News Releases

UWI Marks 63rd Founders’ Day: Rooted in History, Ready for Today, Rising for Tomorrow

For Release Upon Receipt - October 12, 2023

St. Augustine


 

 Old Administrative Building, ICTA. Source:  From Imperial College to University of the West Indies – A History of the St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago by Professor Emerita Bridget Brereton

 

 St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. Oct 12, 2023 –Today, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, marks its 63rd Anniversary on Founders’ Day with a glance back at history, a nod to the present, and a vision for the tomorrow.

 It was on October 12, 1960, that the St. Augustine Campus was born. The Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (ICTA), with its international acclaim for research in tropical agriculture, was handed over to the University College of the West Indies (UCWI) during a grand ceremony at Queen's Hall. This historic moment set the stage for an outstanding journey that continues to inspire generations.

 "Today, 63 years later, we stand proudly as the premier Caribbean tertiary education and research institution, ranked among the top 1.5% globally and number one in the Caribbean by Times Higher Education,” said Pro Vice-Chancellor and The UWI St. Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine in her official message to staff and students. “UWI graduates, stand out in every sector of Trinidad and Tobago society, with three top scientists recently earning the nation's most prestigious accolade, the O.R.T.T., further emphasizing our distinction,” she added.

 Professor Antoine highlighted the many ways in which. The UWI St. Augustine Campus consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation—from spearheading the study of microbes and new antibiotic resistance to researching the conversion of the sargassum that blankets our shores into plant supplements to enhance crop growth to developing environmentally-friendly and faster-working alternatives to pesticides and fungicides (green pesticides) to setting industry standards by revolutionizing the molecular breeding programme specific to cocoa

 “This 63rd Founders’ Day is an occasion to remember the Campus’ humble beginnings, as the institution forges ahead along a path of continuous transformation, expansion and development. We look to the future with a steadfast focus on research, teaching, and outreach, guided by The UWI's Triple 'A' Strategy - Access, Alignment, and Agility, ensuring our enduring relevance and excellence," said Professor Antoine as she reflected on the Campus' extraordinary history and accomplishments. 

 From roots that were deeply embedded in research and innovation, The UWI-STA legacy will continue to support the growth and development of Trinidad and Tobago- Rooted in History, Ready for Today, Rising for Tomorrow.

 To learn more about The UWI St. Augustine Campus please visit https://sta.uwi.edu/

 END

 

 The Old Administration today, in 2023. Photo credit: Shereen Ali. The building has retained its iconic shape and structure from 63 years ago and continues to be surrounded by the lush UWI 'greens'

 

 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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