News Releases

The UWI welcomes alumni and friends around the world for 70th anniversary week of celebration

For Release Upon Receipt - June 13, 2018

UWI


For one week in July, thousands of alumni, students, staff and guests from across the Caribbean and the wider globe are expected to converge at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Mona Campus for a week of activities hosted by Chancellor Robert Bermudez. Chancellor’s Week, from July 23-29, 2018, is set to be one of the highlights of a year-long celebration of the University’s legacy of “70 years of service, 70 years of leadership”.

This “homecoming” offers a diverse and exciting programme of free and paid events which include academic gatherings, an awards function, parties and other entertainment, catering to the interests of the various age cohorts of The UWI family and the general public.

Noting that the week-long celebration specially reaches out to The UWI’s vast alumni network inviting them to reconnect, share their success stories and re-engage with the University, Chancellor Bermudez noted, “The UWI’s success has been each one of the graduates who has left our campuses to form the fabric of the West Indian society, in every field of endeavour. Chancellor’s Week is intended to bring back thousands of graduates to jointly celebrate their success and our success.”

Chancellor’s Week begins on Monday, July 23 with a Welcome Gala Reception hosted by Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, MP, at Jamaica House.

On July 24, Nostalgic Conversations, an interactive public forum hosted at The UWI Regional Headquarters, will feature distinguished alumni reflecting on the history, contributions and achievements of The UWI, and their shared experiences.

On July 25, at the Mona Visitors Lodge and Conference Centre, seven alumni selected by their peers and representing each decade from 1948 to present, will be honoured at The 70th Anniversary Pelican Awards, for their illustrious contributions to their communities and areas of endeavour.

Come July 26, the four campuses’ Guilds of Students will stage Pelican Projections: A University for the Future - UWI then, UWI now, UWI to come. This forum at The UWI Mona’s Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre promises to be a thought-provoking and animated panel discussion targeting students and the public, and led by young leaders from The UWI, Government and further afield. 

The One UWI Festival and T-20 Cricket Match scheduled for July 27 will bring together past and current Pelicans from the various campuses. Free and open to the public, this event will feature pavilions showcasing the cuisine and culture of all The UWI campuses, competitions, entertainment and an exciting cricket match between a Student team and a special Chancellor’s XI team, at The UWI Mona Bowl.

Chancellor’s Week culminates with a weekend-long celebration of the music, colour and culture of the Caribbean. An all-inclusive Pelican All White Breakfast Party in collaboration with party promoters Sunnation, rolls out the festivities on July 28, at the Oriental Gardens on The UWI Mona Campus and will precede the UWI B4 Summer Ends Party, also on the campus that evening, targeting party fans, and especially current and incoming students.

The week closes on a high note with the Chancellor’s Jazz Farewell on July 29. Dynamic jazz/reggae saxophonist and recording artiste from Barbados, Arturo Tappin will headline a cavalcade of some of the region’s most accomplished performers, under the stars at the Oriental Gardens.

The special week of activities has already attracted partnership with notable sponsors, such as the Carrera’s Group, Phase 3, RJR Gleaner Communications Group, Sagicor, Tastee Ltd., and WISYNCO. Other corporate entities are invited to be part of this unique opportunity as Chancellor’s Platinum, Golden Pelican, Silver Scholar or One UWI Bronze partners.

Proceeds from Chancellor’s Week will go to The UWI Regional Endowment Fund (UWIREF) to support undergraduate and graduate students, research and other developmental projects based on merit and financial need. Officially launched in July 2008 as part of the University’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, the UWIREF has since presented over 180 scholarships worth over US$1.1 million.

For more details on the schedule of events, ticket/package purchases, and sponsorships, please visit the website www.uwi.edu/alumnionline/uwi-chancellors-week, find @UWIAlumnionline on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, email at 70@alumni.uwi.edu or call 1-876-970-0967.

 

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Note to the Editor:

The UWI informally refers to its alumni as Pelicans.

Message from UWI Chancellor, Robert Bermudez: https://youtu.be/SsUE_Ad5tiw

 

About The UWI

 

For the past 70 years The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has provided service and leadership to the Caribbean region. In 2018, The UWI celebrates its evolution from 1948 as a university college in Jamaica with 33 medical students to an internationally respected regional university with near 50,000 students. Today, The UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and an 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 & Technology, Social Sciences and Sport. Its 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. The UWI has been a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of our people. As the regional institution commemorates its 70th anniversary milestone, it will celebrate its students, faculty, administrators, alumni, governments, and partners in the public and private sector. The anniversary commemoration will focus on reflection as well as projection for the future with an emphasis on social justice and the economic transformation of the region. Website: www.uwi.edu and www.uwi.edu/70 

(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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