The UWI Open Campus Anguilla Continues its Collaboration With The Department of Social Development

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Open Campus Anguilla is continuing its support of the Department of Social Development. As part of the March activities in celebration of International Women’s Day and Social Work Month 2022, for the second consecutive year, The UWI Open Campus Anguilla partnered with the Anglican Church Women Association (ACWA) to collect funds in support of the Department’s Foster/Alternative Care Programme.

Attendees at the International Women’s Day service on March 8^th contributed EC$2,010.31 towards the fund. The donation was handed over to the Commissioner of Social Development, Ms. Lauraine Gumbs by Manager for The UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks and President of ACWA, Mrs. Celestine John on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

The UWI Open Campus Anguilla also facilitated an awareness-building forum on the Anguilla Child Protection Act on March 17, 2022, at the Auditorium of the Orealia Kelly Primary School. Mrs. Angelina Carty and other members of the Family and Social Services Unit provided a comprehensive overview of the Act and fielded questions from those in attendance, as well as those viewing via live stream.

Expressing her appreciation, Commissioner Lauraine Gumbs said the Department is grateful for the continued collaboration and support being provided by The UWI Open Campus Anguilla. “Section 5 of the Child Protection Act 2019, stipulates that all children are entitled to basic conditions such as food, shelter, clothing, care and protection, education, play and leisure as is necessary for their development. If these conditions cannot be provided in their homes, foster care is then utilised. The purpose of foster care is to provide a planned, temporary alternative placement for children who cannot be cared for in their home setting. Over the years the programme has become increasingly vital and these donations ensure that these needs are met.”

The UWI Open Campus Anguilla is encouraging persons in the community and the diaspora to contribute to the Foster/Alternative Care Programme and other programmes at the Department of Social Development. The Department can be reached by telephone at 264-497-2317.

1. Mrs. Celestine John and Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks handing over Cheque to Commissioner Lauraine Gumbs

2. Attendees at the Child Protection Act Awareness Building Session

3. Representatives from the Social Development Department and The UWI Open Campus at the Child Protection Act Awareness Building Session

About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region.

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). In the latest World University Rankings 2022, released in September 2021, The UWI moved up an impressive 94 places from last year. In the current global field of some 30,000 universities and elite research institutes, The UWI stands among the top 1.5%.

The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean, it is also in the top 20 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old). The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

For more, visit www.uwi.edu.