News Releases

UWI St. Augustine Principal announces plans for September 2021 Semester

For Release Upon Receipt - August 19, 2021

St. Augustine


The UWI St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago. Thursday, August 19, 2021 - In an email sent to students and staff on Thursday - August 19, Professor Brian Copeland, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus announced plans for the upcoming academic year 2021/22 and, in particular, the September 2021 semester. 

Plans include the continuation of  online delivery of classes for the semester, except in the case of labs, field exercises, research and any other activities that absolutely require on-campus or in-person presence. Professor Copeland wrote that the planning and position on matters for the new academic year is the result of careful planning, consultation across management and engagement with the Incident Management Team, unions and student leaders. “We have had to treat with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic for almost eighteen months now and the resilience that our campus has shown has been inspiring,” said Professor Copeland. 

The email also announced the academic calendar has been finalised in which the semester is slated to start on August 29, with teaching to commence on September 6. Online course registration is slated to begin next Monday, August 23. All critical course and registration information will be available at https://sta.uwi.edu/registration. Among the upgrades that have been made to the registration process, the campus unveiled a new FEE PAY platform this week that will allow all students to gain instantaneous financial clearance by enrolling in a payment plan. 

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, Professor Copeland revealed that Campus Management has taken the position that, until such time as the matter is legislated or pronounced upon by the Courts, it will not be mandating staff members nor students to vaccinate. One exception to this position on vaccination will be at the Halls of Residence, where only fully vaccinated students (whether nationals or non-nationals) will be allowed lodging. 

Notwithstanding, as part of the Campus Management’s duty to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of all its employees and to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, the Principal encouraged all staff and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “The more members of our community who are vaccinated, the greater chance we have of suppressing the COVID-19 virus and the production of mutations. This is also the swiftest path to a full return to campus,” explained Professor Copeland. 

With effect from the start of the new academic year on August 29 (and assuming the cessation of the State of Emergency), all offices of The UWI St. Augustine Campus will be rostering staff, on rotation, to ensure continued operations in all areas whilst ensuring effectiveness and safety. All previous COVID-19 protocols will be in effect. Until further notice, the university is maintaining its restrictions on visitors coming to campus. 

Principal Copeland also took the opportunity to encourage incoming students to enjoy the First Year Experience (FYE) programme which continues to meet informational demands, foster integration into the campus community and stimulate an excitement for learning. He also urged returning students to stay connected with their peers and to the campus and to take advantage of remote student support services to ensure success and overall good health and wellbeing. 

“I remain appreciative of the tremendous efforts all staff demonstrated in response to the pandemic, including those that have continued to come to campus to keep the university operating. I extend my thanks to our students for their hard work and patience as we move through these challenging times,” wrote Professor Copeland. 

-END-

 

Notes to Editor 

·         We invite you to take a look at a FEE PAY Tutorial Video that will show you step-by-step just how easy it is to navigate the new system. Click here to view the video. 

·         To learn more about FEE PAY and to answer any questions that you may have, you are also invited to view the FEE PAY FAQs. These FAQs have been uploaded to the Registration website, and you can click here to view.

 

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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