Strategic Engagements and Initiatives

The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) has reinforced its function as a prominent regional and international engagement centre, primarily concentrating on initiatives that stimulate funding opportunities, academic research, resilience, and sustainability.

Alignment with Global Partners

To enhance engagement, OGA has expanded its collaborations with various global entities, including development agencies, universities, foundations, and governments, recognized for their commitment to impactful initiatives.

Fusion Project

In collaboration with the Jamaica Diaspora UK, OGA spearheaded an initiative to connect young professionals with Jamaica. This programme creates work, study, trade, and investment opportunities. Initially set for July 2024, the first visit was delayed due to Hurricane Beryl and is now projected for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Caribbean Development Bank – Digital Transformation Project

OGA is integral to the management of the CDB- funded Digital Transformation Project. A mission in late 2023 facilitated vital discussions with significant stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor and associated project teams.

WIRSPA and MSBM Collaboration

In alignment with The UWI’s dedication to regional industries, efforts commenced in 2023/2024 to develop educational courses tailored to the rum industry.

Open Society Network – Reparatory Justice Grant

PVC Sandrea Maynard successfully obtained a US$350,000 grant to bolster global advocacy for reparatory justice. This funding will support initiatives from organisations such as the Centre for Reparations Research and the PJ Patterson Institute for Global African Advocacy.

UN Multi-Country Office – Communities of Practice (CoPs)

OGA is working alongside the UN MCO to establish Communities of Practice to enhance professional networking and coordinated actions across the Eastern Caribbean. Consultations are still in progress.

IAI Membership and Symposium

The UWI has joined the Inter-American Institute (IAI) to strengthen its scientific agenda. OGA assisted in organising a hurricane symposium in collaboration with the IAI and the World Meteorological Organisation, set for October 2024.

IDB-Invest and International School for Development Justice (ISDJ)

In July 2024, The UWI entered a loan agreement with IDB-Invest to support the ISDJ. The new PVC for Global Affairs has been appointed the school’s President and CEO, officially launched in August 2024. In addition, the PVC represented The UWI at IDB-Invest’s Sustainability Week in Brazil in June 2024, advocating for enhanced regional inclusion.

CAL interns: Ms. Sandrea Maynard, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Affairs, The UWI (second from left) with UWI/CAL Student Interns, Khemronn Felix (left), Judha Marslier and Pradevi Haroop (right)

Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) Grant

In 2024, OGA secured a significant US$590,000 two-year programmatic grant from CLF. This grant will focus on initiatives to build resilience in vulnerable communities and monitor the impacts of Sargassum. It marks the first programmatic grant from CLF received by The UWI.

Partnership with the Consular Corps of Jamaica

OGA facilitated signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The UWI and the Consular Corps of Jamaica. This agreement aims to enhance training and capacity-building efforts that increase awareness about human trafficking among diverse stakeholder groups.

Future Earth Grant and Additional Funding

OGA leads a US$300,000 Future Earth project that emphasizes nature-based solutions. The initiative attracted an extra US$876,000 in funding from partners like Irish Aid and the Canadian New Frontiers in Research Fund.

Connecting Climate Minds Initiative

As the Regional Community Convener for the Connecting Climate Minds project (2023–2024), OGA collaborated with Wellcome and Imperial College London. This project examines the intersection of climate change and mental health, culminating in a global event in Barbados in March 2024, which yielded £104,764 in funding for The UWI.

Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) Initiatives

In 2023/2024, CCRIF awarded US$84,000 in scholarships, an increase from US$61,000 the previous year. Additionally, US$44,440 was granted for two research projects focused on coastal erosion and nature- based hazard mitigation, along with ongoing funding for a climate change and wildfire research project in Barbados, totalling US$24,250.

CCRIF in-person session (L-R): Ms. Lois St Brice, OGA Programme Manager (left) and Ms. Elizabeth Emanuel, Lead Consultant, CCRIF Technical Assistance Manager Teams and Lead Consultant, CCRIF Corporate Communications Teams (2nd from left) with scholarship awardees, CCRIF personnel and UWISTA colleagues at the information session at UWI St Augustine, April 4, 2024.

Five Islands AI Conference Support

OGA was crucial in organising the inaugural Five Islands AI Conference, securing US$3,000 in sponsorship. PVC Maynard moderated a panel on generative AI featuring global experts, contributing to the conversation around artificial intelligence in the region.

Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) Initiatives

OGA continues to support CCI and its associated events, including the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership Forum, CCI Board of Directors meetings, and various panel discussions addressing issues like Haiti’s future and climate change.

PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy

In March 2024, OGA supported a symposium titled “Strengthening Cooperation Between African and Caribbean States,” which featured notable leaders such as PM Mia Mottley and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. The symposium facilitated dialogue on collaborative efforts between regions.

SIDS 4 Conference – St. Kitts and Nevis Partnership

The PVC for Global Affairs participated in discussions at the conference to advance sustainable island development, highlighting the importance of regional collaboration on global challenges. The OGA’s comprehensive initiatives and collaborations illustrate its commitment to advancing regional and global partnerships, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and educational development. By engaging with diverse stakeholders and securing substantial funding, OGA aims to foster innovative solutions that address pressing issues in the Caribbean and beyond.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) ATC

ITU Training: Representatives at the First ITU ATCs Global Annual Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, October 2023. PVC Global Affairs, Ms. Sandrea Maynard (2nd row, 5th from right)

The Office of Global Affairs successfully coordinated a One UWI approach, negotiating with the ITU to establish a single regional UWI Advanced Training Centre (ATC). Finalised in September 2023, UWI ATC is now one of only 13 globally. The ATC will deliver two to eight annual courses in six thematic areas over a three-year period. PVC, Global Affairs, Sandrea Maynard, represented The UWI at the first ITU/ATC annual meeting in Geneva, Switzerland (October 2023).

Caribbean Airlines Regional Internship and Academic Awards

CAL MOU signing: Team UWI and CAL; Members of their senior executives, front row (L-R): Ms Sandrea Maynard, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Affairs, The UWI, Chief Executive Officer, CAL, Garvin Medera, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal at The UWI, St Augustine, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Senior Manager, Talent Management & Employee Experience, CAL, Rekha Williams, University Registrar/Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Maurice D. Smith (standing). OGA Programme Officers Mr. Dale James and Ms. Lois St Brice (standing left).

The Office of Global Affairs formalised an MOU with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) in October 2023 to significantly expand their regional internship programme launched in March 2023. By February 2024, CAL committed to academic awards in eight disciplines (five undergraduate, three postgraduate) across all five UWI campuses, with the first awards set for Semester I of 2024/2025.