News Releases

The University Archives launches the ‘Elizabeth Williams Reading Room’

For Release Upon Receipt - January 31, 2013

St. Augustine


UWI REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, Jamaica – On January 21, 2013, taking advantage of the presence of persons attending cross campus meetings, the University Archives staged a short ceremony to mark its establishment in its permanent home in the UWI Regional Headquarters Building. Highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a plaque naming the reading room in the Archives in memory of the late Elizabeth Williams, University Archivist from May 2002 until her death in June 2007.  The first West Indian Archivist, she had worked hard for a purpose built archival facility but had died before her dream was realised. The plaque was unveiled by her sister, Miss Grace Williams, and the Vice Chancellor, Professor E Nigel Harris.

Mrs Gloria Barrett –Sobers, who was the University Registrar during Miss Williams’ tenure, and who herself had been a strong advocate for a purpose built archival facility, spoke eloquently about the contribution of the late University Archivist to the University. Tribute to Miss Williams was also paid by the Vice Chancellor.

Among those attending the ceremony were senior University officials, including the University Registrar, Bursar and Librarian, campus librarians, campus records managers and members of the family of the late Elizabeth Williams. 

The following day − January 22, 2013− the Archives hosted its first function in ‘The Elizabeth Williams Reading Room’ in the form of  a lecture/presentation on archival development in the Caribbean region with emphasis on the role of the University of the West Indies. The presentations were by Mrs Sharon Alexander-Gooding, Senior Assistant   Registrar, (Archives & Records), Cave Hill Campus and Dr Stanley Griffin, Assistant Archivist, University   Archives.

Special guest at the function was Professor Emeritus Sir Roy Augier, former Pro Vice-Chancellor and long serving member of the Department of History.  A Citation highlighting his contribution to archival development in the region over the past fifty years was read by Dr Kusha Haraksingh, Chair of the University Archives & Records Management Committee and then presented to him. In response, Sir Roy regaled the audience of over 65 persons with comments and anecdotes relating to events he recalled in his almost 60 years of service to the University.

For further information please contact The Office of Administration (876) 977-2407 ext. 272

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About UWI

Over the last six decades, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged University with over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest and most longstanding higher education provider in the English-speaking Caribbean, with main campuses in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and Centres in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Christopher (St Kitts) & Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. UWI recently launched its Open Campus, a virtual campus with 45 physical site locations across the region, serving 16 countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. UWI is an international university with faculty and students from over 40 countries and collaborative links with over 60 universities around the world. Through its seven Faculties, UWI offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science & Technology, Food & Agriculture, and Social Sciences.

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

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