By Quetya Aubin
In a context of global changes accelerated by digital technology and persistent local crises, the book University governance in the Caribbean (2025), directed by Vijonet Déméro, Beguens Théus and Pierre Michelot Jean Claude, imposes itself as a strategic compass. Resulting from the actions of an international workshop held in Port-au-Prince in November 2024, this collective volume brings together the voices of academic leaders and experts to rethink the Caribbean university, with a particular emphasis on the case of Haiti.
Understanding University Governance
Before entering the analysis, the central concept should be defined. University governance is not just administrative management; It refers to all the structures, processes and rules by which higher education institutions (HEIs) are directed and monitored. In scientific literature, it oscillates between « Republic of the Scholars » – traditional model based on faculty autonomy and collegiality – and « Corporate governance », inspired by private management, focusing on efficiency, accountability and economic performance.
Critical Analysis of Contributions
1. Diagnosis of higher education in Haiti. Yves Fausner Paul points out a lucid and worrying fact: less than 15% of Haitian IES have modern infrastructure, and 90% of students do not exceed the undergraduate level. The analysis rightly points out that the system is saturated with graduates, often disconnected from the real needs of the market, while only 7% of professors hold a doctorate. This contribution is essential to understand the gap between educational provision and the requirements for sustainable national development.
2. Modernisation and legal framework. Jean Judson Joseph describes the efforts of the Ministry of National Education (MENFP) to regulate a sector marked by anarchy. The critical analysis here lies in the tension between the desire for regulation (accreditation, legal framework) and the persistent arbitrariness of many private institutions operating without supervision. It is a plea for a state that not only monitors, but actively evaluates and supports.
3. The digital turning point. The digital block highlights the urgent need for a transition to « all digital ». Patrick Attie identifies a cultural resistance to change and a blatant lack of cybersecurity. Wilfix Sagard and Jean Claude complement this vision by showing that digital is not a luxury, but a tool of fairness for the countries of the South. The analysis shows that without robust technological infrastructure, the Haitian university will remain marginalized in global knowledge networks.
4. Governance models. Rector Jacky Lumarque offers a profound theoretical reflection on the choice between the traditional academic model and the managerial model. His analysis suggests that the modern university must find a hybrid balance: to preserve the independence of research while adopting institutional efficiency standards. For Haiti, this hybridization is crucial to attract financing while remaining a critical place of thought.
5. Financing and cooperation. Rector Vijonet Déméro addresses the « War nerve » : financing. It advocates diversification of revenue sources, including through scientific diplomacy and cross-sectoral partnerships. Critical analysis points out that Caribbean universities can no longer rely solely on government or tuition fees, but must become economic actors capable of valuing their expertise.
6. Social responsibility and usefulness. Finally, Beguens Théus places the university in the heart of the city. He insisted on the « Social responsibility » The university must train committed citizens and respond to the concrete problems of Caribbean society. It is a constructive critique of an academic ivory tower that would isolate the suffering and challenges of the people.
Issues for Haiti and the Caribbean
The book concludes on the need for enhanced regional cooperation to counter brain drain. For Haiti, university governance is an issue of national survival: it must create local knowledge « anchored, relevant and attractive » to retain talent and produce solutions adapted to local realities.
In short, this book is not only a state of affairs, but a manifesto for a more efficient, connected and, above all, more useful Caribbean university for its people.
References
Déméro, V., Théus, B., & Jean Claude, P. M. (Dirs.). (2025). University governance in the Caribbean. Quebec, Canada: UNUFOCAD Editions. https://hal.science/hal-05138837v1
Demero, V., & Sagard, W. (2025). Executive report of the workshop on university governance in the Caribbean. In V. Déméroet al. (Dirs.), University governance in the Caribbean. UNUFOCAD editions. https://hal.science/hal-05138837v1
Lumarque, J. (2025). University governance in the Caribbean: between the scholar republic and corporate governance. In V. Déméro et al. (Dirs.), University governance in the Caribbean. UNUFOCAD editions. https://hal.science/hal-05138837v1
Maltais, M. (2025). Preface. In V. Déméro et al. (Dirs.), University governance in the Caribbean. UNUFOCAD editions. https://hal.science/hal-05138837v1
Paul, Y.F. (2025). Diagnosis of higher education in Haiti. In V. Déméro et al. (Dirs.), University governance in the Caribbean. UNUFOCAD editions. https://hal.science/hal-05138837v1
Theus, B. (2025). Scientific and social utility of the workshop on university governance in the Caribbean. In V. Déméro et al. (Dirs.), University governance in the Caribbean. UNUFOCAD editions. https://hal.science/hal-05138837v1
Quetya AUBIN
Haiti-Antilles Pole, Haiti Science and Society (HaSci-So)
Team of Scientific Partners for Research Communication (E-PSi-CoRe)
