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The Vice Chancellor's Statement On The Passing of Sir Shridath

For Release Upon Receipt - August 30, 2024

St. Augustine


 The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Friday, August 30, 2024 — Please find below a statement from the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

"Sonny contributed much to the development of Caribbean civilization and institutions. I am sorry for his passing, but I am proud of his contributions. In every sense he was one of our greatest leaders and impactful citizens.”

Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles responded to news of Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal's passing. Sir Hilary expressed his condolences on behalf of the University, recognising Sonny's stature as a distinguished scholar and statesman, whose contributions to the University, the region, and the world cannot be forgotten.

Between 1989 and 2003, Sir Shridath served as Chancellor of The University of the West Indies. A tribute to his contribution to the University's mission and vision is the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy, and Services. It was named after Sir Shridath in recognition of this distinguished Caribbean statesman's critical role in shaping the region's trade and economic development policies during the early days of independence. This Centre aims to develop trade capacity and develop innovative trade solutions for the Caribbean region.

Throughout Sir Shridath's career, he played various exemplary and pioneering roles. Among them, serving as the Commonwealth’s Secretary General, Guyana's Foreign Affairs Minister, the British West Indies Federation's Assistant Attorney General and the West Indian Commission's Chairman. A former director general of CARICOM's Office of Trade Negotiations, now known as the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, he served as the first Director General.

It was Sonny's mission to promote both democracy and regionalism. In his role as a legal draftsman, he worked on the constitutions of the West Indies Federation and Guyanese Independence. As an architect of multi-racial democracy in the post-colonial period, he played a crucial part. He was instrumental in securing the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which has served to preserve and protect the regional character of The UWI. A first for the Commonwealth, he made history as its first Secretary General from a “third world” country. In his long service as Secretary General of the Commonwealth, he played an important diplomatic role in ending apartheid and freeing Nelson Mandela. 

A heartfelt condolence is extended to Sir Shridath's family, friends, colleagues, and those whose lives he touched. “We will honour his memory by upholding the values and principles he stood for,” said Vice-Chancellor Beckles. “May the soul of Sonny rest in peace.”

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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 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.

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