Report on Graduate Studies

Initial Observations It is probably a good idea to have the monitoring of indicators done by an independent unit with no vested interest in making the unit being assessed look good, but rather with a vested interest only in ensuring efficient and effective execution of the strategic plan The reports prepared by the PVC Planning & Development go a long way towards achieving this and poses as a consequence of the analyses done, some pertinent questions which need answering.

OBSERVATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THEGRADUATE SCHOOL: If numbers are correct, applications to: Mona: 23.6% CHill: 37.5% St.Aug: 58% While admissions to: Mona: 17% CHill: 35% St.Aug: 13% So that with respect to strategic target intake: Mona: 30% CHill: 9% St.Aug: 17%

QUESTIONS: Why has the Graduate enrolment not grown in the manner required by the strategic plan? Were the targets set according to realistic expectations in the first place? What are the factors that have to be taken into account in predicting a desirable growth rate? Is the fall-off a consequence of failure of the Graduate School to take appropriate action or due to uncontrollable circumstances?

Observations (cont’d) Unemployed graduates were at: Mona: 11.3% CHill: 16.8% St.Aug: 9.4% With unemployed but pursuing further studies at: Mona: 4.5% CHill: 12.0% St.Aug: 5.8% So that % of unemployed graduates studying is: Mona: 40% CHill: 62% St.Aug: 71%

QUESTIONS: (cont’d) Why are most unemployed graduates doing further study at CHill and St.Augustine but <50% at Mona are pursuing postgraduate studies? This last question may suggest that a critical factor governing the pursuit of graduate studies at Mona is the ability to finance these studies.

Observations (cont’d) Selectivity was monitored but perhaps a better measure of selectivity combining rejection rate with the gap between the mean score for applicants and that for students admitted. Acceptance rates (termed Selectivity) were about: Mona: 67% CHill: 62% St.Aug: 80% But St.Aug could be admitting better students on the average because they are receiving more qualified applicants.

Observations (cont’d) Sources for new Graduate Students were analysed and indicated that recruits came primarily from the home campus (2007/08): Mona: 65% CHill: 60% St.Aug: 57% With other UWI campuses/institutions combined usually in second place (UTech intervenes at Mona). International recruitment is usually small but there are good signs at St. Augustine and Cave Hill with 20 and 6 international graduate students recruited.

Graduate Scholarships Finding financial support for Graduate Students and their work is one of the most challenging problems facing the School. There are great disparities between the Campuses which need urgent institutional consideration if we are to function as a single institution with common goals.

No. Scholarships Available by Campus

Value of UWI Scholarships (US$)

Numbers of Research Students

Available Funds per FT student US$

Scholarships (cont’d) Improved, more equitable scholarship support will not on its own improve throughput. Support for the execution of their research programmes needs to be improved A system which assures that supervisors who take on students have the wherewithal to support the work of these students and which will rationally regulates supervisory loads, will be necessary.

Observations (cont’d) Regarding our main outputs, our graduates from our higher degree programmes, less was said, and we will try to fill in here.

Other programmes (Cave Hill)

No. Graduating - MONA

No. Graduating - Mona

No. Graduating – St. Augustine

Rate of High Honours – Cave Hill The rate of award of good honors was assessed for undergraduate but not for graduate students.

Rate of High Honours - MONA

Rate of High Honours – St Augustine

Comment: These Figures, invariably <30% and usually <15% are nowhere near the 50-90% quoted for undergraduate programmes in the benchmark institutions, but comparable figures will have to be gleaned for the graduate programmes.

OTHER ISSUES Structure of School Manual of Policies & Procedures; Regulations Quality Assurance Throughput/ Supervision Environment: E-Space; Common core programmes; Departmental accommodation.

TARGETS 2009/10 All graduate programmes are reviewed on a 3-5 year cycle in conjunction with UG and other activities of Department/ Unit/ Centre where appropriate. All Campus Offices of Graduate Studies have been audited and improved along lines required by the audit results. All supervisors have attended or contributed to workshop(s) on supervisorship/ mentorship. All courses/lecturers are subject to assessment by students & the data are compiled, circulated and followed by action according to established protocols. Staff-Student liaison committees are established and functional in all Faculties, with minutes and documented follow-up referred to the Deputy Principal and Campus Coordinator. Indicators of status and progress re the Graduate School are clearly recorded and routinely collected, analysed and acted upon at Campus and Centre levels.

TARGETS 2009/10 Principal’s Awards for Graduate Supervision and Best Theses are established on each Campus, along with a Vice Chancellor’s Award for the best across the University. Adequate Scholarship support has been identified for local, regional and international students and a performance-based system for providing adequate funding for graduate research support to supervisors. Core courses on Research Skills, Writing for publication, Proposal Writing and Presentation Skills have been developed in each Faculty or on each Campus as appropriate, which allow graduate students to work together and interact with each other but which also allow students to independently pursue ongoing concretization of skills. All examination results and Dissertation/Thesis reports are submitted on schedule, having, where necessary, been suitably cross-checked and validated.

TARGETS 2009/10 All campuses hold welcome and orientation ceremonies for incoming graduate students. A University-wide, user-friendly website has been developed which: Provides graduate students with a guide to the timelines for effective progress through their programme Allows graduate student/supervisor interchanges to occur in a transparent and traceable fashion. Allows graduate students to readily communicate with each other and to find students and staff with similar or complementary interests/expertise Provides ready access to information re scholarships and other funding opportunities, available courses and enrichment programmes and other opportunities.