THE University of the West Indies (UWI) campus in Debe is to be turned into an offshore medical school.
This was revealed by Minister of Education Nyan Gadsby-Dolly in answer to a question from Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moolial in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Gadsby-Dolly said, “The University of the West Indies has proposed the repurposing of the Debe/Penal Campus to establish a Global School of Medicine and Offshore Medical School within the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus located at the UWI South Campus.”
She said, “The UWI’s proposal involves the university raising financing for the project via a public bond of $335 million and financing from the government for a current expenditure until the proposed offshore medical school becomes profitable and generates positive cash flow.”
Gadsby-Dolly said, “We are awaiting further details from UWI St Augustine on what is required from the government for the 335 million bond financing and whether this bond has received all of the requisite internal approvals within the UWI system.”
Asked by Dr Moonilal when it would be opened, she said, “In terms of a time frame, once we have completed our discussions with UWI and we are sure that everything is above board and the way it’s supposed to be, then we will proceed. So, I don’t want to tie you to a time frame at this time because the discussions are not advanced to that stage just yet.”
