A three-member delegation from the University of Massachusetts (UM), Boston visited the campus from September 17-20 to explore the possibility of collaborating with The University of the West Indies. The delegation comprised of Lurlene Van Buren, Study Abroad/Exchange Coordinator; Dr. Gregory Sun, Director, Engineering Department and Dr Orville Wright, Chair Performing Arts Department.

During their two-day visit they met with Interim Campus Principal, Professor Bridget Brereton, representatives from the Faculties of Social Sciences and Engineering as well as the Centre for Creative and Festival Arts. The visit was coordinated by the International Office.

At the Faculty of Engineering, Dean Brian Copeland did a power-point presentation on his Faculty after which discussions revolved around transferring UM Electrical Engineering students to complete their degree at the St. Augustine Campus since their programme only goes to two years. After the formalities, the group was given a pan demonstration as well as tour of the labs containing the G-pan.

At the Centre for Creative and Festival Arts, discussions focused on the exchange of music students. Dr. Wright, a native Trinidadian and a local steelpan adjudicator, felt that it was important for music students at UM to experience our local culture by visiting the pan yards and participating in some of our activities while Mr. Satanand Sharma, Head of the Creative Arts Center indicated that he would like to send some of his students to UM so that they can be exposed to classical music as part of their all round music education.

At the Faculty of Social Sciences the group met with Mrs. Sandra Khan, Admin Assistant; Dr. Linda Hadeed, Head of Mediation Studies; and Dr Onwubiko Agozino, Head of Behavioural Studies. Discussions were held on dispute resolution and mediation studies. Ms. Van Buren indicated that a local Trinidadian, Debra Mendez had graduated from UM after doing mediation studies there. She felt that this connection could result in collaboration in this area and that their Community College might be useful to UWI.