UWI Vice Chancellor commits support for C@ribNET

C@ribNET, the Regional research and education network, is to be the primary platform for the research and education initiatives of the University of the West Indies (UWI). Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of UWI, the largest University in the English-speaking Caribbean, confirmed the commitment and support of the institution for C@ribNET at a recent Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Georgetown, Guyana in early March.

Sir Hilary spoke not only of e-science and the importance of generating and sharing big data with other tertiary institutions and countries of the Region, but he also underscored the need to use the technology available to institutions. C@ribNET, he noted, was an invaluable resource for the Region’s university sector and by leveraging it, the tertiary sector could align itself more strategically to industry and innovation. The Vice Chancellor further emphasised the strategic importance and alignment of higher education and industry, stating that such an alignment, would necessitate stimulating a culture of innovation.

In planning the next steps for the UWI and its relations with other Regional institutions, Sir Hilary announced the convening of a Regional summit for all heads of universities and colleges, facilitated by CARICOM, in order to delineate and confirm the areas for institutional collaboration across the network.

CKLNA has already engaged in initial discussions to address the requirements for ensuring that C@ribNET supports the strategic plans of the UWI, other large tertiary learning and research institutions and CARICOM agencies.

I have a vision for the UWI within a Regional and global space, and a platform specifically designed to encourage and foster greater education and research initiatives can only serve to move the institution and the entire Caribbean in a direction of growth,” said Sir Hilary.

The Vice Chancellor was addressing heads of CARICOM Agencies, Regional and international funders as well as CARICOM Ambassadors, with a focus on the University sector and Sustainable Development in the CARICOM Region. Professor Beckles is a distinguished university administrator, economic historian, and specialist in higher education and development thinking and practice, and an internationally reputed historian. (C@ribNET Press Release)