The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus (formerly Open Campus), is saddened by the passing of Mr Fazal Karim, former Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training (MTEST), Trinidad and Tobago.
Former Minister Karim was known as a visionary and transformational leader with over twenty years of performance based on solid educational, training and experiential learning. He was highly successful in leading and managing teams of professionals in several large-scale, long-term projects, including the development of labour market information, industry standards, quality assurance and accreditation, national apprenticeships and information technology.
Mr Karim provided invaluable service to The UWI as Business Development Manager at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus and as Deputy Director of the former UWI School of Continuing Studies. His UWI Global Campus colleagues in Trinidad and Tobago recalled that “Mr Karim joined The UWI Extra Mural as a Centre Coordinator at the centre which was located at the Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive School. He was responsible for starting the Centre and began by offering courses in the Technical Vocational area such as automotive tune-ups, welding, auto air conditioning, basic house wiring and electrical installation, bread, cakes & pastries, garment cutting and sewing… a few of a compendium of skills training courses available at the Centre. Shortly thereafter he expanded the offering to professional, administrative, and business courses to assist those in corporate and entrepreneurial spaces”.
They noted that “from a small centre with a couple of courses on offer, Mr Karim grew the location into The UWI Extra Mural flagship for adult literacy, learning and skills development. In doing so he provided teachers and skilled professionals with employment, additional income and a chance to share their expertise and skills with the wider society. Further, he gave skills to those seeking employment and a chance to earn additional certifications for those looking to boost their careers or resumes. The growth of the Centre acted as an economic engine for the surrounding community as well, providing revenue to local small businesses and a chance to grow their businesses. The success of the Centre under Fazal Karim’s visionary leadership meant that it was feasible to add similar Centres across Trinidad & Tobago leading to greater training and educational opportunities for its citizens".
Over the years he remained a friend of The UWI and in 2014, Mr Karim, during his tenure as Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training lobbied and received approval from Cabinet to construct The UWI Open Campus Esmond D. Ramesar Centre. At the Turning of the Sod and Plaque Unveiling Ceremony to mark the start of construction, Professor Emerita Hazel Simmons-McDonald, former Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus in her remarks stated "The Centre would not have come to fruition without the relentless efforts of Minister Karim who had the experience of working with Esmond Ramesar and understood and shared the vision of what he hoped to achieve. Through his efforts and considerable support, the Open Campus of the University is positioned to harness innovative approaches, strategies and technological tools and use them in the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago to help them achieve those transformations that they consider most necessary to their continued success and prosperity". At that Ceremony, she thanked Minister Karim for his unwavering support in bringing the vision to reality.
His former colleagues at The UWI Open Campus further state, "Fazal Karim always understood the importance of skills training and digital skills, and he envisioned the continued expansion of the Open Campus to reach underserved communities across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region”.
“The news of the passing of Mr Fazal Karim pained me a lot, as I was not aware he was ailing”, lamented Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Francis O. Severin. He continued, “It therefore came as a shock to many of us. I am however reassured by the fact that we will do all in our power to safeguard and preserve his legacy which is immeasurably consistent with the roots of the School of Continuing Studies, that is, engaging and empowering the helpless, leaving no one behind, and bringing hope where there is despair. The impact that he has had is priceless and imponderable. Like other School of Continuing Studies’ devotees who have departed this corporeal life, we pay tribute to Mr Karim and thank him for breaking grounds for those of us who are his successors. We remain in his debt”. The Global Campus Senior Management Team and colleagues with whom he worked at the former UWI Open Campus, extend sincere condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of former Minister Fazal Karim and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. May he rest in eternal peace.
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