News Releases

The UWI St. Augustine Hosts National Guidance Officers’ Engagement to Support Student Choices

For Release Upon Receipt - June 1, 2026

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – June 1, 2026 - As secondary school students across Trinidad and Tobago prepare to make critical decisions about subjects, careers and tertiary education, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus has moved to strengthen its engagement with the guidance councellors and officers who help students and families navigate those choices.

 The Campus hosted a National Secondary Schools Guidance Officers/Student Support Services Brunch on May 6, 2026, at the University Inn and Conference Centre, bringing together guidance officers and counsellors for a focused conversation on student pathways, programme choices and the transition from secondary school to university.

 The event served as a formal expression of appreciation for the invaluable contributions of guidance officers and counsellors, whose steadfast dedication to student support often goes unrecognised. The initiative was warmly received by attendees who play a pivotal role in shaping the academic and personal development of the students they serve.

 Themed “Making Possible Happen: Guiding Futures Together,” the engagement recognised guidance officers as critical partners in helping students connect their academic decisions to future careers. Through classroom sessions, one-on-one counselling, career days, subject-selection guidance and parent consultations, guidance officers often help students make some of the earliest decisions that shape their future.

 Speaking at the event, Acting Campus Principal Professor Derek Chadee commended guidance officers for their service, noting that the role they play in the lives of young people is critical. He likened them to “the bridge between their potential and possibility.”

 Professor Chadee emphasized that the Campus wanted guidance officers to feel equipped and confident when speaking with students and families about The UWI. He stated, “our aim is to ensure that you are equipped with the information and confidence to speak about what The UWI offers so that students and families can make informed decisions about their future.”

 He underscored the trust students place in guidance officers, noting:

“You help students across the country navigate their academic journeys and envision futures they may never have thought possible. Students do not choose their paths based on brochures alone; they do so based on guidance they trust and from voices they trust. This is why this partnership matters so much to us.”

 The value of that trusted guidance was also reflected in remarks from Director of the Marketing and Communications Office, Mrs Wynell Gregorio, who described guidance councellors and officers as a compass for students considering their next steps.

 She noted that guidance officers help students “find their bearings” when they show them that a subject choice is not merely a box to tick, but a first step on a much longer journey. She added that a career is not only about earning a living, but also about building a life and stressed that “a map can tell you where The UWI is, but a compass asks a deeper question: why does this place matter, and where can it help a young person go?”

 Deputy Deans of Outreach from across the campus's faculties were in attendance, playing an integral role in presenting information on the University's programme offerings and addressing queries raised by guidance officers and counsellors. The session also featured a demonstration of The UWI St. Augustine's #BeUWI app, illustrating how the platform can serve as a practical tool for guiding students through the process of subject selection and into informed decisions about their future career pathways.

 The engagement also highlighted The UWI’s high rankings and reminded guidance officers that the St. Augustine Campus offers more than 800 programmes across eight faculties, providing students with a wide range of academic options and career pathways to explore.

 The session further encouraged guidance officers and prospective students to use the #BeUWI app, which allows users to explore programme offerings by CSEC and CAPE subjects, faculty or career interests.

 END

 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

 Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

 The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu. 

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