News Releases

Incoming UWI Students Urged to Channel Education into Advocacy & Civic Responsibility

For Release Upon Receipt - September 26, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, September 26, 2025 – As the 2025/2026 academic year begins, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, proudly welcomed its newest cohort of undergraduate and postgraduate students into The UWI family. The Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony, a time-honoured tradition observed across all UWI campuses in the Caribbean, symbolizes each student’s official entry into the academic community. Derived from the Latin word matricula, meaning “register,” matriculation represents not only registration but also recognition of first-year students as valued members of the university’s scholarly tradition.

 

 Soaring to New Heights: The newest UWI Pelicans adopt a “soaring” position as they participated in the Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, 18th September 2025.

 

The 2025 Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony, hosted at The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC) in St. Augustine, carried the theme “Pelicans: Get Ready to Soar.” The event not only marked the official induction of students from across the Caribbean and beyond, but also reminded the new cohort that this ceremony has long been the first step in the journeys of leaders, scholars, and innovators who have shaped the region and the wider world.

 Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, joins Guild President, Mr. Vedanand Hargobin, in the symbolic candle-lighting at the Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

 

In her feature address, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, congratulated the new cohort for pursuing higher education in today’s rapidly changing world. In reflecting, she encouraged students to, “take this moment to celebrate your achievements that led you to this point, but remember that your role here as Pelicans is to add to our rich legacy.” Professor Antoine further elaborated, “we will equip you with the skills and abilities you need for the real world, but know that your success is not just for you but to make that difference in your communities, the country, and the world.”

 

 The Matriculating Class of 2025, comprising first-year students of The UWI St. Augustine Campus in their traditional black and white outfits, gathered at the Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Looking ahead, she urged the incoming students to channel their education into advocacy and civic responsibility and to “Take what you learn, go out into your communities, and become a positive force for change.”

Chairing the ceremony, Campus Registrar Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill reminded students that matriculation is more than a formality; it is “a powerful symbol of your readiness to challenge yourself, to grow, and to contribute to a legacy.” She also acknowledged the bravery of first-generation students and reassured all inductees: “Whether you walked in with confidence or you carry questions you’re still figuring out – you are seen, you are valued, and most of all, you are home.”

 

 Members of the Matriculating Class of 2025, first-year students of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, proudly dressed in their traditional black and white attire, stand alongside Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, at the Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

This year’s ceremonial signing of the Academic Register was led by Mr Rhys Lee Samsundar, the top matriculant, a well-rounded student with the highest academic performance, representing the Class of 2025. A graduate of Naparima College, beyond his stellar academic achievements, he has contributed more than 150 volunteer hours at the Point-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust and mentored his peers. Now a student in the Faculty of Engineering, he is pursuing a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

 Top Matriculant, Mr. Rhys Samsundar, signs the official Matriculation Register, witnessed by Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, Campus Registrar, and Mr. Garth Jones, Senior Administrative Assistant, during the Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Closing the ceremony, Dr. De Four-Gill underscored the sense of unity and belonging that matriculation represents: “This matriculation ceremony is sacred to us at The UWI St. Augustine. Not because of tradition alone, but because of what it symbolizes: the expansion of our university family. Welcome to The UWI. Welcome home.”

 

 The UWI Arts Chorale delivers a moving performance at the 2025 Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony held at The UWI SPEC on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

 

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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. 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

 

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