In his first year as host of the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles will present a total of seven awards to academic and senior administrative staff members of The University of the West Indies (The UWI). The ceremony will be held on October 15, at the Cave Hill Campus’ Roy Marshall Teaching Complex.

A University tradition for more than 20 years, the awards recognise and reward outstanding performance in Teaching, Research Accomplishments, Service to University Community, Contributions to Public Service, and All-round Excellence in a combination of two or more of the four core areas. In the 2012 to 2013 academic year, a departmental award was added to recognise quality, service and operational excellence. 

On September 30, 2015, UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and President of Sophia University in Japan, Takashi Hayashita signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing bilateral relationships that will enhance research and education at both institutions, while expanding the spectrum of academic collaboration and cultural awareness between the universities.

The MOU signing at Jamaica House, followed the bilateral meetings held between the heads of government; Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller and Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.