The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Site Hosts Planting Ceremony as one of the 75th Anniversary Events

The Diamond Jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives planned to reflect memories of the past, confront the present, and articulate strategies for the future of the regional University.

One of these activities, focused on the ROOTED aspect of the theme, was a planting ceremony on Friday 5th May, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Site. Attendees witnessed the planting of some of Saint Lucia’s national symbols including the national flowers (la rose and la marguerite) and plant (bamboo). The audience included Mr Matthew Roberts, Former Resident Tutor (Distance Education Center), Dame Pealette Louisy – Governor General Emerita of Saint Lucia (Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) and Pelican Awardee), representatives of The UWI Alumni Association St Lucia Chapter, The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Student Guild Executive, UWISTAT Ambassador, invigilators, tutors, National Youth Council and its International Affairs Sub-committee and other specially invited guests.

Attendees shared details about their affiliation with the university on a professional, voluntary and academic level. Various groups assisted by planting the flowers and plant on the grounds of The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia Site.

Dr Clarence Henry, President (UWIAA Saint Lucia Chapter) provides remarks on the continued relevance of The UWI to our Caribbean region and beyond.

UWISTAT Ambassador and BSc International Management student, Ariel Albert gives remarks to the audience on how the University's rise is still deeply connected to its roots.

Siguthani Bryan - Ag Outreach and Marketing Officer welcomes the audience to the Planting Ceremony

The UWI Alumni Association Saint Lucia Chapter Executive Members Attend the Planting Ceremony

National Youth Council - International Affairs Sub-committee sponsors the planting ceremony

Attendees and Paticipants at the Planting Ceremony - The UWI 75th Anniversary Celebrations

Mr Matthew Roberts, Former Resident Tutor (Distance Education Center), takes charge of the planting Saint Lucia's national plant, the Bamboo

Current Head, Mrs Lesley Crane-Mitchell proudly assist in planting La Marguerite with retiree, Mrs Marlene Francis, while invigilator Ms Anna Weekes bears witness

Ms Amanda Orniville (Treasurer, UWI Alumni Association Saint Lucia Chapter) and Ms Ariel Albert (UWISTAT Ambassador) take the rose plant to the soil.

Dame Pearlette Louisy plants the rose in anticipation of its beauty in time to come.

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 for the past 75 years.

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.

2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu.