The St Augustine campus of The University of the West Indies has grown from strength to strength over its 60 years of delivering quality academic instruction, research and innovation services to the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and the world. From early beginnings in St Augustine at the former Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, the campus has expanded to include satellite campuses at Mount Hope, Penal-Debe and a teaching hospital at Couva. St Augustine hosts the only Faculty of Food and Agriculture within The UWI. This, I believe, is not only an appropriate tribute to its beginnings, but also makes a c
lear statement to stakeholders that the role of agriculture remains central to development of the country and the region.The leadership of the campus past and present, are commended for their vision and commitment to ensuring a continuous upward trajectory for the campus over the years. The year 2020 has proven to be a challenging one with a global pandemic creating uncertainty and unpredictability in all our lives. Principal Brian Copeland and his management team, together with their remarkable academic, administrative and support staff, were unrelenting in their efforts to ensure that students were not disadvantaged in the transition to online teaching. I salute them for bringing the 2019-2020 academic year to a successful close.
As we look to the future, I am confident that prudent management and adherence to an admirable vision, will ensure that the campus continues on a positive development path.
Heartiest congratulations!
Sixty years ago, the St Augustine Campus was established in Trinidad and Tobago, building on the foundation of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture. It is fitting that a discipline so fundamental to the history and development of the Caribbean should be the bedrock on which would rise a strong and focused academic enterprise, committed to research, innovation, entrepreneurism, excellence and service. St Augustine has expanded to include satellite campuses at Mount Hope, Penal-Debe and a teaching hospital at Couva. It is undoubtedly the most significant provider of higher education services in Trinidad and Tobago. This metamorphosis is as a result of the vision and hard work of the current and past leadership of the campus and the ongoing commitment of successive governments of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and other contributing countries to The University of the West Indies. I thank them for all their support.
In this year of COVID, characterised by uncertainty and unpredictability, a dynamic Principal, Professor Brian Copeland, together with a highly qualified and committed team of academic and administrative staff across eight faculties and specialised centres and institutes, demonstrated in a most magnificent manner what teamwork and a positive attitude to ensuring delivery of academic instruction to more than 15,000 students, could achieve. Enrolment this semester, for the 2020-2021 year is at 15,500, a remarkable confirmation of the confidence that the people of the region have in the St Augustine Campus and by extension, The University of the West Indies..
Onward and upward! Blessings!
Congratulations on building a legacy that started 60 years ago with the birth of the second UWI campus. From the moment the first small cohort of students signed up for accessible education at the then University College of the West Indies, The UWI St Augustine brand was forged. Over the years, our campus has become synonymous with a high standard of education and Caribbean- based innovation, and has acted as a catalyst for national development.
The UWI St Augustine started with an emphasis on agricultural research, and now our faculty, staff, students, and alumni live out their Pelican Pride showcasing excellence in their research, knowledge creation, and service across all eight of our faculties including Engineering, Food and Agriculture, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and most recently, Sport, as well as in our centres, institutes and units.
Over its 60 years, the campus has evolved as a global authority on Caribbean academia, and as an agent of cultural change. UWI St Augustine has produced thousands of thought leaders who advocate for justice and equity for all, and many other important causes that advance human and planetary health.
Creating a successful brand that has sustained for six decades in the hearts and minds of people all over the Caribbean diaspora and the globe is an extraordinary accomplishment. I salute the faculty, staff, and students of The UWI St Augustine and look forward to continuing to make our brand our success.
