Life
University of the West Indies (Mona) to commission new state-of-the-art medical school
But perhaps even more impressive is the use of numerous cost-cutting and energy-saving mechanisms in the building. A greenhouse forms the basis for a huge co-generation electricity plant which will help power the entire facility, in addition to the University’s new law faculty, the Department of Management Studies and the Mona School of Business, as well as a call center which is being built nearby.
The facility will also harvest rain water for the flushing of toilets, and the installation of specially designed louvers on the outer parts of the building to protect it against falling trees and other debris during natural disasters.
The building is also equipped with elevators, is wheelchair-accessible, and has a pool to assist in the rehabilitation of persons doing physiotherapy.
“This building represents a massive investment by the university to give our students state-of-the-art exposure in medicine,” said acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Professor Horace Fletcher during an exclusive tour of the facility by reporters recently.
The building was designed by Jamaican architect Robert Woodstock, and will have various levels for anatomy, dentistry, bio-chemistry, forensic science, physical therapy, physiology and pharmacology. There will also be a museum at the front of the building for the benefit of visitors.
With construction almost completed, Professor Fletcher said the University of the West Indies intends to aggressively pursue more international students.
“We have the best facilities; so now we can attract people from Africa, the UK, the US, Canada, and as far as Asia,” he said, before adding, “The possibilities for studies here are enormous.”
