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University Management

Office of Global Affairs

As an agent for Caribbean development creating, managing and leveraging strategic partnerships forms an essential part of being able to satisfy The UWI’s core commitment to serve as a driving force for the transformation of the Caribbean, its diaspora and the wider world.

Over the period August 2021 to July 2022, the Office of Global Affairs (OGA), worked steadily to create and deepen partnerships in order to maximise opportunities to promote The UWI’s teaching, research and advocacy, bolster its institutional capacity, enhance its efforts at internationalization as well as mobilise external resources.

ACCESS

With its focus sharply on The UWI’s Triple A Strategy, the OGA continues to pursue engagements with a range of partners including development agencies, international universities, philanthropic foundations, and governments.

Caribbean Development Bank

In August 2021 the Vice-Chancellor hosted Dr. Gene Leon, newly appointed President of the CDB, at a forum to discuss the Caribbean Post-Covid Economy. The forum also drew participation from other key regional partners including the newly appointed CARICOM General Secretariat, Dr. Karla Bennett and former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honourable Bruce Golding.

International University Climate Alliance

In November 2021 The UWI officially joined the International University Climate Alliance through an exchange of letters between the Vice-Chancellor of The UWI and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales.

Inter-American Development Bank

The OGA coordinated the high-level visit of the President of the IDB with the Vice-Chancellor at The UWI Regional Headquarters. The visit which took place in December 2021 saw the renewal of an MoU between the IDB and The UWI as serving an opportunity for the IDB to reaffirm its commitment to The UWI and the region as a whole.

UNDP

In April 2022, The UWI and UNDP hosted a landmark joint webinar to celebrate the work and partnership of the two institutions on Climate Change. The highlevel webinar saw remarks being delivered by the Hon. Dean Jonas – Minister of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development and the Blue Economy, Antigua and Barbuda; Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, The UWI; and Dr. Luis Felipe López-Calva, UNDP – UN Assistant General Secretary and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

University Network for Strengthening Macro-financial Resilience to Climate Change and Environment Change

In June 2022, The UWI through SOAS signed an MoU with this University Network to promote academic work and research in the area of Macrofinancing and Climate Change.

ACCESS

l’Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)

In December 2021, The UWI and AUF signed a four-year partnership agreement to establish a French Digital Campus (CNF) on The UWI Mona Campus. Under the agreement, The UWI received approximately US$35,000 in computer and IT equipment and is set to receive an annual grant award to support the operation of the CNF. Throughout the year under review, the OGA and The UWI Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) continued initiating and establishing collaborative arrangements with regional Tertiary Level Institutions (TLIs) through the facilitation of franchise, articulation and joint programming arrangements. To streamline the franchising process, The OGA and QAU conducted Quality Evaluation Assessments with the aim of formalizing agreements with franchise holders for the Faculty of Science and Technology Preliminary Sciences (N1) Programme. Agreements were signed with the following institutions:

  • Knox Community College
  • Brown’s Town Community College
  • Montego Bay Community College
  • The UWI School of Nursing (UWISON) and Excelsior Community College School of Nursing: The Quality Evaluation Assessment conducted on March 21–22, 2022.

CDEMA

The UWI renewed its commitment to CDEMA in December 2021 and participated in the signing of the new MoU reaffirming its support for this regional centre.

OBREAL

The Office initiated the first knowledge sharing collaboration with OBREAL. The collaboration which was open to all campuses and staff was aimed at providing a better understanding of the new EU funding modalities (ERASMUS +) for the Caribbean region. In May 2022, the team also attended the virtual Annual Meeting of OBREAL where priorities were discussed to support education in the region.

Harrison Centre Antigua and Barbuda

On May 16, 2022, representatives from both The UWI and the Harrison Centre met to discuss the importance of expanding the reach of their initiative through The UWI. They also discussed increasing opportunities for young people across the Caribbean by continuing to strengthen our alignment with and support from industry partners regionally.

The Canadian High Commission for Jamaica

On February 23, 2022, the office led and organized a cross campus knowledge sharing event with the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica to sensitize the UWI community about learning exchange opportunities in Canada. In May 2022, The PVC Office Global Affairs had a follow up with the High Commission to discuss new partnership opportunities.

Caribbean-American Heritage Month 2022

Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Affairs, Dr. Stacy RichardsKennedy, delivered the keynote at HSBC-CERG/AFUWI Collaboration on Caribbean-American Heritage Month 2022 on June 29, 2022. Following this event The UWI has furthered discussion with HSBC through AFUWI to build out a new partnership opportunity.

Government of Ireland

In May 2022, The UWI participated in the Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States aimed at expanding opportunities for collaborations. In July 2022, the office disseminated some of the potential funding opportunities from Ireland with the GICSRD management committee.

UK Foreign Office (FCDO) Barbados

The OGA met with the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) in Barbados in February 2022 to build new working partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities.

IDB and Clara Lionel Foundation

In November 2021, The UWI’s Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Affairs fielded a high level inperson mission to Washington D.C and New York to engage strategic donors and partners, (IDB and Clara Lionel Foundation).

McCall MacBain Foundation

The office in collaboration with the McCall MacBain Foundation, hosted a university-wide virtual information session on April 20, 2022, to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the McCall MacBain scholarship at McGill University. The McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s first comprehensive, leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies.

AGILITY

Database of Agreements

During the year under review, the OGA continued to maintain the database of agreements between The UWI and other institutions. At present, the database includes more than 500 agreements with other institutions including educational, governmental, development agencies and private companies. Among the notable additions for the period are the MOUs signed with IDB, University of Waterloo, International Universities Climate Alliance and CDEMA.

THE UWI’S GLOBAL CENTRES Canada-Caribbean Institute Better Must Come: The Past & Promise of Progressive Politics

On March 31, 2022, the Canada-Caribbean Institute, anchored by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and Brock University in Ontario, hosted an online discussion to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Election of Michael Manley. Speakers included Dr. Michael Witter; Ms. Niki Ashton, MP; Dr. Simon Black and H.E. Ambassador Aloun Assamba. To view: https://brocku.ca/ canada-caribbean-institute/news-events/past-events/

The UWI Hosts Canadian Minister for a Panel Discussion

On April 20, 2022, The UWI and The High Commission of Canada in Jamaica hosted Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, The Hon. Mary Ng, for a panel discussion on “Clean Sustainable Growth in the Caribbean”. The Minister, who led a Trade Mission with Canadian exporters to the region, met with government officials and leaders in green sector industries, to explore sustainable business opportunities in clean technology and green infrastructure.