Inducted to accolades, Campus Principal Rose-Marie Belle Antoine stresses campus’ role in serving communities and a pragmatic approach to getting things done
On Saturday, January 21, 2023, UWI’s St Augustine campus inducted its 10th Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine.
It was a moment of praise for both her many accomplishments and the promise that her leadership could bring to university and regional societies in the midst of many social, economic, and environmental challenges.
A “daughter of the Caribbean, a UWI graduate, and a distinguished award-winning scholar who has made significant contributions to policy and jurisprudence in the Caribbean and globally”, was how UWI Chancellor Mr Robert Bermudez described Professor Antoine.
The UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, called her a “history-maker” and “freedom fighter”. He said that her “record of distinguished leadership and development expertise... her tenacity... sharp intellect and deep commitment to our people” have left her colleagues with “no doubt that she will strengthen this team and see to it that we continue to be rooted, ready and rising”. He also pointedly addressed the role she would play in these difficult times for The UWI and the Caribbean.
“Our new Principal joins the management team… at a time when we are facing our greatest challenges,” he said, laying out her task to propel the St Augustine campus on its mission “to contribute to the next systemic transformation of the Caribbean economy”.
A self-proclaimed and proud “intercampus citizen”, having experienced three campuses during her illustrious teaching career, Professor Antoine has defined her life by creating paths and fostering change. She has served as the Director of UWI’s Master of Law (LLM) and the foundational Dean of The UWI St Augustine’s Faculty of Law, has successfully executed transformational work in Caribbean discrimination and civil liberties law, and founded the ground-breaking International Human Rights Clinic.
Her chosen theme for the induction ceremony was “Together we can create change”.
The event, which took place at the Daaga Auditorium on campus, was attended by university officials and regional dignitaries, including St Lucia’s current Prime Minister, Philip J Pierre; and former Prime Minister (and Professor Antoine’s husband) Dr Kenny Anthony; Jamaica’s former Prime Minister, PJ Patterson; Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Justice, Ivor Archie; Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly; National Security Minister Mr Fitzgerald Hinds; Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Ms Lisa Morris-Julian; Opposition Leader Mrs Kamla Persad Bissessar; Chief of the First Peoples, Mr Ricardo Bharath; and members of the judiciary.
A variety of musical entertainers interspersed the proceedings. These included some of UWI St Augustine’s most talented performers such as The UWI Arts Steel Orchestra, and The UWI Arts Chorale, who accompanied soprano Natalia Dopwell. UWI graduates Laurissa and Renelle Maharaj (who performed on the violin and viola), musician and vocalist Abhijit Anchortassoo, and Khion de Las and Daniel Ryan (who performed a duet on the steelpan and saxophone) also entertained the audience.
The ceremony began with the Academic Procession, where Deans, lecturers and other members of academic staff filtered into the venue and were seated. Following this was the Chancellor’s Procession, which saw the university’s leaders, including the inductee, enter the auditorium in front of a standing audience and take their seats on stage. Dr Maurice D. Smith, University Registrar and event Chair, then began the official proceedings. University and regional leaders took the stage to offer Professor Antoine warm congratulations.
Deputy Campus Principal of the Cave Hill campus Professor Winston Moore, described Professor Antoine as a champion for issues of health, discrimination and gender. Professor Ian Boxhill, Deputy Campus Principal of the Mona campus, touted her strength, particularly as an advocate for women’s rights.
“When women lead, rivers flow upstream,” Professor Boxhill said, citing an Ethiopian proverb.
Ms Sharon Christopher, Chair of The UWI St Augustine Campus Council, shared her joy at Professor Antoine’s appointment:
“As I stand here today, at the first induction of a female Campus Principal in [St Augustine’s] 63-year history, I am indeed delighted.”
Ms Christopher affirmed Professor Antoine’s suitability to lead the campus through The UWI’s impending “institutional transformation”, a role requiring “a focus and a will that [she] has successfully demonstrated in every endeavour”.
Professor Antoine’s capacity to foster change is bolstered by the ease with which she builds relationships “at the most granular levels,” observed former Jamaican Prime Minister Patterson. “That has enabled her...to know and work with people across the entire region through constructive engagements in learning, teaching, research... and community service.”
After her induction, Professor Antoine stepped up to the podium. She expressed gratitude for the significant change she was able to create.
“It is a joyous feeling when one’s outputs do not sit on a shelf, but breathe life and effect real change – to laws, to lives,” she said, adding that in her new role “there is a broader landscape and opportunity”.
She aims, she said, to extend the campus’ reach and impact to communities: “This campus must be entrenched in its community to have relevance.”
Among her plans for the St Augustine campus are taking stronger action against climate change; increasing revenue “through a more entrepreneurial thrust”; preparing students for “this new, more complex world”; and seeking to “better understand and serve the national agenda”.
Large intentions they may be, she acknowledged, but she is committed to seeing those plans through.
“As an unapologetic pragmatist, what I can promise you is that I, we, will build one step at a time. Our dreams are nothing if not backed up by practical action and a sense of purpose.”
Interested less in legacy, and more in results, the UWI St Augustine Campus Principal said, “When I leave this place, it will be enough for me to have you say, ‘she was useful and got things done’.”
