In its ongoing pursuit to be “an excellent global university rooted in the Caribbean”, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) maintains a dynamic presence in regional and international higher education networks. The UWI has continued to offer its leadership and contributions for the advancement of quality instruction and research, advocacy and innovation in several collaborative associations, spanning Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Europe.

The UWI serves in executive leadership positions through the participation of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, in the Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUALC); Universities Caribbean (formerly the Association of Caribbean Universities and Research Institutes (UNICA); the Permanent Academic Forum of Rectors of Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe (FAP LAC-EU), and in the Hemispheric University Consortium (HUC) which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

Through the proactive participation of the Latin American-Caribbean Centre (LACC), the focus on key issues of priority to the Caribbean are being brought to the fore in UDUALC, FAP LAC-EU and the HUC.

UDUALC is here 73 years later!

An initiative by LACC to ensure greater inclusivity, refocus the agenda on Caribbean higher education priorities, and raise the profile of the Caribbean region within UDUALC, was unanimously adopted at a special General Assembly in November 2022 in Bogota, Colombia. The 73 year old association of more than 300 members, voted for visible universal representation by agreeing to change its acronym to include the Caribbean, transforming from UDUAL to UDUALC.

Ambassador Gillian Bristol, LACC Director, who championed this initiative, noted that “this new acronym more accurately captures the full name and intent of the Union, to be a fully integrated regional network, and one that is aligned with the principles of inclusivity, diversity, equality and social justice.” She underscored that while the change of one letter might seem a simple adjustment, the significance was profound and its impact would be far-reaching. Director Bristol added that having to write and say the new acronym was compelling a revision of old ways of thinking in a strongly Latin-focussed association and leading to a more conscious embracing of The UWI and the Caribbean as partners of value in higher education.

The proposal was endorsed by the Vice-Rector of the University of Havana, Dr. Mayda Goite Pierre, who spoke as Vice-President of UDUALC for the Caribbean region. Dr. Goite Pierre pointed out the importance of inclusivity in this regional organisation, especially for the smaller island members.

Dr. Roberto Escalante, UDUALC Secretary General stated that “As its name indicates, since its foundation, the UDUAL was already formed as a Latin American and Caribbean organisation, however, it was necessary to make the Caribbean visible in the acronym, given its political, social and cultural relevance.” He recalled that the membership recognised “the importance of incorporating the letter "C" corresponding to the Caribbean region in our identity images” and “that the acronym, UDUALC, … makes Latin American integration visible and ratifies the commitment to the integration of higher education throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.” He cited the Bogotá Declaration adopted by the General Assembly: "Integration will have to be approached as a joint process of construction, in which we all contribute. This is the central task of the coming years and we commit ourselves to its fulfilment".

As a result of this Extraordinary General Assembly, the necessary changes have been gradually implemented in the General Secretariat to incorporate the new acronym both in institutional documentation and in official stationery and printed and audiovisual products. Likewise, a call was launched among the schools of Arts and Design of the affiliated universities for the design of the new logo, which will be unveiled on 1 June 2023.

Both the General Secretariat of the UDUALC and its affiliated universities celebrated this historic event, given the organisation's commitment to building a truly integrated Latin America and the Caribbean that is representative of its cultural mosaic

Watch this space for the new UDUALC logo!