News Releases

The UWI Open Campus to re-establish Site in the Turks and Caicos Islands

For Release Upon Receipt - September 13, 2018

UWI


The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus is partnering with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to re-establish a physical presence in the territory.  The re-launch of The UWI Open Campus Turks and Caicos site is an initiative of the TCI Ministry of Education and responds to the increasing number of TCI residents in The UWI’s online programmes. 

The partnership will see the re-opening of The UWI Open Campus TCI in Providenciales following the closure of the Grand Turk site some years ago.  The re-introduction of the site will allow for ease of access to the University’s online degree programmes, as well as its Continuing and Professional Education programmes. It will also serve to strengthen the University’s longstanding bonds with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.  The initiative is part of the Government’s plan to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders who may be constrained by economic or social responsibilities can access tertiary education through online/face to face modalities within the borders of the country.  The Government strongly believes that the partnership with The UWI in the re-establishment of an Open Campus site in the Turks and Caicos Islands will achieve this goal.

According to the Honourable Minister of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services, Mrs Karen Malcolm, “While education has inherent value beyond the economic function, it is essential for an individual to have a productive and meaningful career.  This depends on the opportunities created in the economy. The more vibrant and sophisticated the economy, the more individuals can fulfil their aspirations, and the more governments will have the resources to invest further in education.”   “This partnership between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and The UWI Open Campus will help many realise their dreams and permit every native of the Turks and Caicos Islands an opportunity to obtain a degree at the tertiary level.  Given that most people would love the opportunity to obtain their degree but they do not have the time; they now have access to online studies in the comfort of their own home,” the Minister said.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, Dr Luz Longsworth says that the University is pleased to collaborate with the Government of the TCI to re-launch the local site.  “This initiative is particularly significant because it comes during the University’s 70th Anniversary celebrations and at a time when the University is expanding its operations around the globe,” Dr Longsworth said.  “As the fourth campus of The UWI we are charged with meeting the needs of The UWI-14 countries.  We are therefore delighted to re-establish our physical presence in the Turks and Caicos Islands to meet the growing needs of our current and potential TCI students, as well as the society at large. The Government of the TCI has been most welcoming and we look forward to realising this important initiative.”

The ongoing discussions have included a number of virtual meetings with the Honourable Minister and other Education officials, as well as a recent site visit by Manager for The UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr Phyllis Fleming-Banks.

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Photo Caption:

The Honourable Minister of Education in the TCI, Mrs Karen Malcolm (centre) and Permanent Secretary, Mr Wesley Clerveaux with The UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories Manager, Dr Phyllis Fleming-Banks during a recent visit.

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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