The UWI Global Campus (UWIGC) across various Caribbean locations has enhanced educational access and collaboration with governmental and local organizations.

In the Cayman Islands, the Global Campus strengthened its partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE). For the 2023/2024 academic year, nineteen Caymanians received full scholarships through the Ministry’s Scholarship Secretariat, enabling them to pursue senate-approved academic programmes. A significant formalisation occurred with signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and The UWIGC. This MOU aims to foster collaboration in key areas, including the joint implementation of academic programmes, cooperative planning and design of activities of mutual interest, and facilitating the seamless transition of students from UCCI associate degree programmes into The UWIGC offerings.

Additionally, the MOU between The UWIGC and Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service was renewed. This initiative is crucial for inmate rehabilitation through access to quality education and training, which aids in breaking the cycle of incarceration. Currently, four inmates are enrolled in senate-approved programmes, specifically in Paralegal Studies and Psychology. Notably, one inmate has achieved a GPA of 4.50 in the BSc Psychology programme, earning placement on the Honour Roll.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Global Campus experienced a boost in government-sponsored annual tuition scholarships, which led to a substantial increase in student enrolment, rising from 359 awardees in 2022/2023 to 570 in 2023/2024. The Business Development Unit (BDU) was pivotal in enhancing higher education participation by collaborating with other campus teams to promote scholarship opportunities and expand access to the Global Campus’s programme offerings. One significant initiative was the MOU signed between the Organisation of American States (OAS) and The UWI, aimed at providing scholarships that facilitate access to tertiary education. Under this agreement, eleven students enrolled in the Certificate and BEd Early Childhood Education Programmes will benefit from the scholarships.

Efforts to increase enrolment were extended to non-senate-approved programmes as well. Targeted marketing initiatives tailored to specific audiences proved successful, particularly in Dominica, where Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) student enrolment surged to 1,198. The Site facilitated numerous CPE courses and generated over US$153,844 in revenue from CPE activities for the 2023/2024 academic year, surpassing its initial goals.

In Barbados, the Global Campus continued its CXC/ CSEC Educational and Enrichment Programme, focusing on lifelong learning and supporting second-chancers. This year, 121 students pursued selected CXC/CSEC subjects. The programme benefited from sponsorship by several private sector organisations, which provided awards for high-achieving students, good conduct, and recognition for participating schools, significantly contributing to the programme’s success.

A notable development in educational delivery occurred with the franchise agreement between PREU Polytechnic (formerly Pre-University School) and The UWI, executed on January 22, 2024. This agreement enables PREU Polytechnic to offer three of the Global Campus’s Associate Degree programmes to PREU students. The quality assurance review process for these programmes was completed during the 2023/2024 academic year, with expectations of approximately 500 students enrolling over three years, thereby generating franchise fees for the Global Campus.

Addressing student concerns remained a priority during the 2023/2024 academic year. The Academic Programming and Delivery (APAD) unit implemented various measures, including one-on-one academic advising sessions to help students navigate the registration process and make informed course selections. Training sessions were also conducted for facilitators, staff, and students, covering essential topics such as utilising the Learning Exchange gradebook, quiz training, navigation, and the Noodle Factory AI Chatbot. The integration of the Noodle Factory AI Chatbot within course pages serves as a teaching assistant, providing real-time assistance by answering student queries based on updated course content.

Through these efforts, the Global Campus fostered educational opportunities and emphasized the importance of collaboration between institutions and communities. The initiatives were instrumental in promoting higher education accessibility, supporting diverse student needs, and enhancing the overall learning experience across the Caribbean. This holistic approach positions the Global Campus as a vital contributor to the region’s educational development and community upliftment.

From Open to Global

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) launched a bold new era by rebranding its Open Campus as the Global Campus. This decision, approved by the University Council in 2023, paves the way for expanded opportunities and underscores the Campus’ commitment to providing innovative education tailored for a global audience.

The UWI established a dedicated, multifaceted Implementation Committee to facilitate the transition of this ambitious initiative. Changes began on August 1, 2023, leading to the full launch of the Global Campus in January 2024. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles emphasised the significance of this transformation: “The tremendous legacy of the Open Campus and its future role can only be secured through fundamental restructuring and reengineering.”

A cornerstone of the new vision for the Campus is the introduction of the International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a for-profit business school focused on delivering innovative postgraduate programmes centred on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). This school aims to build on the high-quality standards established by the Open Campus, ensuring effective dissemination of educational content through an online format that caters to a diverse audience.

Dr. Francis O. Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, highlighted the potential of the Global Campus to reshape the educational landscape. “It illustrates that we are part of a larger movement that will lead us into the global sphere.” This underscores The UWI’s commitment to guiding the Caribbean region through the complexities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution via advanced digital learning technologies and practices.

As The UWI celebrated its 75th anniversary, the rebranding served as a crucial reflection on its evolutionary journey. Starting with the Extra-Mural Department in 1948 and progressing through various iterations—including the School of Continuing Studies and the UWIDITE and UWIDEC programmes—the transition to the Global Campus represented both continuity and change. According to Vice-Chancellor Beckles , “This evolution to the Global Campus is both a strategic move and the next logical step in our already successful global strategy.”

“We approach this as One UWI, with our signature resolve,”he asserted.

With its forward-looking aspirations, The UWI’s new Global Campus aims to maintain its Caribbean roots while emerging as a significant player in international education. The reimagined identity not only signifies a new chapter for The UWI, but also catalyses innovation and academic excellence. It promises to enhance the University’s reputation as a world-class institution poised to make a lasting impact on the global educational landscape.

Rightsizing and Restructuring

The Campus is actively working on rightsizing to meet stakeholder needs better and adapt to the evolving educational environment. This involves reviewing and restructuring to ensure alignment with the Campus’ mission and goals, preparing for its role as the Global Campus. The focus is on strengthening . This initiative aims to make the Campus more efficient, flexible, and relevant to industry needs while continuing to fulfil its essential role.