News Releases

UWI St. Augustine Principal Pays Tribute to Sir Keith Hunte, a Champion of Caribbean Education

For Release Upon Receipt - October 7, 2024

St. Augustine


 

St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, October 7, 2024 – Sir Keith Hunte who passed away on Thursday, October 3 at age 87, joined the staff of the College of Arts and Science, the forerunner to Cave Hill campus, in 1964 - one year after its establishment. His career at Cave Hill spanned nearly 40 years, almost half of which he served in the capacity of Principal from 1983 to 2002.

Over the years he rose through the academic ranks, becoming senior lecturer in 1965, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and General Studies in 1975 and Deputy Principal in 1980. His work in education extended beyond the University, with him serving as chairman of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) from 1996 to 2002.

Colleagues remember Cave Hill’s longest serving principal as a skilled administrator renowned for his compassion, sound judgment, decency, humility, integrity, and sense of fairness.

Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the St Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), expressed her deep sense of loss at the passing of Sir Keith Hunte, the third Principal of the Cave Hill Campus and a major part of The UWI family for some four decades.

Principal Antoine noted that Sir Keith Hunte extended this mentorship and support to many, in and out of Academia.  He firmly believed in the potential of students, staff, and the people of the Caribbean region as a whole. It is only fitting, therefore, that the newest block of student halls is Clarendon, Black Rock  Barbados, named in his honour - a physical manifestation of his immense contributions.

“I have much to be grateful for with respect to Sir Keith”, she said. “As a young lecturer, he had faith in me to singlehandedly manage the CARICOM harmonization of Labour Law Reform project which was a milestone in Caribbean jurisprudence and became the catalyst for Labour law reform in the region. While I was still young, he again believed in me when I suggested revenue generating commercial type law conferences. Despite some reservations in the faculty, he provided me with a budget and administrative support to bring the concept to life. This initiative marked the beginning of the Caribbean Commercial Law Conference, which continues to thrive today and has served as a model for numerous similar events.”

On behalf of the St. Augustine Campus and on her own behalf, she extends sincerest condolences to his family. His legacy will live on in the hearts, minds, and continuing achievements for generations.

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

 

Learn more at www.uwi.edu

Contact