News Releases

Statement from The Vice Chancellor - The UWI Salutes CARICOM at 50

For Release Upon Receipt - July 5, 2023

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Tuesday, July 04, 2023—The following statement is issued by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of CARICOM. 

The University of the West Indies salutes the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on its 50th anniversary.  On July 4, 1973 at Chaguaramas, the spirit of Dickenson Bay lived on as Errol Barrow, Forbes Burnham, Michael Manley and Eric Williams signed the Caribbean Community into being. On July 4, 2023, fifty years hence, the “big four” and those that followed expanding the four into fifteen, whether from the hereafter or still with us, certainly look on with pride at this child which they birthed. CARICOM has grown to maturity, with many laudable achievements along the way, and the promise of great tomorrows for the youth of today.  

I commend CARICOM on the accomplishments of its first fifty years – climate change advocacy, coordination of external trade negotiations, disaster management, education, health cooperation, marine biodiversity advocacy, private sector collaboration – only begin the list of key advancements.  The theme, Fifty Years Strong: A Solid Foundation to Build On is most appropriate. Much has been accomplished and our regional university pays tribute to those who have worked long and hard to see our beloved region attain this significant milestone – Secretaries-General past and our incumbent, Heads of Government and other government officials, heads and staff of all regional institutions, and all the people we serve collectively.  

As we look to the centenary, there is much more to be done. The University of the West Indies stands ready to support our fellow regional institution in achieving its strategic objectives and goals and ultimately, our shared vision of propelling Caribbean development.  

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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: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open 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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