News Releases

Media Package: Meeting of The UWI University Council

For Release Upon Receipt - June 1, 2020

UWI


On Wednesday, May 13, the Council that bears responsibility for the highest level of decision-making at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) met virtually to discuss a number of critical matters, particularly, the financing and sustainability of the regional University. Content that may be useful in your reporting on this regional event is included below:

·         The opening segment of its annual University Council Meeting which includes Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles’ report can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/UWITV/videos/269021977613812/

·         Media Release: University focused on managing expenditure, standards and quality at https://sta.uwi.edu/news/releases/release.asp?id=22092

·         Vice-Chancellor’s Report, titled Corporate Bonding: The UWI’s Next Funding Frontier — https://online.flippingbook.com/view/310668/

The UWI is currently engaged in a deep dive discourse on higher education funding within the Caribbean context. It is arguably one of the main development challenges facing our regional community. The University is preparing for the roll out of a new model in which the private sector and our 100,000 alumni will be invited to invest at a time when its reputation as a globally elite university has never been higher. The report covers the journey of this high standing Caribbean institution as well as highlights of the University’s successes and milestone achievements particularly for the 2018/2019 academic year.

Two special reports provide a look into progress on key target areas being pursued under the 2017-2022 strategic plan:

·         Building an Entrepreneurial UWI — https://online.flippingbook.com/view/484744/

In addition to fulfilling its core business of education and conducting research in service to the region, The UWI is now pursuing a third major goal—innovation and entrepreneurship—as part of its overall developmental agenda. Each of The UWI’s five campuses has begun establishing facilities and services in support of this focus. This report highlights the initiatives underway as the University vigorously pursues this exciting programme of becoming more entrepreneurial. As a developmental university, The UWI is determined to disrupt the historical constructs that have disadvantaged Caribbean economies. Entrepreneurship holds the promise to increase diversification, strengthen resilience, and enhance financial inclusion opportunities for the more than six million people across the 17 English-speaking Caribbean countries served by The UWI.

·         Leading Climate Action — https://online.flippingbook.com/view/496053/

Never before have universities been so central to the global agenda of sustainable development and particularly the science behind an urgent response to climate change. Addressing climate change has long been a priority for The UWI and over its seven decades of existence, this priority has resulted in a number of initiatives with global impact. The UWI is also now recognised by the International Association of Universities (IAU) as the global leader in the mobilisation of research and advocacy for a climate smart world. This special report features the University’s research, teaching, advocacy, sustainable practices, and regional and international partnerships as part of its work in support of the climate action agenda.

 

The UWI’s COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 response

Over the past few months, The UWI has been working intimately with regional governments in shaping public health policy and anti-COVID-19 strategies. During his presentation to the Council, Vice-Chancellor Beckles acknowledged the work ‘UWI Science’ and ‘UWI Medicine’ as well as other contributions from the University’s staff and students to the current COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 response in the Caribbean context. Some of these efforts are detailed here: https://uwitv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Together-in-the-Caribbeans-fight-against-COVID-19.pdf

For more information, please visit www.uwi.edu/vcreport<http://www.uwi.edu/vcreport or contact the University Marketing & Communications Office at universitymktgcomms@sta.uwi.edu

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