UWI focuses on global market post-covid19

UWI Vice-Chancellor Prof Sir Hilary Beckles says after months of transitioning to fully operational remote learning, the time is right to return to repositioning the university to be globally competitive.

In a release issued on Monday, Beckles said the post-covid19 university would embrace the “communications and production technology” to enhance its financial sustainability as it moved to 2025-2030.

“Only a re-engineered UWI will be able to deliver even more effectively on the region’s development agenda.”

In November, Beckles addressed his colleagues at a strategic planning retreat and outlined the very significant steps which have already been taken as the university prepares for global competition.

The statement said significant budget cuts for the 2020-2021 academic year were among the measures taken and more cuts were expected in 2021-2022.

It said the university has also been fostering relationships with international donors to facilitate research and advocacy around the development of the region.

It has also built relationships with multilateral organisations to engage the region in urgent issues such as climate change, digital transformation, food severity, and tourism enhancement.

Beckles highlighted the university’s involvement in the economic transformation of Guyana and Suriname.

He also mentioned a letter written by president-elect of the US Joe Biden which indicated his respect for the work and reputation of the university.

“The university has effectively built and internationalised its identity as a global leader and the time is ripe to convert its reputation into revenue.”

The release said  UWI was also planning to further develop its Open Campus.

“The evolving UWI Global Online is expected to go live before the university approaches its 75th anniversary in 2023.”