News Releases

The UWI’s Sleeves Rolled Up for Service says Sir Hilary Beckles

For Release Upon Receipt - May 2, 2023

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Tuesday May 2, 2023 — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has proven to be resilient and relevant over its 75 years of service to the Caribbean, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI has said.

 He was addressing the 26th Annual Awards Gala of the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) in New York on April 20, 2023 – a day proclaimed “The UWI Day” by New York’s Mayor Eric Campbell.

 Sir Hilary said that the past two years were particularly significant, demonstrating “The UWI’s finest hour in service to the region, evidenced by how we were able to rise up and survive the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 “The university was able to roll up its sleeves and get work done delivering courses virtually and keeping our students on course to their chosen careers”, he expanded.  Singling out for special mention, The UWI’s medical graduates worldwide whether in hospitals on health councils and committees, Sir Hilary said, “we saved thousands of lives and I am proud to be leading an organisation such as this.”

 Describing The UWI today as a multimode university, Professor Beckles said that “while the university is still committed to a face-to-face modality, it still also boasts hybrid programmes and is also now multilingual and multinational.  We continue to be totally committed to helping the people of the Caribbean get access to the university education that would help them to make their contribution to humanity. We are an institution battling against a devastation of history – climate change, rising sea temperature.  For 75 years we have been the whistle blower on climate change and we continue to do all we can to preserve our beautiful islands of the Caribbean”, he declared.

 Commending this year’s AFUWI ‘Legacy Award’ recipients and the event’s sponsors, Sir Hilary said “we celebrate the respect you have shown to The UWI.  We have become a family.  Thank you family!”

 The annual awards gala which raises funds to provide scholarships for students of The UWI this year honoured: Sandra L. Richards, Managing Director, Head of Global Sports and Entertainment and Segment Sales, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management;  The Honourable Mark A.G. Brantley, Premier of Nevis; Dr. Farley R. Cleghorn,  Chief Medical Officer and  Global Head, Health Practice, The Palladium Group;  Busta Rhymes, American Rapper; Robert ‘Don Pooh’ Cummins, veteran music industry executive and entrepreneur; Dr. Hazel Carter, Associate Professor and Programme Director of Educational Leadership, City College of New York; and Beverley Hunter,  Administrative Officer, Institutional Advancement Division, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies.

 Professor Beckles said that “the 2023 awardees illustrate the tremendous depth of talent and accomplishment which exists in the islands of the Caribbean and the diaspora. We are grateful for their contributions to the betterment of their communities and their support to our beloved University of the West Indies (UWI), which this year is celebrating 75 years of moulding and developing leaders for the Caribbean and the world.  Our honourees are a wonderful inspiration for current and future students who are the beneficiaries of scholarships generated from this stellar event.”

 The gala also introduced five previous AFUWI scholars including three students of The UWI Mona: Aaliyah Daye, Social Sciences (Banking & Finance) sponsored by The Door; Mikael Larmond, Medical Sciences (Medicine & Surgery) sponsored by Dr. Cyrus McCalla; and Bryan Franklin, Social Sciences (Accounting) sponsored by Dr. George Willie and two students of The UWI St. Augustine: Christopher Williams, Social Sciences (Management) sponsored by Diane Jaffee and Stephan Meade, Social Sciences (Accounting) sponsored by Angella Yee.

 To date, the AFUWI, having hosted 25 Legacy Award galas, has contributed US$ 8.3 million in donated items and an average of 50 tuition scholarships to The UWI.

 End

 ABOUT AFUWI

 A 501(c) (3) charitable organisation, the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) was established in 1956 to develop an endowment fund in the United States for The University of the West Indies (UWI). Today, its mission is to source and administer private donations, maximise philanthropic efforts, and develop strategic alliances with American corporations, foundations, alumni and other organisations, primarily to provide scholarships, support academic programmes and facilitate development projects at The UWI. The Foundation has more recently intensified its focus on supporting the University’s scholarship programme because of the urgent and increasing demand for financial aid from many in the student population who are talented, ambitious and determined to break the cycle of poverty, but face severe economic hardships. In addition, the Foundation also seeks to facilitate activities which promote the well-being and strengthening of the West Indian society through community service, research programmes and public service endeavours for the preservation/creation of a robust cultural and social legacy. Visit: www.afuwi.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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