News Releases

UWI History Fest 2024 Honouring the Legacy of Professor Brinsley Samaroo

For Release Upon Receipt - March 1, 2024

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago March 1, 2024 – The History Department of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine invites the general public to History Fest 2024: "History is Alive! Celebrating our Past, Committing to our Future" from March 6th to March 9th, 2024.

For the past decade, History Fest has served as forum for intellectual exploration, revealing the significant impact of history on our present and future. This year's commemoration promises to be especially poignant as we honour the legacy of the late Professor Brinsley Samaroo, whose contributions to the History Department of the St. Augustine campus and by extension the region continue to resonate deeply.

Emeritus Professor Brinsley Samaroo's work on the academic landscape will be celebrated through the History Fest Legacy Lecture, which kicks off the festivities on Wednesday March 6th, 2024, at the Third Floor of the Alma Jordan Library at The UWI St. Augustine Campus from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Renowned historian Emerita Professor Bridget Brereton, will deliver a captivating address titled "History is Alive! Celebrating our Past, Committing to our Future." This lecture which is open to the general public will not only pay homage to Professor Samaroo's pivotal role but also underscore the enduring vibrancy and significance of history as an academic discipline.

The celebration continues on March 7th with a captivating Cultural Display at the Student Activity Centre, offering attendees a visual journey through Trinidad and Tobago's rich culture and history. On March 8th, the festivity will feature a Prize Giving Ceremony at the Alma Jordan Library, celebrating the winners of the Department’s essay, drama and Instagram Reel competitions, which is a major part of the Department’s community outreach and on March 9th, we gather for an Alumni Gala, reminiscing and rejoicing in the bonds forged through shared academic pursuits. The public is also invited to view the History Fest 2024 Display at the Ground floor of the Alma Jordan Library of the UWI, St. Augustine Campus which runs from March 1st to March 15th. Through these events, History Fest not only celebrates our past achievements but also nurtures a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among past students, faculty, and the wider community.

As the campus reflects on a decade of History Fest, we reaffirm our commitment to understanding the past as a means to navigate the complexities of the present and shape a brighter future. Together with the UWI family, we are honoured to embark on this journey, celebrating our shared heritage and collective aspirations.

For further information and registration for the gala, please contact the History Department at 662-2002 ext 82021/82022 or email historydept@sta.uwi.edu .

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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.

 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 10 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). In the latest World University Rankings 2022, released in September 2021, The UWI moved up an impressive 94 places from last year. In the current global field of some 30,000 universities and elite research institutes, The UWI stands among the top 1.5%.

 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, it is also in the top 20 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.

 For more, visit www.uwi.edu.

 

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