At The UWI St Augustine Campus, student life extends well beyond the lecture theatre. With more than 90 clubs and associations, sporting opportunities, cultural activities, student support services and a packed calendar of events, there are many ways for students to make their university experience their own.
For the 2026–27 Guild of Students’ Council, helping students make the most of those opportunities is a key priority for the academic year.
While the wider Council has a full programme of social, sporting and cultural activities planned, Vice President Ryan Duncan says student welfare will also be a major focus.
Students can expect increased promotion of available services, including financial advice, Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS), peer mentorship and employment opportunities. The Council will also continue promoting campus security measures and emergency hotlines, while developing targeted support drives.
The emphasis on welfare goes alongside student engagement.
“We have over 90 clubs,” Duncan said. “UWI is not just about academia. It's about finding yourself and getting out of your comfort zone while making lasting, fond memories.”
Duncan would particularly like to see more students explore the financial advisory services offered through the Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD).
“There are many opportunities for assistance, services you can access and even how to make some pocket change,” he said.
National Affairs Committee Chairperson Christopher Rocke said, “I wish more students would utilise the CAPS services from DSSD,” because it includes counselling and therapy.
The Council is continuing its partnership with DSSD and CAPS, as well as its peer mentorship programme, while also looking at improved concessions and discounts for students.
For International Affairs Committee Chairperson Analeicia Edmund, The UWI website is another valuable resource.
As an international student, Edmund said the website provided important information before she physically arrived at the campus.
“Coming to campus for information was not feasible, but all the information I needed was right on the website,” she said.
She would like them to take advantage of the sporting opportunities and available facilities.
The Council’s committees have a varied programme planned for the academic year, with opportunities spanning student advocacy, culture, sport, entertainment and community building.
Among the initiatives is the return of Matta Foods, a long-standing tradition of providing students with a meal during the examination period. The National Affairs Committee will also continue advocacy on national issues, alongside debates, competitions, workshops and cultural exhibitions.
The Public Relations Office and Publications Committee will continue the “Chat to Yuh Councillor” series, which began as a virtual Q&A for incoming students seeking information about acceptance and registration. The series will expand to cover a wider range of topics and provide a consistent avenue for students to engage with their representatives.
The International Affairs Committee also introduced Island Blockos in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Hall. The monthly celebrations will bring students together around regional and international cultures, while giving associations an opportunity to showcase and sell local food and drinks.
An Island Excursion: Toco Edition is planned for October, followed by an Island Games Night ahead of Semester One examinations. Semester Two will bring a major Caribbean Integration Season, alongside an inter-island competition still being developed.
The sporting calendar includes GUADIY, the annual Get Up and Do It Yourself Football Tournament in October, as well as a Guild 5K in January and an inter-faculty sports day.
A Christmas celebration is also being planned through a collaboration between the National Affairs, Student Activity and International Affairs Committees.
The new Council has already had an opportunity to bring its approach to student engagement to life through Guild Fest 2026.
Over three days, students took part in activities celebrating entrepreneurship, regional and international culture, local traditions, food and entertainment.
Day One highlighted student-owned businesses and included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Day Two focused on regional and international students, as well as students living on the halls of residence, while Day Three celebrated local culture before the closing ceremony.
Among the highlights was the return of the Legendary Pan on the Quad, featuring the Birdsong SteelBand and the Defence Force Steel Orchestra. Taste Trinbago added a culinary dimension, showcasing local dishes and treats, including authentic Tobago sweets.
For Edmund, one of the event’s successes was the Council’s ability to adapt while keeping its plans on track.
“We had a plan and were able to not just follow through but adapt along the way,” she said.
For Duncan, Edmund and Rocke, serving on the Guild Council is also an opportunity to learn while taking on the responsibilities of student leadership.
Duncan, a first-year student, identified “adapting and understanding all the different processes” as one of his biggest challenges.
Edmund, a third-year student, said, “It doesn't matter how long you've been in leadership, you don't know everything and there's always something to learn.”
Working with different personalities can also be challenging, she added, making the Guild retreat an important opportunity for councillors to learn how to work together.
For Rocke, who is in his final year, balancing Guild responsibilities with his studies is an ongoing challenge.
“Time balance will always be a challenge, there's much to do as well as balancing my studies also,” he said.
The three councillors interviewed for this article offered a glimpse into the wider Council’s plans, from financial advice and mental health support to employment opportunities, campus safety, peer mentorship and student activities.
