The iconic UWI “Fete for a Cause” holds a special place in the calendars of Carnival connoisseurs. But the real impact of the annual event is seen for years onward. After the event ends, all proceeds are directed to The UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF). To date, that fund has granted approximately 4,035 bursaries and some 67 scholarships totalling over $21 million to deserving students.
That is just the start of what UWIDEF does – and what it plans to achieve in the coming year. The fund is managed by a board whose Chairman, Dr Sterling Frost, is also the St Augustine Campus' first Professor of Practice – Management Studies. Apart from these roles, Dr Frost serves as Deputy Group CEO, Operations and Administration at First Citizens Bank, and Chairman of FEEL – one of the most prominent NGOs in T&T – among other roles.
Dr Frost says that the fund's major annual event is set to be renewed in 2023 following its two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
“We are looking to host one of the largest UWI Fetes in recent memory next year – and we want to max out the enjoyment of the event for patrons,” he explains. “We also have other events in mind, including the return of The UWI Golf Classic and expanding a new event we just held in July, Fête Champêtre: The Garden Party. That event was held to whet the appetite for the main event on January 22, 2023, and it was so well-received that The Garden Party will be on our annual calendar of events going forward."
The UWIDEF was established in April 1989, with the primary objective of providing scholarships at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Its intention was then, as it remains now, “to promote academic excellence for deserving students that were experiencing financial hardship,” according to Dr Frost.
“We also utilise this funding for areas of selected research, endowment chairs and lectureship in key disciplines, and as necessary for capital projects. During the pandemic, the fund also contributed close to $0.5 million for devices for students in need at the St Augustine Campus. Those devices have since been placed into a loan programme managed by the Alma Jordan Library.”
Today, the fund is growing in meaningful ways. Dr Frost notes that he is intent on doubling efforts in support of students because there is increased hardship – given what is happening globally and felt locally.
“One learning from the pandemic has been the realisation that the fund can't be linked only to physical events to generate income. We need to develop the space of e-charity. This would allow the public and/or alumni to make direct donations, whether by a lump sum or by standing order if they so choose, at anytime and anywhere in the world.”
He also highlights that all net proceeds from The UWIDEF fundraising events under their management go directly into the fund. “There are no administration fees, and our financial accounts are audited by certified auditors – right now that is PWC [PricewaterhouseCoopers]. I believe that our house must always be in order and we take our fiduciary responsibility very seriously, ensuring sound, ethical legal governance and financial management systems, processes and policies are in place."
According to Dr Frost, national development is led first by education.
“The social and economic development of nations is fundamentally an education process. Educating people alters patterns of behaviour, and that becomes a catalyst for the closely interrelated social, economic and demographic changes that result in what we call economic development.”
Interestingly, the man behind the mission to help as many deserving students as possible to receive tertiary education knows better than many about their situations.
“My parents couldn't afford to send me to pursue tertiary education. Every degree I have done up to my doctoral studies, I have had to work while studying. I never had the luxury of full-time education. And knowing how difficult balancing work and studies can be, I understand what the benefit is to someone studying full-time, and I want to give every person possible that opportunity. This is what drives me.”
Dr Frost is also an ardent horticulturist and zoophilist. He recently showcased some of his African geese and peafowl at the CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo II held in Port of Spain in mid-August 2022. They were extremely well-received by attendees – many of whom had never seen these types of birds before.
Dr Frost has also serves as Chairman of several NGOs and advisory boards, Deputy Chair of the Public Service Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, Assessor of the Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago, and Director of Angostura Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, and several other companies.
You can learn more about his work at his website, sterlingkfrost.com.
