News Releases

UWI committed to the safety of its 18,000 students

For Release Upon Receipt - October 17, 2017

St. Augustine


Today at The University of the West Indies’ St. Augustine Campus, Deputy Principal, Professor Indar Ramnarine and Director, Campus Security, Noel Corbett received security recommendations from President of the Guild of Students, Jonathon St. Louis-Nahous and a group of approximately 100 students. With Campus security present, the students marched to the offices of both Professor Ramnarine and Mr Corbett where they voiced their concerns.

The demonstration came shortly after a meeting where Administration engaged the Guild of Students, represented by Guild President, Jonathan St. Louis-Nahous; Vice President, Darrion Narine and National Affairs Committee Chair, Jeniece Scott and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. The meeting was one in a series of consultations held over the last two weeks to develop a robust approach for addressing the security concerns on Campus. The Administration was represented by Campus Registrar, Mr Richard Saunders; Deputy Principal, Professor Indar Ramnarine; Director, Campus Security, Noel Corbett; Director, Facilities Management Suresh Maharaj and Director, Marketing & Communications, Dr Dawn-Marie De-Four Gill.

“While personally I was surprised at the demonstration, given the positive nature of our conversations with the Guild and the progress we have been making implementing short term security measures and strategizing longer term ones, I do understand that we are grooming responsible citizens and critical thinkers. We respect the students’ right to demonstrate and take very seriously the concerns of all 18,000 of our registered students who have been sharing their feedback with us via social media and other channels” said Deputy Principal Ramnarine. He further commented “We are pleased that the Guild of Students has been so eager to converse and we will seriously consider the official recommendations they have submitted as they coincide with our plans.”

Director of Security, Mr Corbett, commenting on the state of campus security, stressed the importance of students reporting criminal or suspicious activities on Campus to facilitate a data-driven approach to improving security on the campus.

The UWI has been responsive to students’ calls for immediate improvements. Recent measures rolled out in the last week include:

·         The renewed enforcement of the campus’ “No Thoroughfare Zone” policy

·         Parking permit and ID checks

·         Increased Campus Security presence at all entrances to the campus

·         The installation of additional lighting

·         Improvements to the Shuttle service

·         Joint patrols with Campus Security and the TTPS

Improvements to come include targeted measures to address security concerns at the adjacent School of Education on Agostini Street.

End.

About The UWI

Since its inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged, regional University with well over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology and Social Sciences. UWI’s seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. Website: www.uwi.edu

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

Contact