The Alumni Relations Office is ultimately responsible for the expansive work involved in managing the relationship with graduates to ensure that they remain invested in the University's mission and success long after they leave the Global Campus thus creating a cycle of constant support and opportunities. This relationship building starts from their recruitment of students.
The Alumni Office serves, therefore, as
- an integral part of The University of the West Indies;
- international ambassadors – drawn from across the globe; and
- invaluable word-of-mouth marketers.
All of the above is underpinned by underscoring the importance of student experience. The Alumni Office integrates current students into the alumni community, showing them the long-term value and benefits of staying connected.
Alumni Outreach Programme
The programme, offered currently only in Barbados, has proven itself to be invaluable, not only to students as it positively transforms their lives, but also to organisations that have provided internship opportunities for the graduates. The programme has been cited as the bridge needed to prepare the nation’s students for the work environment, giving them a competitive advantage.
The Alumni Outreach PTFTC-TCL programme serves as a recruitment drive initiative as it provides the inspiration for students to pursue The University of the West Indies’ Bachelor’s degree.
Campus Graduation Involvement
Graduates are eager and excited and the transition is seamless, encouraging a shift in identity from a current student to a proud alumnus/alumna. At Graduation, the newest alumni are given memorabilia including The UWI’s pin and tie and are highlighted in the various forms of media. Graduation therefore serves as an opportunity for engagement that benefits current students, recent graduates, and the university.
Alumni Engagement
The Alumni Relations Office fosters lifelong connections between The University of the West Indies and its graduates, serving as a liaison to keep alumni engaged through:
- events (Meet & Greet, Observing of UWI Day, Chapter meetings, Concerts, Breakfast meeting, Dinners, Pelican Award Ceremonies);
- communication (newsletters, webinars, Pelican Perks);
- networking (Soft and Life Skills Series, Reunions designed to connect graduates with each other and with current students);
- career support (Mentorship and the Alumni Outreach Programme); and
- philanthropy (Endowment Fund to meet the needs of talented, yet financially challenged students).
Pelican Award
Alumni Fundraising
The UWI, like the entire world, has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic and other natural catastrophic disasters. These unfortunate occurrences have had a tremendous financial impact on students who were struggling to survive even prior to these cataclysmic events. Many of their single parents have lost their jobs or have been temporarily laid off and they are straining to find funds for tuition fees, resources necessary for online learning and even the basic necessities for day-to-day survival.
In 2022, The UWI Open, now Global Campus Endowment Fund was established to assist in raising funds for academically outstanding students who are in dire financial need. Fundraising, including galas and campaigns, is, a critical activity of the Alumni Office, as it seeks to acquire essential resources for scholarships, research, and campus improvements for students.
Foot-Prints Day
Alumni Team
Database
A robust, constantly updated database serves as a detailed, comprehensive repository of alumni information. Using the CIVI/CRM software, the Alumni Office has access to all the necessary details needed to leverage its alumni as it provides insight into the diverse alumni diaspora across various industries and professions.
Maintaining the database is essential as it
- is a catalyst for building long-lasting connections;
- helps in identifying the right mentors for students;
- helps in strategizing when planning memorable events and identifying potential donors; and
- identifies alumni working as top executives in multinational companies
The Alumni Office Team encourages each alumnus/na to give back of their time, talent and treasure for, as Denzil Washington opines, “At the end it’s not about what you have or even what you have accomplished. It is about who you have lifted up, who you have made better. It’s about what you have given back”.
Meet The Team
Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington
Campus Alumni Officer
Mr. Joshua Bishop
Administrative Assistant
Mr. Micheal Chen
Alumni Assistant III
Mrs. Folasade Mayers-Richards
Alumni Assistant II
