On Thursday, September 18, first year students of the UWI St Augustine attended a ceremony at the Sport and Physical Education Centre to formally welcome them and recognise their journey into higher education. The Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony encouraged the attendees to make the most of their time on campus and continue the university’s legacy of academic excellence and service to regional development.
Speaking at the ceremony which also included parents, guardians and other supporters, Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine addressed the students as “the newest members of The UWI St Augustine campus family”. Prof Antoine thanked them for choosing UWI and “entrusting us with your future”.
Pointedly, she added, “We are confident that you have made the best choice.”
The matriculants, all clad in white shirts and black pants or skirts, appeared both excited and nervous as they listened to the speakers and the triumphant voices of The UWI Arts Chorale. For the majority of them, Academic Year 2025/2026 represents a transition to a new and very different chapter of their lives.
“Every significant journey’s destination begins with a meaningful first step,” Campus Registrar Dr Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill told the students. “Today, your matriculation is that step.”
Matriculation is the formal process of entering a university. At The UWI, it brings together new students with the campus senior administrators, deans, student representatives, and other senior personnel. The top matriculant, Rhys Samsundar, signed the Academic Register on behalf of all first-year students, alongside Dr De Four-Gill, symbolising their acceptance to the university and agreement to adhere to its rules.
“For us at the St Augustine campus,” said Dr De Four-Gill, “matriculation is more than a formality. It represents your official entry into a community of scholars.”
She asked the students in attendance how many of them were first generation members of their family to attend university, saying it was both a personal and family milestone.
Matriculation ceremonies took place at all of The UWI’s campuses in the Caribbean, and a video message by UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles was shared with attendees.
Sir Hilary reminded the students that they are now members of an academic community with a tradition of working towards the betterment of the region.
“The UWI is a public university,” he said. “It is a regional university. Its primary concern is the development of all of our communities.”
The sentiment was shared by UWI Alumni Association T&T Chapter president Ms Arlene Hamblin-Paul, who asked the students to “remember, you have been accepted into one of the best universities in the world, ranked in the top 5 percent of universities globally”, calling it a “great responsibility”.
But Ms Hamblin-Paul’s message was not only about duty to the university. As a graduate representing UWI alumni across T&T, she spoke from her own student experience, saying “cherish these moments. The experience will strengthen you and give you memories that will last a lifetime.”
As one of the highlights of the ceremony, the Campus Principal lit the “Flame of Excellence” along with Guild of Students President Vedanand Hargobin.
