The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) advanced its role as The UWI’s central hub for regional and international engagement. Guided by UWI’s Triple A Strategy—Access, Alignment, and Agility—the OGA drove initiatives supporting sustainable development, deepened global partnerships, and enhanced the well-being of Caribbean societies. Its efforts ensured that international collaborations generated academic, research, and development outcomes for both UWI and the wider Caribbean.

ALIGNMENT: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

OGA focused on strengthening high-impact partnerships, expanding collaborations with international development agencies, universities, philanthropic foundations, and industry to drive research, capacity building, student mobility, innovation, and policy advocacy. Noteworthy projects included:

• Fusion Project: Enhanced connections with the Jamaican diaspora in the UK, promoting cultural immersion, business exposure, and academic engagement.
• Digital Transformation: Continued leadership of the Caribbean Development Bank-funded Digital Transformation Project, supporting UWI’s digital agenda and the designation of 2025/2026 as the Year of Digital Acceleration.
• INSIGHT AI Institute: Approval of the Caribbean’s first regional artificial intelligence institute, positioning UWI as a regional leader in responsible AI innovation and governance.
• Climate Resilience: Strengthened partnerships with the Caribbean Landscape Forum, Future Earth, and Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility for climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and disaster risk reduction. Activities included applied research, stakeholder engagement, and the expansion of scholarships and research grants.
• Industry Partnerships: Collaboration with industry stakeholders, such as the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association, to develop industry- relevant education and training, supporting workforce readiness and regional economic growth.
• International Engagement: Coordinated visits, including that of The Hon. Greg Fergus, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, facilitating academic partnerships and student engagement on Canada-CARICOM relations.

ACCESS: EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND PARTNERS

Expanding access remained a core priority. OGA signed and renewed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with institutions such as Breda University of Applied Sciences and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), facilitating collaborative initiatives and student/ faculty exchanges.

Key highlights included:

• Climate Policy and Resilience: Collaborated with the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research to co-host a regional Hurricane Symposium, promoting disaster response best practices and resilience-building across Caribbean states.
• Just Transition Project: Provided strategic oversight for Jamaica’s Just Transition Project, integrating climate justice principles into national policy frameworks.
• Digital Capacity Building: Oversaw the UWI– International Telecommunication Union Academy Training Centre, delivering global ICT policy, cybersecurity, and digital services training.
• Internships and Professional Development: Expanded the Caribbean Airlines internship programme, launched discussions for a regional graduate trainee programme with LIAT20, and led climate finance workshops as part of the Climate Finance Access Network.
• Canada–Caribbean Cooperation: Strengthened ties through the Canada- Caribbean Institute, hosting retreats, symposia, and panels on reparatory justice, climate resilience, and regional security.
• Regional Stakeholder Engagement: Conducted strategic meetings with partners in Trinidad and Tobago (INVEST TT, EU Office, IDB) to explore funding and student development opportunities.

AGILITY: INNOVATION, CLIMATE ACTION, AND GLOBAL NETWORKS

OGA continued to enhance UWI’s agility by engaging emerging global networks and responding to urgent challenges:

• Global Networks and SDGs: Supported the Global University Consortium on SDG 13, strengthening member engagement and resources for climate action.
• South-South Cooperation: Fostered new partnerships with UN agencies, UNESCO, and international institutions, expanding UWI’s reach in climate resilience, disaster response, and advocacy.
• Climate Advocacy: UWI’s membership in the International University Climate Alliance and the development of a Climate Emergency Declaration highlighted its leadership in global climate advocacy.
• Sustainability Reporting: Advanced plans for a UWI Sustainability Report and maintained the agreements database to ensure strategic alignment and responsiveness.

Conclusion

Throughout 2024/2025, the OGA played a pivotal role in advancing UWI’s global mission. Through strategic alignment, expanded access, and institutional agility, OGA delivered measurable impact in research, education, climate resilience, and policy engagement. These initiatives position UWI as a leading regional and global partner committed to sustainable development, innovation, and transformative change across the Caribbean and beyond.