News Releases

New UWI St. Augustine Guild Installed: Commits to Accountable Leadership

For Release Upon Receipt - June 5, 2025

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. June 5, 2025 – A renewed spirit of student advocacy and partnership took centre stage at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus on May 29, 2025, as the baton of leadership was officially passed from the outgoing Guild of Students Council to the newly installed team for the 2025/2026 academic year. In a ceremony that underscored both continuity and change, incoming Guild President Vedanand Hargobin pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors, committing to a style of leadership marked by informed advocacy, accountability and constructive engagement.

 Following an engaging election campaign season that energized the student body, The UWI St. Augustine introduced the newly appointed Guild. As the incoming Guild took office, the University underscored the critical role of the student-led body in championing student interests, strengthening campus life and ensuring students have a strong voice in shaping their university experience.

Hargobin extended heartfelt thanks to his family, teachers, former schools, friends and peers for their untiring support throughout his journey. He paid special tribute to his late father, expressing deep regret that he could not witness this proud moment. Recognizing the mental and emotional challenges many students face, Hargobin reflected on the hidden burdens of academic life which the incoming Guild would seek to highlight and support students through. “Rarely do we talk about, publicly at least, the stress and self-doubt a student would face,” he admitted. “Although difficult, we find a way through it not through the efforts of one individual, but rather an entire team of people working quietly in the background, who are almost never seen.”

 He urged others to pause and recognize those silent contributors. “I think it is very important to stop and take a moment to reflect on the symbolic village that it takes to raise a child…” Additionally, he thanked the outgoing President and council members for their contributions, and urged the new Guild to remain cooperative and student-focused by stating, “remember we are a team, a large one, only through cooperation will we succeed at anything. Learn from the mistakes of our predecessors, we are not here to fight the administration, but we are here to work towards a common goal.”

Outgoing Guild President Josef Paty also shared parting words of encouragement.

“We exist in a space where student concerns and needs are at a critical stage, ever growing and ever evolving. I look forward to seeing how this council addresses the issues that may arise and navigate student engagement while aiming to rework processes that intertwine with your ability to lead.”

He urged the new council to be bold, yet strategic in their efforts to drive change, “It is now your job to work with administration to reinvent those processes which were crafted for issues that are now outdated for the betterment of the student body. There is nothing wrong with shaking the system, however do so in ways that will reap actual rewards for the student body.”

Professor Derek Chadee, Deputy Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, congratulated the new Guild Council and thanked the outgoing members for their service. He expressed that the Campus looks forward to working collaboratively with the new student leadership in the year ahead.

The new members who took their oath of office for the 2025/2026 academic year are:

 

 Outgoing Guild President Mr. Josef Paty (front right) and his executive team congratulate incoming Guild President Mr. Vedanand Hargobin (front left) and his team during the Guild Inauguration Ceremony, held on Thursday, May, 29, 2025, at the Daaga Auditorium, The UWI St. Augustine.

 

Guild Council 2025/2026

 

·         President:                                                           Vedanand Hargobin

 

·         Vice President:                                                 Anuola Archer

 

·         Secretary:                                                           Zarah Wanzer

 

·         Treasurer:                                                          Shiva Paul

 

·         Postgraduate Representative:                  Brandon Sookhoo

 

·         Student Activities Chairperson:               Aaliyah Ramsden

 

·         National Affairs Chairperson:                   Joshua Jitta

 

·         International Affairs Chairperson:         Naresh Jagnanan

 

·         Games Committee Chairperson:              Geervan Ramkumar

 

·         Publications Committee Chairperson: Grant Lodhar

 

 Faculty Representatives:

 

§  Science and Technology              Justin Aban

 

§  Food and Agriculture                    Arianne Bernard

 

§  Law                                                       Shinik-Ann Duprey

 

§  Medical Sciences                             Akeem Roach

 

§  Engineering                                       Alexei Ottley

 

§  Social Sciences                                 Chris Ramdeen

 

§  Sport                                                     Adara Singh

 

END

 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With 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 continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

  Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

 

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