The Women and Development Unit. Thursday, March 26, 2026—The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus, Women and Development (WAND) Unit successfully delivered the first cohort of ‘We do Cars’ on February 28, 2026. This pioneering automotive maintenance workshop was designed specifically to empower and support female drivers.
The initiative represents a collaborative partnership between The UWI Global Campus WAND Unit and Sergios Auto in Barbados, with sponsorship provided by Automative Art and Design Central Studios. It marks a progressive step in automotive education by creating a structured, accessible learning environment where women can gain practical knowledge and confidence in managing the maintenance of their vehicles.
The five-week workshop addresses a long-standing gap by equipping women with the essential knowledge about their vehicles and the servicing process. Industry research indicates that a significant percentage of women feel uncomfortable in traditional repair environments due to complex technical jargons or concerns about being overcharged. The ‘We do Cars’ Workshop responds to this challenge by combining expert mechanical instruction with a supportive "female-friendly" atmosphere.
"Our goal was to create a space where women feel comfortable to learn about their cars and ask questions that they may not otherwise feel confident to ask. With the first workshop now complete, and new registrations already being received for the next cohort, we are proving that women do cars," said Colleen Robinson-Hunte, WAND Programme Officer.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Francis O. Severin, is impressed with this initiative: “The timing is opportune given the fact that we are celebrating International Women’s Month. Once again, our Global Campus has demonstrated its capacity to identify the real needs, hopes and aspirations of people and respond appropriately to them. If ever there was an example of practical and hands-on women empowerment, the ‘We do Cars’ project has to be it. When we give our women another reason to be confident and self-assured, the multiplier effect on our cities, towns, villages and hamlets is ‘audible’ The boon of this project goes way beyond the participants themselves – their immediate and extended families benefit”.
If you are interested in the next workshop, please contact The WAND Unit (246) 243 2163 or email wand@open.uwi.edu.
Participants from the Workshop holding their certificates: Left to right - Juilet Holmes; Leah Spooner; Treisha Layne; Katrina Alleyne, and Shekinah Tappin with Colleen Robinson-Hunte, WAND Programme Officer, (3rd left) and Daveny Braithwaite, Facilitator (4th from left).
Class in progress with Facilitator, Daveny Braithwaite
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.
