Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Friday, October 23, 2026—The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus is set to celebrate the achievements of its Class of 2026 in a Virtual Ceremony on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm EC via UWItv.global, UWItv’s Facebook Live, Flow EVO channels, and Flow’s Bluu mobile app.
This year’s graduation theme, “Built to ADAPT. Ready to LEAD,” speaks to the ability of UWI students and graduates to embrace change, navigate emerging technologies and prepare for leadership in an increasingly artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world. It highlights the importance of combining technological proficiency with critical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence to respond effectively to the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving global environment. Beyond adapting to technological advancements, the theme underscores the role graduates can play in driving innovation, making ethical decisions and developing solutions to pressing global challenges.
The 2026 Graduation Ceremony will celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2026, which comprises approximately 1,293 graduands, including 205 postgraduates and 1,088 undergraduates. The graduands have successfully completed programmes leading to Doctoral, Master’s, Bachelor’s and Associate degrees, as well as Certificates and Diplomas across a range of disciplines. One significant highlight of this year’s graduating class is the graduation of the first cohort of students from the Pre-University Polytechnic. The students pursued Associate degrees in Business Management, Paralegal Studies and Social Work under a franchise agreement signed between The UWI Global Campus and the Pre-University Polytechnic in 2024. Graduands from across the Caribbean will join the virtual celebration, with many gathering with family and friends at watch parties to share in the excitement and pride of the occasion as their names are called and their photographs appear on screen.
Heads of State and Government, the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, members of the University’s Executive Management, Senior University and government officials, the Campus’ Senior Management Team, and the families and friends of the graduands will tune in to the virtual ceremony. They will share in celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026 as the graduands are recognised for their accomplishments and awarded their formal academic qualifications, marking the culmination of their dedication, perseverance and hard work.
At this year’s ceremony, the Campus will confer an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree on Mr. Melvin L. Claxton of Antigua and Barbuda for his contributions to journalism. Mr Claxton’s career has demonstrated the power of investigative journalism to hold institutions accountable for what they would prefer to keep hidden. Over the course of 25 years, his work has changed laws, ended careers, and in several cases, saved lives. He remains the only Black journalist ever named in a Pulitzer Prize gold medal citation in the award’s 110-year history.
The Valedictorian for the Class of 2026 is Mr Walson Josiah Pacquette, a graduand of the Bachelor of Science in Sport and Leadership Management with First Class Honours. He is a Physical Education instructor, coach, sports administrator and technical official from Grand Bay, Dominica, who has built a career at the intersection of education and sport, bringing the same discipline, commitment and pursuit of excellence to each of his roles.
As the Class of 2026 prepares to embark on the next chapter of their personal and professional journeys, The UWI Global Campus celebrates their accomplishments and the knowledge, skills and experiences they have gained. Their achievements reflect the value of lifelong learning and the Campus’ continued commitment to providing accessible, quality higher education that empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider Caribbean.
The official Presentation of Graduates Ceremony will close with the new graduates repeating The UWI Alumni Pledge and a musical rendition of the University song, “There is a Light”.
About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.
Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts 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, along with international centres in partnership with universities across 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 leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.
Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISD), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.
The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.
