Patrick Watson received his PhD in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics from the Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) in June 1980, and joined the staff of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as Lecturer in Economics in September 1980. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in 1992 and was appointed Professor of Applied Economics in 2008. He served as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences from 1991 to 1995, and thereafter as Dean from 1995 to 2003. He then served as Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) from 2003 to 2017, and as University Director from 2008 to 2013, and from 2015 to 2017. In all, Patrick Watson served for 37 uninterrupted years in various capacities at the UWI.
Patrick Watson co-authored two books, and was joint editor of three others. He authored or co-authored forty peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and many technical reports. He supervised to completion six PhD theses, 13 M.Phil/MSc (econ) theses and 12 M.Sc projects. Many of his students went on to hold prominent positions in the public and private sector, locally, regionally and internationally.
As Dean Patrick, Watson took the lead in the introduction of introduction of Distance Education programmes to the Faculty and, indeed, to the University, with B.Sc. (Management Studies) by distance. He also took the lead in the introduction of revenue generating activity such as the Summer Programme (including introduction of Certificate and Diploma programmes unique to Summer Programme), Executive Training programmes that have been conducted throughout the Caribbean, Faculty outreach in the form of the deepening and widening of Computer Training for the wider public, including courses in computer repair, A+, MCSE and others.
He initiated and concluded articulation agreements to include the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (St. Lucia) and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (St. Kitts). He led the reform of degree programmes to allow for greater interdisciplinary study within and without the Faculty. He took the Faculty into the computer age by assuring the full computerisation of the Faculty, including individual computers for academic staff members, hardware and software for students and administrative staff.
He was responsible in large measure for the physical expansion of Faculty, to include a new administration building, and the extension of the Computer Laboratory.
He encouraged the widening and deepening of graduate programme, with greater emphasis on research degrees and sponsorship of graduate students. During the period of his tenure, the Department of Economics graduated its first Ph. D student, and there was a marked increase in the registration of M. Phil and Ph. D. students throughout the Faculty.
As SALISES Director, Patrick Watson consolidated and rationalized the newly introduced MPhil/PhD programme, which resulted in graduation of the first PhDs from SALISES (St Augustine), increased the intake of MPhil and PhD candidates, and upgrade of MPhil candidates to PhD.
Under his leadership, M.Sc in Development Statistics was introduced, based on needs assessment of CARICOM region and demand of National Statistical Organizations. He introduced the very popular SALISES Forum, which is a major outreach activity that deals with topics of national, regional and international interest.
Under his watch, there was an increased publication of staff in international peer reviewed journals, so much so that the SALISES (SA) won the 2012 and 2016 Award for the most productive research department.
Under Patrick Watson’s leadership, the SALISES organized many conferences, seminars and workshops, in particular the SALISES Annual Conference 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2017. Directed preparations for Quality Assurance Study of the SALISES (3 Campuses), 2009-10.
The SALISES, under his leadership, won and successfully completed several research projects, in particular two major ones (C-CHANGE, CAN$ 2 million, and CASCADE, Euro 500,000).
Patrick Watson served as a reviewer for several academic journals, including Applied Economics, Applied Financial Economics, Journal of Developing Areas, Social & Economic Studies, Journal of Eastern Caribbean Studies, Journal of Business, Finance and Economics in Emerging Economies, Journal of Development Studies. UWI Press, Caribbean Studies. He regular attended, and presented papers, at major Conferences (at least one per year since 1983).
Patrick Watson served on several boards and committees, locally and internationally. He was, in particular, a Director of the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, Deputy Chairman, Regulated Industries Commission of Trinidad & Tobago, Chairman, North West Regional Health Authority, a Senator in the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago, Chairman, Trinidad & Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission, and Member of the Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions.
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