UWI leaders donate to students from salaries

Executive managers at UWI campuses across the Caribbean have given a percentage of their salary towards a fund for students.

The senior executive leadership, which includes the vice-chancellor, campus principals, pro vice-chancellors, university bursar and university registrar ,will contribute to a student hardship fund for the next three months.

In a media release UWI said the aim of the fund is to promote equity of access for all students as well as providing much-needed additional counselling services.

It did not say what percentage will be donated is or its equivalent in monetary value.

It added that it has recognised the challenges faced by almost 10,000 of its 50,000-student population to participate equally and equitably in this moment of digital intensification.

The spread of covid19 across the region, it said, has pushed UWI’s five campuses to step up in developing remedial projects to confront to restore the level playing field provided by the physical classroom culture.

Vice-Chancellor ProfSir Hilary Beckles said, “The initiative is another part of the UWI CARES project, designed to empower any excluded element of the student body, and support them in their quest to succeed.”

UWI’s alumni have been also called upon to participate in fundraising, and philanthropists have donated hundreds of tablets.

The institue's physical classroom teachings have been closed due to the spread of covid19 across the region. Students, lecturers and staff have been operating virtually to meet the requirements of its teaching policies. Student final exams have also been modified and will also be held online.