SUNY Backs UWI on SDG Initiative

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Wednesday, May 29, 2024 — “Our two universities are strategically repositioning to advance further mobilization around the SDGs. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of both institutions, this partnership aims to serve as a catalyst that will drive progress towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.” Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Professor Sir Hilary Beckles commented on a new phase of partnership between The UWI and the State University of New York System of Public Colleges and Universities (SUNY).

The two universities have deepened their alliance with a new agreement aimed at providing qualifications for leadership related to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The UWI and SUNY's University of Buffalo (UB), the two universities are set to introduce a new graduate degree programme in Leadership for Sustainable Development.

This transformative programme, to be offered through The UWI's soon-to-be-launched International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) and the Centre for Leadership and Sustainable Development (CLSD), aims to shape the future of sustainable development leadership. The collaboration follows a strategic decision by the current Chancellor of SUNY, John B. King, Jr., to domesticate the CLSD within the UB and to appoint its resident Distinguished Professor Gene D. Morse as the new Executive Director.

Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, President of UB, Satish K. Tripathi, Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Audrey Marks, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI Mona Campus, Professor Densil A. Williams participated in the MOU signing ceremony on May 20, in Buffalo, NY, commemorating the strengthened partnership.

With a focus on the Caribbean region, the timely MOU outlines a strategic framework for joint sustainable development initiatives based on the legacy of collaboration between The UWI and the CLSD. Established in 2016, the Centre already has a successful UWI-SUNY joint Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership for Sustainable Development. It will now offer another option for leadership in the SDGs through The UWI's new ISDJ. The ISDJ's global agenda seeks to offer comprehensive education and training exclusively supporting the SDGs, specifically empowering future leaders to drive social justice, gender equality, and economic development in the Caribbean and worldwide.
Vice-Chancellor Beckles noted, "The UWI International School for Development Justice is continuing to work toward the 2030 goals, buoyed by joint offerings like the graduate programme in sustainable development by the UWI-UB CLSD."

The new master's programme, emerging from this MOU, is among The UWI ISDJ's initial offerings for its upcoming September 2024 launch.

Strengthened partnership: Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and President of UB, Satish K. Tripathi sign the memorandum of understanding between The UWI and UB on May 20, 2024. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

(L-R) President of UB, Satish K. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Audrey Marks, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI Mona Campus, Professor Densil A. Williams. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

A slate of dignitaries from Jamaica and Buffalo gathered on May 20, 2024 to celebrate the signing of the memorandum of understanding between The UWI and UB. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

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 center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 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 nearly 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 Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 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 the wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the 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 Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu.