Latest News

Barbadian technology expert Rodney Taylor has been appointed Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). He is the first Barbadian national substantively appointed to head the CTU in its 32-year history.

He holds a Masters in Management and Information Systems from the University of Manchester, UK and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management from The UWI.  

The 2021 recipients of the Bocas Henry Swanzy Award are Jamaicans Edward Baugh and Mervyn Morris – both Professors Emeriti of The UWI.

Baugh and Morris are widely considered pioneers of the study of West Indian literature, over careers that each span half a century. They are to be honoured by the Bocas Lit Fest with the annual Bocas Henry Swanzy Award for Distinguished Service to Caribbean Letters.

As the last review of governance was undertaken in 2004, and much has changed in all aspects of Caribbean life, and in our political economy and educational landscape, UWI Chancellor Robert Bermudez commissioned a comprehensive review of all aspects of governance to ensure that The UWI overcomes its current challenges and is well prepared for a future that is even more challenging and unpredictable.

A new steelpan manufacturing company will be operational in the fourth quarter of 2021. Musical Instruments of Trinidad and Tobago (MITTCO) is the brainchild of Akua Leith, UWI graduate and the Artistic Director and Conductor of the NationalSteel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Arts from The UWI. MITTCO will produce a full range of high-quality steelpans to supply growing demand both locally and internationally.

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again” (Maya Angelou). Dr. Keith Archibald was indeed a great soul. His journey with The University of the West Indies spanned several decades and included inter alia the titles of Lecturer, Warden, alumnus, colleague and friend.

The honorees are listed below - all are amazing individuals who have positively and significantly impacted their communities and countries and I am sure that you will want to be a part of the fabulous virtual celebration that the AFUWI is hosting. The Barbadian Prime Minister Hon. Mia Mottley and Cedella Marley, OD, CEO of TUFF Gong International, are among seven distinguished recipients.

Creative training institute iCreate Limited’s new General Manager is Shanan Smart, who has been with them for two year and has guided it through the coronavirus pandemic. She holda a BSc. degree in Environmental Biology from The UWI – Mona. In her new role, she will further grow the institute and build-out  several partnerships, with for example the HEART/NSTA, the Digital Marketing Institute and Code Fellows.

She is currently enrolled in the UK-based Digital Marketing Institute Sales Academy where she is pursuing a globally accredited certification in digital and social selling.

UWIAA Presidents and Contacts, as well as Executive members met with the Director of Alumni Relations and the Campus Alumni Officers on Feb 6, 2021 to discuss the successes and challenges of the past year and look towards increasing engagement in the coming year. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a pivot to the virtual world in order to provide alumni relations programming. Myriad resources and methods were used to successfully engage graduates in line with The UWI’s Triple “A” goals of Access, Alignment and Agility.

The Agenda follows for your information:

The first female and youngest ever Chief Agricultural Officer, Ms. Keeley Holder, was appointed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Barbados on February 1, 2021. She holds a BSc. in Biology and Computer Science from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Crop Production and Water Management from Galilee College, Israel.