December 2008


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GALA GAINS MOMENTUM

Over $3million raised for regional development fund for UWI

Gala, has attracted over $3 million in donations to the institution. This was announced at the media launch on November 17th, 2008 at the Office of the Campus Principal, UWI St. Augustine. Key to the fundraising has been the support of four major corporate sponsors in the Diamond category, Petrotrin, the National Gas Company (NGC), Western Scientific and BP Trinidad and Tobago. These companies have pledged their support to contributing to the future development of UWI through a regional development fund.

The red carpet affair, also known as Sixty The Gala, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on 12th December and will bring the 60th anniversary celebrations to a close. The Patron of the event is His Excellency, Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and former UWI St Augustine Campus Principal.

Over $3million raised for regional development fund for UWI At the media launch Professor Gurmohan Kochhar, Chair of the Gala Black Tie Fundraising Dinner Committee, urged the University’s stakeholders to renew and strengthen their relationships with the longstanding regional institution.

Mr. Arnold Corneal, Manager of Corporate Communications, Petrotrin, praised the University for “service unequalled in the educational fraternity” and commented on the institution’s impact on the local and regional landscape in the field of education. Mr. Corneal also pledged Petrotrin’s lifelong partnership with The University of the West Indies, asserting that The University had earned the company’s respect and support.

Ms. Jeannette Elias, Manager of Corporate Communications, NGC, also extended congratulations to the University on achieving this significant milestone in their institutional history, and gave her company’s commitment to education at all levels.

Pro Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat noted that The Gala, “sets the stage for stronger partnerships between The University, our regional governments, the leaders of business and industry in the Caribbean, and all our Alumni spread across the Caribbean Diaspora.” His address closed with a final appeal to government, business, industry, alumni and staff to continue to support The University by patronising the event.

Mr. James Richardson, President of the UWI Alumni Association (Trinidad and Tobago Chapter) urged all present to “consider the possibility that in our lifetime, there will be no greater opportunity than this to join The University in demonstrating unflinching dedication to the advancement of our peoples, our nations, and our region as a whole.”

In her closing remarks, Mrs. Dawn- Marie De Four-Gill, University Director of Marketing and Communications, acknowledged the support offered by corporate Trinidad and Tobago.

UWI would like to encourage alumni to support the fundraiser, ‘Sixty The Gala’.
For more information about the Dinner, please contact the Local Organising Committee at
uwi60staugustine@sta.uwi.edu  or (868) 662-2002 Ext. 3635. Contact: The Marketing and Communications Department Tel.: (868)-662-2002 ext. 3635 • Email: uwi60staugustine@sta.uwi.edu