Who we are
Through research, teaching, partnerships, and advocacy, we support communities and the environments in which we operate.
About Us
Just over 70 years old, The University of the West Indies is the highest ranked university in the Caribbean (ranked by Times Higher Education, the world’s most reputable ranking agency).
Global ranking
Ranked among the top 600 universities in the world for 2019 and 2020, and among the 40 best universities in Latin America and the Caribbean for 2018 and 2019, we fully embrace our role as a regional leader and ethical global citizen.
Global engagement
As a globally-engaged university, we are committed to providing solutions for climate action and sustainability, particularly within the perspective of the Caribbean reality.
Our 2017-2022 strategic plan has provided sharper focus on the importance of developing a culture of resilience and resilience planning in the Caribbean through a number of initiatives with global impact.
Regional relevance
Our mission is to advance learning, create knowledge and foster innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean and the wider world. As the region’s premier research academy, The UWI’s foremost objective is driving the sustainable growth and development of the Caribbean region.
THE Impact Rankings for Global Universities
Out of 768 universities, from 85 countries, The UWI placed in the top 200 category, in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2020, for its work on the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing
- SDG5: Gender Equality
- SDG13: Climate Action
The UWI achieved this ranking based on the THE’s assessment of universities’ research, outreach, and stewardship of the SDGs. The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the UN’s SDGs, based on their research, outreach, and stewardship of the SDGs.
Our history
For over seven decades, The UWI has provided service and leadership, and the body of scientific research generated by the University is pivotal to transforming the region into a climate smart zone.
The UWI has evolved from a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948 to an internationally respected, regional university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and an Open Campus.
As part of our robust globalisation agenda, The UWI has established partnering centres with universities across the globe.
North America
The State University of New York (SUNY)-UWI Center for Leadership and Sustainable Development
The Canada-Caribbean Institute with Brock University
Latin America
The Strategic Alliance for Hemispheric Development with Universidad de los Andes (UNIANDES)
The UWI-University of Havana Centre for Sustainable Development
Europe
The UWI-Coventry Institute for Industry-Academic Partnership with the University of Coventry
The Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research with the University of Glasgow
Africa
The University of Lagos (UNILAG)-UWI Institute of African and Diaspora Studies
The Institute for Global African Affairs with the University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Asia
The UWI-China Institute of Information Technology
Pioneering climate action across the region for over a decade.
We are called upon to intensify our climate action andto mainstream sustainability thinking and planetary economics into all that we do, as we imagine the future we want into existence.
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