News Releases

New UWI St. Augustine Guild Installed: Commits to Informed and Impartial Leadership

For Release Upon Receipt - June 3, 2026

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. June 02, 2026 – 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 19, 2026, as the baton of leadership was passed from the outgoing Guild of Students Council to the newly installed team for the 2026/2027 academic year. In a ceremony that underscored both continuity and change, incoming Guild President Joshua Jitta pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors, committing to a style of leadership marked by informed advocacy, accountability and impartiality.

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.

Outgoing Guild President Vedanand Hargobin also shared parting words of encouragement.

“Advocacy is not just about being loud. Advocacy is about being strategic. It is about knowing when to speak, when to listen, when to negotiate, when to stand firm and when to choose the long road because it gets students a better result. The students do not need leaders who only know how to fight. They need leaders who know how to deliver.”

He urged the new Council to lead with humility, courage, patience and love for the student body, reminding them they inherit the hopes, frustrations, needs and expectations of thousands of students. When the work becomes difficult, he said, they must remember the role is not about them, but about those they serve.

Incoming Guild President Joshua Jitta said his administration will be guided by a clear philosophy of informed and impartial leadership. “Non nobis solum nati sumus,” meaning “not for ourselves alone are we born”. For the President and his executive, this phrase is a reminder that leadership must always be rooted in service. He further explained that “the collection of student voices did not end on election day. Today, that principle continues in service.” From the new Council’s perspective, they have now accepted the responsibility to represent and to advocate with purpose.

Jitta emphasized that “this Council enters office knowing that representation requires more than speaking on behalf of students; it requires listening closely to them. In every meeting, every difficult decision, and every act of advocacy, we intend to remain guided by the voices of the students we serve and by the belief that institutions grow stronger when people feel heard.”

Professor Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw, then Acting Deputy Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, congratulated the incoming Guild Council and expressed appreciation to outgoing members for their service. Emphasising the importance of student leadership and representation, she noted that “for more than six decades, the Guild has served as the recognized voice of students and an important bridge between students and University administration.”

She further reminded the new Council that “at the heart of every successful Guild is effective leadership grounded in integrity, empathy and an attitude of service to others,” adding that these qualities are demonstrated through “careful listening, thoughtful decision-making and the ability to foster unity in pursuit of a common goal.”

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 2026/2027 academic year are:

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Members of the 2026/2027 Guild Council of Students of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus. Photo credit: Stephon Hinds, UWI Student.

 

 

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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