New UWI Mona Principal to take office in August

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Friday, June 2, 2023—The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has announced Professor Densil A. Williams as Principal of the Mona Campus effective August 1, 2023. He succeeds Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Dale Webber who resumes teaching and research duties as a Marine Biologist after July 31, 2023.

Speaking on the appointment of the Campus Principal Designate, Dr. D. Maurice Smith University Registrar, The UWI, stated, “at its last meeting on April 26, the University Council deferred its decision to appoint a Principal for the Mona Campus as the Government of Jamaica requested additional time to consult. Having completed this process and consequently advised the Chancellor of the outcome, Council proceeded to appoint Professor Williams on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor in keeping with the University's Statutes and Ordinances.” Dr. Smith continued, “the University community thanks Professor Webber for his stewardship and sterling service and welcomes Professor Williams to his new role as head of the University's largest and oldest campus.”

Professor Williams, whose current post is that of Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI’s Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda, has built a career in business and academia for over 22 years. He has held a remarkable record of public service, research and scholarly work serving on a number of boards of state entities, private sector organisations, committees, as well as regional and international editorial boards.

About the University Council
The University Council is the highest governing body of The UWI with powers as prescribed in the University’s Statute 20. The University Council is constituted by Statute 18, and consequently the decision-making authority on matters such as appointments, the management of the finances, and all business affairs of the University. Its membership comprises the Chancellor (Chair), the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellors and Campus Principals, Chairs of the Campus Councils, the Treasurer, the Chair of the Committee of Deans, the University Registrar, University Bursar, University Librarian, as well as representatives of all categories of staff; representatives of the Guild of Students; representatives of the Academic Board of other campuses; representatives of the Alumni body; representatives of the governments of The UWI’s contributing countries; representatives of Tertiary Level Institutions in the Caribbean; and nominees appointed by the Chancellor from among persons in industry, commerce, the professions, the labour movement, and other non-governmental organisations.

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.