News Releases

The UWI and ITU Launch Course on Innovative City Development & People-centred Digital Transformation

For Release Upon Receipt - November 27, 2023

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Monday, November 27, 2023—The University of the West Indies (The UWI), one of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU’s) 14 global Academic Training Centres (ATCs), has opened registration for its first course offering under the ITU’s ATC programme. This course, Design and Development of Smart Cities, provides an overview of the essential aspects of smart city development.

 Smart sustainable cities have emerged as a possible solution to the rapid growth of urbanization and the subsequent increase in resource consumption. The ITU describes a smart sustainable city as “an innovative city that uses information and communication technologies and other means to improve quality of life, efficiency of urban operation and services, and competitiveness, while ensuring that it meets the needs of present and future generations with respect to economic, social, environmental as well as cultural aspects.” 

 This introductory level course should be of particular interest to intermediate and senior personnel in Government offices, regulatory authorities, and public and private entities responsible for proposing and installing solutions for smart cities. Members of academia and others in related research fields will also benefit.

The 8-day course runs from December 4 to 11, 2023 and is currently open for online registration via https://academy.itu.int/user/register. Registration closes on November 30, 2023. For further details please contact Dr Louis-Ray Harris at louisray.harris@uwimona.edu.jm or visit the ITU Academy’s course catalogue page.

As a recognised ATC, The UWI through its Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management), Mona Faculty of Science and Technology, and St. Augustine Engineering Institute offers ITU-certified non-degree training courses to industries. The implementation of this timely One-UWI initiative is being coordinated by The Office of Global Affairs. Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Affairs Ms Sandrea Maynard commented “as the region grapples with the very real digital divide, we are extremely proud that the ITU has seen the value of partnering with The UWI to address capacity and upskilling needs in the region. In the context of the University’s Revenue Revolution, this initiative provides a unique opportunity to introduce The UWI brand to a global market and act as an entry-point to our related programmes on all our campuses.”

 Individuals and companies availing themselves of these courses receive a joint ITU/UWI certification, further increasing the global profile of The UWI in its partnership with the global regulator in the field of telecommunications and ICTs.

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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  

 About The ITU

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information and communication technologies. Established on May 17, 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, it is the oldest UN agency.

 

 

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