The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the General Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (OAS) through the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, August 5, 2016. This is a symbolic gesture demonstrating the parties’ commitment to the implementation of a project entitled, “Expanding the Socio-Economic Potential of Cultural Heritage in the Caribbean. Phase II: Implementation of Project Components”.
Both parties in signing the MOU recognised that “cultural development is a key element for social and economic development of peoples” and thus “the importance of acknowledging, preserving and promoting the heritage, traditions and ancestral knowledge” in order to ensure “better transmission to present and future generations”.
The new MOU between The UWI Open Campus and OAS will facilitate the development and implementation of two online courses to enhance the curriculum available in the area of heritage education in the Caribbean region. The two courses are Values-based Heritage Site Management and Museum Conservation Skills.
Dr. Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Open Campus, in commenting on the MOU stated, “The University of the West Indies Open Campus is pleased to partner with the Organisation of American States through the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development noting that the GS/OAS will make 50 scholarships to qualifying students”.
The MOU was signed by Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan and Dr. Longsworth. In attendance at the signing were Ms. Celia Toppin, Project Manager (Cultural Heritage), Culture & Tourism Section, Department of Economic Development Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, Dr. Monica Masino, Programme Coordinator, Programme Planning Department, Academic Programming and Delivery Division of the Open Campus, and Mrs. Wendy Nurse-Weekes, Executive Assistant to the Open Campus Principal.
