A rare Jamaican Giant Galliwasp (Celestus occiduus) specimen kept in The Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow in Scotland since the 1800s has finally returned to its homeland. Its return to Jamaica marks the successful joint repatriation operation between The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and the University of Glasgow (UofG). To ensure the safe journey of the specimen, a team of experts from The UWI and the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) travelled to Scotland from April 18 to 24.

The Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC) at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) recently held a virtual panel discussion on the multidimensional crisis in Haiti as part of the University's Vice-Chancellor's Forum series. The forum was streamed live on the UWItv platform and featured high-profile subject matter experts.

VIEW REPORT HERE

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is deeply saddened at the passing of its honorary graduand Mr. Ryland Theophilus Campbell. The educator, banker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist passed away on Friday, May 3, 2004, at the age of 81.

The Written Numbers in Everyday Life (NiEL) Project, a groundbreaking collaboration led by Senior Lecturer Dr. Lois George from The UWI, Mona, and Associate Professor Dr Charis Voutsina from the University of Southampton, celebrated its official launch on May 2, 2024. The project garnered rave reviews from early childhood teachers and principals.

The highest governing body of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), the University Council, held its annual business meeting on Friday, April 26. During his opening remarks to the Council, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles declared, “The University of the West Indies has been enormously successful, given its remit and mandate against the colonial background in which it has emerged.” Contextualising its projection into the 21st century, he underscored, “We are now in a position to serve our people even more fundamentally, in terms of their transformation.” 

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies has won the prestigious Google Geo for Good Impact Award for 2023/2024. This international award is as a result of MGI's outstanding work on the project Implementation of Eco-System Adaptation Measures for Kingston Harbour Communities (KHEAM). MGI has been acknowledged for its innovative use of geospatial tools to generate impactful environmental and socioeconomic outcomes for marginalised communities around the Kingston Harbour.

 
The 15th Annual University of West Indies Toronto Benefit Awards marked another successful year of fundraising supporting scholarships for Caribbean students on Saturday, April 20. Held at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto, Canada and hosted by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Anchor, Dr. Dwight Drummond, the gala event was at capacity with 450 guests from executive-level businesses, public personalities, and community leaders. Together, they raised over $400,000 Canadian in one night.

On Monday, May 6, 2024, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) will host a Vice-Chancellor's Forum themed, "The Multidimensional Crisis in Haiti: Recent Diplomatic Developments and the Way Forward". 

The virtual event, accessible on UWItv's website, www.uwitv.global, starts at 9:30 a.m. (AST/Eastern Caribbean) | 8:30 a.m. (EST/Jamaica).