Stephen Vasciannie
EVERY SO often Wilmot Perkins refers to the University of the West Indies (UWI) as the "intellectual ghetto". On at least one occasion, the publisher of this venerable newspaper has criticised the output of the academics of that same university. Two weeks ago, The Gleaner reported that Don Robotham, a former Pro Vice Chancellor at the same univer-sity, made critical comments about the university.
If criticisms are coming at the University of the West Indies from directions that may generally be regarded as from the right and from the left, and from within and without, they merit further consideration. The University of the West Indies does, in fact, have the means to respond to these criticisms, and from time to time, does respond to specific criticisms.
Against the background of the criticisms that have been advanced, however, I wish to offer some reflections on the nature of the academic life, for, it seems to me that some of the criticisms of 'the University' actually go to the question of what the wider society is entitled to expect from its academics.
INTELLECTUAL GHETTO
When Wilmot Perkins refers to the 'intellectual ghetto', I believe he is being critical of what he perceives to be the failure of UWI academics to enhance our understanding of the society in which we live. Is this fair? University academics are specialists in various fields, and I believe these academics should be allowed to determine their own research agendas. When that is done, the academics will be able to make the most meaningful contribution that they can to the wider society.
The problem, I think, with the Perkins categorisation is that it assumes that everyone at the university is an expert in economics, politics or sociology, and so, Perkins does not bring himself to consider whether UWI academics are making valid and valuable contributions to fields such as medicine, chemistry, physics, the humanities and so on. The 'intellectual ghetto' title is really a shot at a small number of academics.
UNFORTUNATE DEVELOPMENT
Is it a fair shot at even this small number of academics? There was a time when it was possible to identify an orthodox position within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the UWI. This was a most unfortunate development, and it may well be that the UWI will continue to pay the price for this fact. Some of the main supporters of that orthodoxy - a kind of Marxist-Leninism - have moved on,
others now seem to just cloak their views in other language, and still others may well be unapologetic. But, though the environment has changed, the wider public does not seem to believe this to be so.
One challenge for the university, therefore, must be to change its image within the social sciences. On this point, the Principal at Mona, through the Mona Academic conferences and other means, has tried, and others have tried. But the lingering per-ception remains. Indeed, it remains even though the university has recruited Mr. Seaga as a Distinguished Fellow, and has publicly taken measures that reflect acceptance of a free market approach to education.
In this context, the wider community seems to be saying that the university needs to do more; I think we should pay greater attention to that message. But, even though we must acknowledge that some fathers have eaten sour grapes that have set the children's teeth on edge, there will be instances in which criticisms advanced must be seen as missing the point. When it is said, for example, that the output of the university reflects too heavily an emphasis on slavery studies, this must be answered scientifically and systematically.
FURTHER STUDY
So, members of the university must not be afraid to point out the wealth of studies in other areas; and, at the same time, it must be noted that the phenomenon of slavery merits even further study. As Professor Nettleford has pointed out, those who are driving forward always need to refer to the rearview mirror. I believe Carl Stone once noted that the university, like the wider society, is much given to status over performance - that truth, if it is a truth, may well be linked to the past.
The next time you hear the intellectual ghetto argument, ask Perkins if he has read the recent study on globalisation published by the United Nations Development Fund and the Planning Institute of Jamaica. It is written mainly by UWI academics, and it reflects the full flowering of a wide variety of perspectives. Not quite the output of an intellectual ghetto.
Stephen Vasciannie is a professor at the University of the West Indies and a consultant in the Attorney-General's chambers.
