News Releases

Sustainability, Innovation & Global School of Medicine Take Centre-Stage at 2025 UWI Campus Council

For Release Upon Receipt - March 27, 2025

St. Augustine


 

 

As stakeholders of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus met for the 2025 Campus Council Meeting on March 11, there was a strong focus on the university’s efforts to increase sustainable revenue flows and contribute to sustainable development efforts in the region. Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, presented the 2023/2024 Annual Report, highlighting the success of the “UWI Made” brand. Professor Antoine, emphasized the university’s commitment to research commercialization and stated that “The UWI brand represents excellence and ingenuity and our researchers are developing market-ready products to address national and regional challenges.” Aligned with the “UWI MADE” theme, is the university’s mission to develop UWI-made solutions that drive economic, social, and environmental transformation.

One of the biggest highlights was the significant progress in developing the Global School of Medicine (GSM) at the South Campus, which was recently enhanced and outfitted. The GSM will be part of a broader South-North Medical Artery and is expected to generate substantial revenue and foreign exchange for the campus by attracting international students. Furthermore, the GSM is on track to welcome its inaugural class undertaking qualifying courses in September 2025, having secured accreditation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). The South Campus has recently finalized considerable repairs, enhancing its facilities.

In delivering her presentation, Professor Antoine outlined key areas of progress, namely research commercialization, employee engagement, sustainability and strengthening stakeholder partnerships. A major success story is UWI Seal-It Ltd., which produces high-quality industrial sealants and lubricants suited for tropical climates and with demand growing rapidly, expansion to a larger facility is now under consideration.

 Equally successful is UWI Fine Cocoa Ltd., an extension of the internationally acclaimed Cocoa Research Centre (CRC). This initiative enhances the cocoa industry by providing local farmers and chocolatiers with essential processing assistance and access to markets. In line with its market expansion strategies, the CRC has also introduced its premium Spirit brand of dark chocolates. Furthermore, the campus's product development efforts continue to flourish with the creation and distribution of Biophyt, an eco-friendly pesticide and plant growth stimulant that underscores The UWI's commitment to sustainability.

 

 Furthermore, to ensure viable projects receive the necessary funding and support, the campus has introduced a “Shark Tank” evaluation process, modeled after the well-known investment platform, to assess and approve high-potential initiatives.  The campus is diversifying revenue streams through the Faculty of Humanities and Education’s HumanKind Studios, which offers video production, live streaming and post-production services.

 The UWI continues to support CARICOM’s 25% food import reduction goal, partnering with the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service on the Youth Agricultural Shade House project. New academic programmes, including the MSc in Climate Studies address regional sustainability needs. Moreover, the Faculty of Engineering’s Intelligent Systems Lab is advancing technological innovation, with recent symposia on AI, climate change and urban science.

 Building on this series of notable achievements, Professor Antoine issued a call to external stakeholders and alumni to strengthen their involvement with the campus.  The UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, commended the St. Augustine Campus’s focus by stating that “Innovation and sustainability are key in today’s climate,” and he emphasized that in navigating the changing times, “Ideas and innovation are products that can be marketed.”

 

 For insights into the Campus’s performance and strategic direction, please find below key reports:

 The full meeting is available for viewing via UWItv Facebook Page  

 

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