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August 2010
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From the Principal: Welcome back
A fresh group of students has entered our gates over these past few days to find orientation programmes that we have been continuously improving to meet changing demands and to ease the transition into university life. I extend a warm welcome to all new and returning students, as well as to the new members of staff joining our Campus community. Over the last few years, The UWI, as an institution, has been refocusing its emphasis to strengthen graduate studies and research. We understand that the region’s needs demand more research, development and innovation at the postgraduate level, and we have been reconfiguring our capacities to enable us to provide more support at this stage. Coupled with the growing trend of continuous learning and professional development throughout one’s career, the opportunities in graduate studies have led to a larger intake of mature students, whose needs are distinct from students fresh out of secondary school. This is also true for students registering in our Evening University Programmes. In this regard, we have been customizing our services to students to recognise these differences and provide the relevant support. As such, our orientation programmes are far different from what they used to be in times gone by. This is a special year for our Campus because it marks the fiftieth anniversary of the formal establishment of The UWI St. Augustine Campus on October 12th 1960. It is indeed a significant milestone for a Campus that has helped shape the human development of post-Independence Trinidad and Tobago. We have dedicated the week of October 10-15 to celebrating this historic occasion and you will hear more about our activities over the coming weeks. At fifty, we feel we have come of age, having moved past the fledgling days and become internationally recognized as one of the bedrock institutions of the region, an accomplishment of which our founders would indeed be proud. We appreciate our responsibility to provide leadership, knowledge and guidance as well as an opportunity for higher education and a foundation for innovation and critical thinking. Our promise to our incoming and current students is to continue to impart these qualities to the best of our ability and to build a sustainable Campus for future generations. The UWI St. Augustine Campus is fifty and forging ahead! Clement K. Sankat |
With the summer break behind us, the UWI St. Augustine Campus is beginning a new academic year with continued vigour and new programmes as we continue to expand our services and offerings to our national and regional Community.