In an effort to accelerate its drive for self-sufficiency, the University of the West Indies has launched a global initiative, Global Giving Week (August 1-7, 2016) under the theme, Emancipate, Educate, Donate.
Initially launched at Mona, Jamaica on Friday, April 8, 2016 similar launches were held at St. Augustine, Trinidad and Cave Hill, Barbados. Given the wide reach of The UWI Open Campus launches were held in Belize on June 30, 2016 Saint Lucia on July 8 and Antigua and Barbuda on July 12, 2016.
Attending a most prestigious ceremony on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, The Bahamas were Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor of the UWI, Professor Julie Meeks- Gardiner, Deputy Principal, UWI Open Campus and Ms. Minna Israel, Special Advisor to the Vice Chancellor on Resource Development.
An impassioned message by virtual format was delivered by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, and it was evident that this mode of delivery did not diminish his powerful message to “give generously to our scholarship and Endowment Funds for students in need of assistance…so as to strengthen and expand the emancipation mission we all imagine for our youth”.
Following the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julie Meeks-Gardner delivered remarks on behalf of Dr. Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, who was unable to attend. She noted that “we in the Open Campus understand that it is more important to win a person's heart, rather than merely asking for stone-cold financial support. We friend-raise and fund-raise. We prefer to share and give back with love, warmth, hugs, smiles and goodwill. Giving back through the love of our shared historical institution and our linked experiences.” She expressed the hope that the alumni “will be persuaded to contribute well and contribute often”.
Professor Julie Meeks-Gardner also read the message from the Bahamas County Head, Dr. Barbara Rodgers-Newbold who was also unable to attend. Remarks offered by Mr. Ellsworth Johnson, President, Bahamas Bar Association and Dr. Locksley Munroe from UWI Medical Alumni Association underscored the role and importance of The UWI in the Bahamas and the region.
Following a musical interlude by Mr. Antoine Cunningham, Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor, delivered the key note address. He recalled that “when the University of the West Indies first saw the light as a University College 68 years ago, it was embraced proudly by the Caribbean governments which elected to finance it from the public purse”. He further opined that “this was a deliberate gesture which indicated that an institution which was conceptualized as critical for the development of a West Indian polity and the West Indian ideal, should not be left to the vagaries and uncertainties of mixed financing”.
The Chancellor outlined five reasons why alumni should give back to their alma mater, namely, self-interest, reputation, purely philanthropic, collateral impact and gratitude. In making a passionate appeal to alumni, well-wishers and others to give generously, referred to a saying of doubtful origin, “Blessed is he who gives without remembering and he who receives without forgetting”. He then plagiarize and changed not only the gender to say; “Blessed are they who remember to give, as there will be many who will never forget their gift”.
H.E. Dr. A. Missouri Sherman-Peter accompanied by Ms. Noelle Nicholls, UWI Alumna jointly delivered the call for donations and pledges to the Global Giving Fund. This was followed by a call to the membership of UWI Alumni Association by Dr. Mortimer Moxey, Acting President, UWIAA, The Bahamas Chapter.
The evening closed with the distribution of pledge cards and many commitments were made.
