News Release issued July4,2008
From Sunday 13th to 18th July, 2008 hundreds of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Medical Alumni will convene at the UWI Medical Alumni Association (UWIMAA) Ninth International Reunion Conference in Jamaica, under the theme “UWI: Caribbean Impact, Global Reach”.
The conference coincides with the UWI Convocation Week at the UWI Mona Campus which celebrates the University’s 60th anniversary.
Medical Alumni from all over the globe, including North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Caribbean are coming to the conference to explore topics as varied as AIDS, neurology, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, chronic diseases, therapies for breast cancer and sickle cell disease.
The UWIMAA conference features a scientific programme as well as a full social programme spanning an Awards Banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus, Dean’s Reception, Tea at Strawberry Hill and “Old Time Smoker” the legendary concert of performing medics.
Following the start of the scientific programme, to be chaired by Professor Henry Fraser at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Ocho Rios on the 13th and 14th July, 2008, the physicians move to the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston on the 15th for the Formal Opening Ceremony.
Guest Speakers include Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, The Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh while the Hon. Rudyard Spencer, Minister of Health & Environment will start the Kingston leg of the Scientific Sessions at 8:00 am on July 16th. The Awards Banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus on July 18th will be addressed by the Hon. Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor, UWI and himself a distinguished medical alumnus.
Presentations will be made by distinguished UWI alumni as well as graduates from celebrated overseas institutions such as The Toronto Western Hospital and Lions Gate Hospital, Canada; University of Western Ontario; the University of Manchester and the St. Michael’s & Southmead Hospitals, UK; the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University, the Tampa Bay Heart Centre and Johns Hopkins University, USA.
For further information on the Conference please contact the UWI 60th Anniversary Secretariat at uwi60thsecretariat@uwimona.edu.jm; or (Tel.) 876 977 0014, Ext. 2525; or UWI 60th Anniversary Secretariat, Office of the Vice Chancellor, UWI Mona, Jamaica.
About the UWIMAA
The first chapter of the UWI Medical Alumni Association (UWIMAA) was formed in Barbados in 1988 and was followed by groupings in the USA, Canada, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. These chapters have contributed much to the Secretariat with the USA and Canadian chapters providing funds for the Secretariat and other chapters regularly contributing to the provision of scholarships and grants in Jamaica to students in need. The Association’s main activities have been reunions and scientific conferences held every two years in several different Caribbean countries. “The success of these”, according to UWIMAA Chair, Dr. Michael Hoyos, “is measured in our comradeship and Professional relations that cross oceans and national borders”.
About UWI 60th Anniversary
UWI Vice Chancellor, Prof. E. Nigel Harris, is coordinating UWI staff, students and alumni to organise region-wide signature 60th Anniversary events. The Anniversary Celebrations were launched with a formal Opening Ceremony on Saturday 12th January, 2008 at UWI Cave Hill, Barbados. On July 12th to 19th, 2008, there will be a special Convocation Week at UWI Mona, Jamaica, which will include an official reception hosted by UWI Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, and a formal banquet to be attended by several regional heads of state. As the culmination of the yearlong celebrations, a gala black-tie dinner will be hosted by UWI St. Augustine Campus on December 12th, 2008. Proceeds from all UWI 60th Anniversary initiatives will be channelled into a special UWI Regional Endowment Fund, which will facilitate infrastructural projects across the region. For more information on the UWI 60th Anniversary, please visit www.uwi.edu/60 or contact the UWI 60th Anniversary Secretariat at uwi60thsecretariat@uwimona.edu.jm; or (Tel.) 876 977 0014, Ext. 2525; or UWI 60th Anniversary Secretariat, Office of the Vice Chancellor, UWI Mona, Jamaica.
