At a recent meeting of the University Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GP), the Committee approved the re-designation of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CGDS) as an Institute of the University of the West Indies. Henceforth it will therefore be known as The Institute for Gender and Development Studies.

This re-designation of the CGDS is an important milestone and marks another stage in the evolution of Gender and Development Studies in the academy. The Centre was originally established in September 1993 as an inter-disciplinary teaching, research and outreach entity outside of the conventional Faculty structure of the UWI in order to maintain its interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary focus. The new Institute consists of four units: the Regional Coordinating Unit which reports to the Vice-Chancellor and three campus Units reporting to their respective Campus Principals and to the Vice-Chancellor through the Regional Coordinating Unit.  

From inception the Centre/Institute has made a significant impact on the academic community by establishing programmes at both undergraduate and graduate levels; and, through a range of activities, has established vital linkages with external research institutions, businesses, governments and non-governmental organisations at national, regional and international levels. The Institute of Gender and Development Studies remains committed to expanding its contribution both within and beyond the UWI as it seeks to fulfil its three-pronged mission of teaching, research and outreach.