The University of the West Indies (UWI) will allow 200 Haitian university students whose schooling has have been affected by the January 12 earthquake, to complete their degrees at its three campuses.

This is a part of CARICOM's efforts to provide aid to the French-speaking nation following the quake. The initiative was announced by Vice Chancellor of the UWI, Professor E. Nigel Harris, at a recent media clinic hosted by CARICOM.

Professor Harris said the Mona Campus in Jamaica, would accept 100 students, St Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, 75, while the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados would accept 25.

"The idea is that we will concentrate our efforts on those students who are in their last year of their degree programmes and in areas of need, in terms of what they can contribute to Haiti," Professor Harris explained.

Some of the areas of study which, he said, are critical, are agricultural sciences, engineering and library sciences.

The UWI Vice Chancellor disclosed that the regional university would also be looking at ways it could help to frame a broad education policy for Haiti as it seeks to rebuild.

He also made an appeal for other universities in the Spanish and French-speaking Caribbean to accept students wherever possible.

The media clinic was held ahead of the 31st Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government, from July 4 to 7, at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay, St James.

Haiti's reconstruction, climate change, the global economic recession and regional trade are the topics expected to feature prominently at the meeting.