The second semester of Academic Year 2023/2024 is well underway at the St Augustine campus in the midst of an early, and somewhat brief, Carnival season.
In my final address for 2023, I spoke of gratitude. Those of us that make up this university community are blessed to be part of an institution of service, created to develop the human potential of our region, advance the collected trove of ideas and knowledge, and provide the insight and expertise necessary for the improvement and prosperity of society. Two of the important motivators of action for most people are purpose and meaning. The UWI offers meaningful work. For this we are grateful and inspired to be able to make a difference. There is much more work to do and we look forward to continuing it.
The campus recently held The Old Yard, a unique Carnival event hosted by the Department of Creative and Festival Arts. Old Yard is not only an innovative event experience that turns its audience into participants, it is also a living museum of valuable lore on the history of traditional Carnival, simultaneously preserving and teaching new generations. This year, Old Yard was even more special as it included a performance by Mr Austin Lyons himself, the musical and cultural icon known as Super Blue. What an incredible endeavour to be part of – preserving history, sharing culture, and making a crowd “jump and wave”.
Undoubtedly, this institution will experience several challenges this year, as indeed we have for several years now. However, I have absolute faith that UWI St Augustine has what it needs to meet its institutional goals and overcome the obstacles before it. I underscore that its greatest asset is our human potential.
Late last month, we opened the doors of the campus and invited in secondary students from all over T&T for the Math Fair. This event, birthed by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has grown from strength to strength. Who could imagine young people clamouring with excitement to learn about math, a subject that is crucial for personal and professional development, but is often viewed with trepidation? Ingeniously, the fair demystifies math, makes it accessible, and shows some of its many uses in an engaging and even entertaining format.
Thousands of students took part in the Math Fair, and that has the potential to translate into many young people provided with a better and more empowering outlook and understanding of the subject, which can benefit them as students and in their careers when the time comes.
I could go on and on. It is always tricky to focus on a single event or a single success because they happen almost every day at UWI St Augustine. As I type this, there are UWI scientists in the lab or at their computers engaged in research with potential benefits for society. There are educators preparing coursework or exams, engaging with their students even on the weekend. UWI staff are in the field or in the planning phase of outreach efforts for communities throughout the nation. They are all bolstered by the professional and support staff, without whom the campus could not function.
Undoubtedly, this institution will experience several challenges this year, as indeed we have for several years now. However, I have absolute faith that UWI St Augustine has what it needs to meet its institutional goals and overcome the obstacles before it. I underscore that its greatest asset is our human potential.
I have long been a true believer in the capacity of Caribbean people. And, time and again, I have personally witnessed the excellence of the academic and non-academic staff of this campus and the wider university. I look forward this year to seeing that excellence on display yet again and scaling greater heights.
On behalf of the entire campus community of UWI St Augustine, I wish to express with confidence that we will embrace this year in that spirit of courage, confidence, and the resilience required to get the job done. Our 2024 will live up to expectations.
