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As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread worldwide, creating grave health and economic challenges, the Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to its impact. However, the pandemic has given rise to many areas for collaboration among countries and agencies in the region.

Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Practice, Global Affairs of The UWI observed that the unfortunate challenge has actually brought the region closer together, noting that a number of coordinating meetings are taking place among regional institutions. He stated, “The existence and operation of regional institutions have made an important contribution to the fight against COVID-19 and this augers well for a more coordinated Caribbean-wide regional approach.” Ambassador Bernal chaired a Vice-Chancellor’s Forum hosted by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) on Friday, March 20, themed, Caribbean Unity or Plurality—The Regional Response To COVID-19. The virtual event which was the third on COVID-19, and initiated by The UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, featured regional experts in a discussion on various national policies and partnerships in dealing with the virus across the Caribbean.

Dr. Douglas Slater, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development started the discussion with an overview of some of the meetings organised by CARICOM to date. He assured that the organisation has been working as best as possible to have a coordinated approach, while respecting the rights of the member states to take individual action. Commenting on how countries in the region have been responding to the virus pandemic, he said, “We’ve seen very strong unity and the need for it. If it wasn’t there before we need it now.”

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UWI Climbs to Top 4% in World Ranking

Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Monday, August 19, 2019—After its excellent 2018 debut in the Times Higher Education (THE) Latin America University Rankings, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has climbed even higher in the 2019 report published by the prestigious UK-based ranking agency.

The THE’s recently published rankings for the Caribbean and Latin America show the continued improvement of The UWI, as it placed 32nd among the 150 best ranked universities across Latin America and the Caribbean—compared to 37th last year.

The UWI remains the number 1 ranked university in the Caribbean. This ranking is impressive given that the region has over 200 registered universities. Furthermore, The UWI has improved its position within the top 3% of universities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Again, the ranking stands out within a network of over 2,000 registered universities.

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UWI New Campus Accepts First Students

THE University of the West Indies (The UWI) Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda, officially welcomed 147 students at its inaugural matriculation ceremony, recently.

Vice-chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who presided over the ceremony formally accepting the students into the university, said history was made with the induction of the first student cohort at the new campus.

“I am a historian and, therefore, I am seized by the historical significance of this moment. Your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren 100 years from now will reflect on this moment,” he said.

Expounding on the social and economic growth and impact that The UWI intends to bring to Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Eastern Caribbean, Beckles issued a challenge to all involved in the work of the Five Islands Campus “to locate at least one (UWI) graduate in every household in Antigua and Barbuda”.

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