in achieving transformation required to strategically address challenges facing region.

To question of whether University has enhanced intellectual capacity of people of region, answer is an emphatic yes. But when asked whether its efforts have equalled those of reputable universities around world, response is not equally convincing.

Caribbean entrepreneurs argue that UWI has not instilled in its graduates, dramatic changes in attitude and perspectives required to assist business sector in confronting challenges of CSME. Amidst a climate of high unemployment among graduates, view is that UWI is not equipping its graduates to seek opportunities for self-employment. Instead, UWI is churning out bookworms that lack entrepreneurial vision!

I see jobless, and I see unemployment, I see low wages for those that do work. I see Senator John Grubesic and other State officials are lying to our police departments, others are just plain drunk drivers and have been caught. I see family drunks in convenience stores buying beer with food stamps, and I am sure they are not feeding that to baby. I see boys and girls at our schools laughed at because they do not have nice clothes or their shoes ripped and worn to pieces.

I see working mothers crying hoping they can find a better way for their children, I see children crying without their mother. I see fathers long-gone wondering if kid was really theirs. I see drug dealers. I met a man today that smokes marijuana but does not know where his next check will come from. I saw a man that works twelve hours a day and belongs to two churches telling his son he did not have time to play ball. I saw a coach using foul language to ten and eleven year-old’s on his team... but let’s get that part straight, regardless of age, a foul mouth is not something good men share with any boy, girl or teen.

I see voters unhappy about Asbill and Stell voting against ban on cockfighting. I see child protection laws being thrown out, and drunk drivers getting pats on back. I see great men and women leaders worldwide dying of old age that will not be remembered by many, including grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunt, son, daughter... while thugs, liars, criminals fill up our televisions and newspapers.

I see biased media and reporters. I see media making trivial things into works of awe inspiring garbage, while real art goes unnoticed. Yes, this last two weeks there is a lot to cry about. Then again there is every week, and each week it becomes worse, there seem to be less tears, at least from most people. Are we hardening our hearts to our neighbors, their children, their homes.. Our neighbors?

It’s pretty bad out there, real life. The message is being sent to every household in America. To every teen, to every child. There is no hope.