Principal's Message
The Path of an Expansive and Diverse Global Focus
Over the past year, The University
of the West Indies (UWI) has undertaken an impressive
infrastructural revolution that has been primarily geared
at expanding and enhancing our teaching, learning and
research focus.
Our mandate of becoming the premier higher education
institution in the Caribbean has forced us to establish
new and critical connections with partners from across the
globe, whilst it also acted as a catalyst for the
rebranding and redevelopment of some of our most well
renowned institutions and schools.
We have engaged in significant and new research that will
not only aid in placing our research community on the
international map, but will also prove to become integral
knowledge contributions to our nation’s ongoing quest
towards growth and development - ultimately meeting our
targets for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Collectively, the achievements of The UWI over the past
year reaffirm that we will continue to be a higher
learning institution that evolves; that is dedicated to
providing the highest quality education to our students;
committed to improving our society; and one which will
remain determined to establishing our permanent mark on
knowledge acquisition and research for our very deserving
Caribbean community.
One of the most prominent changes we have undertaken
recently has been the rebranding of the Science Library
and the re-designation of the Caribbean School of Media
and Communication (CARIMAC).
The UWI has also initiated a new partnership with South
Africa’s University of Johannesburg that will establish a
new Institute for Global Africa Affairs; and in
collaboration with the University of Lagos we will be
establishing the Institute of African and Diaspora
Studies.
These initiatives indicate the expanding and evolving
nature of our programming, the international focus of our
institutions, and illustrate the dynamic research
currently being undertaken at the Mona Campus.
It is our belief that by highlighting a more regional, and
indeed global, focus in our programming and research
initiatives we will be able to drive greater interest from
students from across the Caribbean and internationally to
consider The UWI as their future in education. These
changes illustrate that The UWI is indeed an institution
with an expansive and diverse global focus.
In addition to including a more diverse selection of new
academic programmes for the 2017-2018 academic year we
have also engaged in some very integral research projects
that are aimed at improving the welfare and way of life
for the Jamaican society.
These research projects have also provided our students
with the opportunities to engage in unique and innovative
research endeavours. The Parrotfish research project that
is being undertaken by the Discovery Bay Marine Lab, in
collaboration with Sandals Resort, is just one of the many
research projects being carried out by our exceptional
teams of researchers that will play an integral role in
solving some of Jamaica’s most problematic development
issues.
These initiatives highlight our commitment to improving
and developing our nation – making a better place for
future generations.
As Principal, I am also pleased to recognise the
outstanding achievements of our academic staff,
particularly those who have received new appointments. The
UWI is also pleased to celebrate the achievements of many
of our exceptional students who were awarded for their
hard work over the past year.
The UWI is also honoured to officially induct Jamaica’s
Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Andrew Holness, into
our Prime Ministers Park, which will now act as a symbolic
reminder to our students of what hard work and true
dedication can yield for them.
The past year, and our upcoming 2017-2018 academic year,
will illustrate to the wider community, and indeed our
colleagues in the higher learning community across the
globe that The UWI, Mona Campus, is continuing to embark
on a steady and certain path to greatness and growth.
We have indeed been able to redesign this institution into
one of academic and research excellence and with our
continued commitment to our students and creating
innovative research we will continue to represent the
crème de la crème of tertiary education.
Professor Archibald McDonald
Pro-Vice Chancellor & Principal
UWI, Mona Campus
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