News Releases

The UWI St. Augustine Campus Remembers Winsford 'Joker' Devine

For Release Upon Receipt - June 29, 2021

St. Augustine


The St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) joins the nation in mourning the death of cultural icon and songwriter Winsford “Joker” Devine. He was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Letters (DLitt) in 2017.  

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal Professor Brian Copeland said, “We are humbled to have had the opportunity to honour and celebrate the work of Winsford “Joker” Devine. On behalf of the Campus Community, I offer deepest condolences to his family and friends.”   

Devine is well-known for his prophetic composition, Progress, which was recorded by calypsonian King Austin. Decades later, that masterpiece continues to resonate with audiences and was hailed by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation as the song of the last millennium.  

To view the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate to Mr. Devine at the 2017 Graduation Ceremony, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16gKB5MPUaE

 

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Note to the Editor

Photo Caption: Mr. Winsford 'Joker' Devine receives his Honorary Doctorate of Letters (DLitt) from Mr. Robert Bermudez, Chancellor of The University of the West Indies  

 

About The UWI 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region.  

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.  

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

Ranked among the top universities in the world, by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education, The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists. In 2020, it earned ‘Triple 1st’ rankings—topping the Caribbean; and in the top in the tables for Latin America and the Caribbean, and global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the top universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.  

For more, visit 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.)  

 

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