During the 2023–2024 academic year, the Cave Hill Campus continued to build on the momentum generated during its Diamond Jubilee celebrations, commemorating 60 years of excellence and achievement.

This significant milestone was celebrated with various well-executed activities, reflecting on past accomplishments while laying the groundwork for the future.

The academic year focused on four primary priorities:

• Enhancing the quality and relevance of teaching and learning with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
• Improving student support services.
• Strengthening strategic partnerships to fuel research and innovation.
• Implementing measures to ensure financial sustainability.

 

New Campus Council Chair: Dr. Trisha Tannis

The Campus welcomed Dr. Trisha Tannis as the new chair of the Campus Council, effective May 1, 2024.

Dr. Tannis, who received a Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree during the October 2023 graduation, has over 20 years of experience in financial management and corporate governance.She is a Chartered Professional Accountant of Canada and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados and the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada. Dr. Tannis holds a bachelor’s degree with Honours in accounting from The UWI.

The Campus also expressed gratitude to Sir Paul Altman, the outgoing chairman, who served diligently for 15 years.

 

Reaccreditation Preparations

With a successful mid-term accreditation inspection, the Cave Hill Campus began preparations for reaccreditation in 2025. It submitted its annual accreditation report covering June 18 to July 17, 2024. This report included details on initiatives maintained for compliance and plans for the next five years.

Core components of the strategic plan are focused on sustainability and innovation. The Campus aims to establish income-generating centres to monetise innovative research that positively impacts national, regional, and global communities. Additional goals include enhancing access, developing staff and students, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with international developments.

Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The 2023–2024 academic year saw an increased entrepreneurial culture within the Faculty, departments, units, and centres of the Campus. This cultural shift led to a rise in spin-out activities, driven by projects that melded innovation with sustainability, in alignment with the Campus’s strategic objectives.

Outgoing Chairman, Sir Paul Altman, with Pro Vice‐Chancellor and Principal of The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Professor Clive Landis

Pioneering Research: Sargassum Proliferation Solutions

The Campus has continually researched the invasive Sargassum seaweed since it first appeared in the Caribbean in 2011. In the review year, notable research was conducted by staff and students from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES). Dr. Legena Henry, a lecturer in renewable energy and CEO of Rum and Sargassum Inc., led a significant project investigating the conversion of Sargassum into biofuel. This innovative research, upported by a team of students, explored using rum industry wastewater and Barbados Blackbelly sheep manure to create biofuel for motor vehicles.

Achievements from this project during the academic year included securing investments from Future Barbados and Environment Next and introducing the first Sargassum biofuel-powered vehicle, dubbed Test Drive 0. This initiative gained considerable global attention, featured in a BBC podcast, and included a profile of Dr. Henry published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature.

Additionally, Dr. Srinavasa Popuri, a senior lecturer in analytical chemistry at FST, conducted detailed research that contributed to the initiative’s success.

This summary encapsulates key developments, achievements, and strategic directions of the Cave Hill Campus’ academic year, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and educational excellence in response to contemporary challenges and opportunities.