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UWI St. Augustine mourns Emerita Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald

For Release Upon Receipt - June 9, 2025

St. Augustine


The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, joins the regional academic community in mourning the passing of Emerita Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald, a visionary scholar whose work shaped Caribbean education and linguistic thought.

 

 Former Prinicipal of The UWI Open Campus Emerita Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald.

Professor Simmons-McDonald’s scholarship advanced the understanding and teaching of English and Creole in Caribbean contexts, championing inclusive, culturally grounded approaches to language education. Her work was instrumental in bridging academic theory and classroom practice, particularly through her development of curricula that responded to the linguistic realities of Caribbean students. Through publications such as Exploring the Boundaries of Caribbean Creole Languages and Writing in English, she challenged conventional norms and advocated for the pedagogical relevance of Creole languages.

 A pioneering force in open and distance education, Simmons-McDonald’s leadership helped to reimagine access to higher education across the region. As the first Principal of The UWI Open Campus, she laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and flexible university model, extending UWI’s reach to underserved communities.

 The St. Augustine Campus honours her life and work, and extends heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues, and students across the region.

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 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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