News Releases

UWI ICT Expert Appointed Chief Rapporteur on UN DPI Safeguards Initiative

For Release Upon Receipt - June 12, 2024

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. June 12, 2024 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) proudly salutes Dr. Kim Mallalieu on her appointment as chief rapporteur and member of the executive steering committee of the United Nations (UN) Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Safeguards Initiative.

DPI is a cornerstone of modern society, integrating digital networks, communication systems, hardware, and software platforms, accompanying operational, policy, legal, regulatory, and governance systems with traditional infrastructure. In this regard, DPI enables - or in some cases- amplifies the delivery of public services. Safeguards are, however, needed to ensure that DPI facilitates equitable access to digital and online resources. These DPI safeguards also ensure that individuals with low levels of digital literacy and persons with disabilities are guaranteed access to these public services.

Consequently, the UN has established six global working groups to develop a Universal Safeguards Framework for DPI. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed confidence in Dr. Mallalieu and other DPI specialists when he said:

“I am pleased to see this diverse group of experts from around the world coming together to develop safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure … I am confident the efforts of this group will help countries to develop guardrails for digital infrastructure so that it can work for the public good.” 

Dr. Mallalieu is cognizant of her crucial role in liaising with all six working groups and UN staff worldwide in the consultative development, and articulation of the framework and all its accompanying resources. Her commitment to the task and philanthropic leadership mindset is evident as she says:

“I believe in our collective responsibility to forge a path where innovation thrives, every individual's rights are protected, and every dream is within reach. I believe that, together, we can safeguard our digital future." 

Dr. Mallalieu who leads The UWI St. Augustine Campus Communication Systems Group in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is also our principal investigator of the Caribbean Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Research Programme and chair of the St. Augustine Campus’ ICT Steering Committee.

Dr. Mallalieu’s devotion to her field does not end there and is also evident in her capacity as deputy chair of both the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) and the Advisory Board of the Network of Women in the Telecommunication Development Sector of the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (NoW in ITU-D). She also coordinates a mentoring programme in the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) and is a board member of both the Caribbean Open Institute and the Caribbean Spectrum Management Task Force.

The UWI is confident Dr. Mallalieu will continue to serve with distinction -as is the norm - in her latest role.

END

Dr. Kim Mallalieu is pictured here in her office at UWI’s St. Augustine Campus.

 

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 center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 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 nearly 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 Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 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 the wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the 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 Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

 

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