News Releases

Cocoa Factory and Global Medical School on the horizon for St Augustine Campus

For Release Upon Receipt - March 14, 2023

St. Augustine


The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St Augustine Campus, March 14, 2023. The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine presented her first report to the tertiary institution’s governing body this morning. Among the attendees, in person and virtually, were representatives of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as well as other contributing governments of The UWI.

 Along with members of the campus’ leadership team, she shared a wide-ranging presentation which reflected on the opportunities and challenges faced by the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic and the two years of mandatory closure. During that difficult period, the campus was led by Emeritus Professor Brian Copeland who retired last July.  Principal Antoine demonstrated the progress made in various areas including academics, digitalisation of key processes, entrepreneurship and innovation. Key research areas and projects, which attracted significant international grant funding, were also shared.

 Three upcoming key priority projects of focus, which align with the regional institution’s Triple-A Strategic Plan phase two: “Converting Reputation to Revenue”, will focus on boosting international student recruitment with a Global Medical School, rejuvenating the cocoa sector with a cocoa factory, and developing alumni activity.  These largescale projects are broadened by other entrepreneurial initiatives at the departmental level which will position the Campus for continued growth and greater self-sufficiency.

 The Campus Council meets annually, largely to receive detailed reports from officers and committees, which have responsibilities that derive from the Charter statements and other instruments such as academic and curriculum updates; changing statistics on students with regards to enrolment; staffing issues and strategic initiatives that have been undertaken. Ms Sharon Christopher, Chair of the St. Augustine Council, led the meeting while Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles delivered closing remarks.

The full session can be viewed on uwitv.org

 About The University of the West Indies

 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 for the past 75 years.

 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: Monain Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hillin Barbados, Five IslandsinAntigua and Barbuda and itsOpen Campus, and 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.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading 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.

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

 

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