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UWI congratulates the Honourable Philip J. Pierre on becoming Prime Minister of Saint Lucia

For Release Upon Receipt - July 30, 2021

UWI


The University of the West Indies (The UWI) congratulates the Honourable Philip J. Pierre who was sworn in as Saint Lucia’s 8th Prime Minister on July 28. Prime Minister Pierre, an Economist and UWI alumnus, led his political party to win the country’s recent general election. The UWI community is filled with great pride to have yet another member of its alumni assuming the high office of Prime Minister in the Caribbean region.

Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles expressed his personal congratulations to Prime Minister Pierre on his “resounding victory” in the election, adding: “The citizens of Saint Lucia have demonstrated very clearly their desire for your leadership”. Vice-Chancellor Beckles also assured the new Prime Minister, the backing of The UWI and said he looks forward to an opportunity to discuss ways in which the regional university could continue to support Saint Lucia’s development.

Prime Minister Pierre holds both a Bachelor's degree (hons) in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from The UWI. Before entering politics, he began his career in teaching. He then served as a Trainee Manager, at J.Q. Charles Limited; an Audit Clerk at Coopers and Lybrand; an Audit Senior at Panell Kerr Forster and Financial Controller at Stanthur Company Limited. He was also Director of the National Research and Development Corporation (NRDF). He later moved on to become Chief Executive of his own company, Phillip J. Pierre Business Services Ltd.

He joined the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) in 1985 and entered representational politics in 1992. This is his sixth win as Parliamentary Representative in the Castries East constituency that he has represented since 1997. He has held several positions in the SLP, including Chairman and during the Dr. Kenny Anthony-led government of 2011 to 2016, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, and acted as Prime Minister on several occasions. He became Leader of the Opposition in 2016 following the resignation of the Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony.

 

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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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