The UWI Global Campus, Barbados. Thursday, August 20, 2026— The University if the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus recently concluded its 47th Annual CXC/CSEC Summer School Programme with a Closing and Prize-Giving Ceremony held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Parkinson Memorial Secondary School Hall. The ceremony brought together students, parents and guardians, tutors, corporate sponsors, principals and members of The UWI Global Campus, Barbados team to celebrate the achievements of students following five weeks of academic instruction, personal development and enrichment activities.
Held under the theme, “Decide, Commit, Succeed…Achieve Your Academic and Personal Goals,” the programme welcomed approximately 80 students from public and private secondary schools across Barbados, as well as one participant from Guyana. Students selected from among 11 CXC/CSEC subject areas and participated in a range of workshops and extracurricular activities designed to complement their academic preparation and support their personal development.
The featured speaker at the Closing Ceremony, Kali Grant, Project Manager and Development Professional, shared her personal journey with students and encouraged them to remain resilient when life does not unfold according to plan. Drawing on her own experiences, Grant reminded students of the importance of being willing to pivot, adapt and continue moving forward when circumstances change.
The success of the 2026 programme was also supported by the generous contributions of corporate partners - longstanding sponsors and new sponsors - who recognise the value of investing in education and youth development. These sponsors span the financial, energy, retail, food manufacturing and services sectors, as well as private entrepreneurs, staff and citizens. They provided prizes and awards recognising outstanding student performance across the CXC/CSEC subject areas, as well as schools demonstrating strong participation in the programme. Their contributions were recognised as an important demonstration of the private sector’s commitment to supporting education, youth development and the continued growth of the programme.
Leading school participation in 2026 was The Combermere School, which secured the top spot, followed by The St. Michael School and The Barbados Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary School in second and third place, respectively.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Ryan H. Byer, Head, Global Campus Sites, Barbados highlighted the growing partnership between The UWI Global Campus and the private and cooperative sectors. He noted that these partnerships are strengthened by shared organisational missions and a common commitment to supporting education and youth development. Mr. Byer also urged the principals and senior management of the schools that were awarded prizes to recognise the significant responsibility which has been placed on them to safeguard the valuable prizes and ensure that they are used “to contribute to the school environment, whether in the delivery of classes or to the comfort of teachers.” He also invited schools and sponsors to continue partnering with the programme in meaningful ways in the years ahead.
The 2026 programme also introduced an opportunity for former participants to return as student interns and gain valuable exposure to the working environment while giving back to the programme. The UWI Global Campus extends its appreciation to the students, parents and guardians, tutors, principals, sponsors, facilitators and staff members whose contributions helped make the programme a success.
. Kali Grant, Project Manager and Development Professional, delivering an inspirational featured address to students
Students, Parents, Guardians, Tutors, Sponsors, Principals and UWI GC Staff at the CXC Summer School Closing Ceremony
Student intern Mr. Ethan Padmore (second right) presents The Barbados Seventh-day Adventist Secondary School, Principal Mr. Winslow Benn and students with the prize for the secondary school with the third-highest participation, sponsored by Kooyman Barbados.
Mrs. Althea Wood, Deputy Principal of The St. Michael School, and students receive the prize, sponsored by Kooyman Barbados, for the secondary school with the second-highest participation.
Deputy Principal Timothy Barrett (second right) and students from The Combermere School receive the prize for the secondary school with the highest participation from corporate sponsor representative Ms. Shontell Brooks (centre), Community Relations Coordinator, Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union.
Registration for the 2027 CXC/CSEC Summer School Programme will open in May 2027.
For more information, visit www.global.uwi.edu/barbados, email barbados@open.uwi.edu, or call 430-1120.
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.
