News Releases

UWI and Canadian High Commission tackle diversity and inclusion in society

For Release Upon Receipt - August 16, 2021

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. Monday 16 August 2021 - Members of the public in Trinidad and Tobago and Canada are invited to Diversity and Inclusion- Perspectives from Canada and Trinidad and Tobago: A Virtual Panel Discussion hosted by the Canadian High Commission in collaboration with the Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus. This free, interactive panel discussion takes place on Tuesday, August 17 from 12 noon via Zoom.

The event will examine the question of why some feel included, and others feel excluded and the impact thereof on individuals and societies. It will also share the views of individuals who have themselves experienced the realities and challenges of diversity and inclusion. The overarching aim is to allow for a better understanding of the experiences of individuals from various backgrounds on the topic, and to help foster an exchange of experiences as well as ideas on a way forward in terms of promoting and encouraging diversity and inclusion across a range of sectors and populations. 

“As a source of creativity, resilience and strength, inclusion and respect for diversity is promoted as a positive narrative which makes Canada stronger in every sense. This is a mandate commitment and an outward expression of Canada’s long-standing domestic policy and culture,” said His Excellency Kumar Gupta, High Commissioner for Canada to Trinidad and Tobago. The virtual panel discussion seeks to provide those in attendance with new or shared perspectives on diversity and inclusion which will hopefully foster new ideas for a way forward. 

Key panelists include International Relations Professor Andy Knight of the University of Alberta and Past Director of the St. Augustine Campus’ Institute of International Relations; and Labour and Offshore Financial Law Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine. Professor Antoine is also The UWI’s incoming Pro Vice-Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Gabrielle Hosein, former Head, IGDS. His Excellency Kumar Gupta will deliver Opening Remarks. 

Interested persons can register for the event at https://bit.ly/3lfsabI. 

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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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