On April 2, 2026, the University of the West Indies (The UWI), in collaboration with UNESCO Jamaica, hosted a public lecture under the theme “Out of Many, One Shared Humanity: UNESCO for the People.” The lecture was delivered by UNESCO Director-General, Professor Khaled El-Enany, and marked a historic milestone as it represented the first visit by a UNESCO Director-General to Jamaica in over two decades.

The event was strengthened through the valued partnership and contributions of Dr Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, who has played a pivotal role in advancing UWI–UNESCO engagement. Her leadership has supported several collaborative initiatives, including Walking in Her Footsteps, Women in Science Emergencies (WISE), and the  Jamaica Science Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (J-SISD)  programmes, all of which align with UNESCO’s mandate to promote inclusive knowledge societies, gender equality, and sustainable research and development.

A key highlight of the engagement was the meaningful interaction between participants in the Women in Science Emergencies (WISE) programme and the Director-General. WISE, supported by UNESCO, is designed to strengthen the capacity and research of women scientists in STEM post-Hurricane Melissa. This exchange demonstrates the shared commitment to advancing gender-responsive scientific leadership and fostering equitable participation in science.

The visit also culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent between The UWI and UNESCO, reaffirming a mutual commitment to deepening institutional cooperation and expanding strategic partnerships in keeping with global priorities for both institutions.