The UWI launches new Global Online Graduate Business School
23 August 2024
Minister of Education of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Hon. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles were among officials attending the launch of the ISDJ
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has introduced a new inter-campus initiative, a global online graduate business school, geared towards exporting Caribbean knowledge to the world.
The International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), which was launched on August 21, 2024, is administered by The UWI Global Campus, and offers programmes focusing on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“All of our CARICOM countries have committed to the implementation of these goals as a development paradigm, but it was not always clear that we had the capacity to implement these goals,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said.
He added that this is the first project in the history of the university that will be managed by all of the campuses.
“All of the five campuses have come together to own and to manage this project. We have been talking about the ‘one UWI’ for many, many decades, now we have the one UWI in action.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Education, Dr Hon. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, had high praise for the regional institution on this latest initiative.
“To see The UWI moving purposefully into the global online education market is a proud experience, as it places the Caribbean into a space dominated by non-Caribbean players. It is bold frontal action which signals our intention to sit at all tables in all sectors,” Gadsby-Dolly said.
Principal of The UWI Global Campus, Dr Francis Severin, hailed the launch of the ISDJ as a step in the right direction.
“Today’s launching of the ISDJ is a significant turning point in our university’s development and history, solidifying and further institutionalizing our activist role in the very important matter of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
For project coordinator, Professor Justin Robinson, the new school is one of the latest examples of Caribbean ambition and exceptionalism.
“We are confident that we can do this, because in the Caribbean we’re accustomed to playing on the global stage,” the Principal of the Five Islands Campus said.
The ISDJ is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and endorsed by the United Nations.
Lead Investment Officer at IDB Invest, Elizabeth Robberechts noted that education is the cornerstone of sustainable development.
“Through the ISDJ we are not only empowering future leaders to understand the complexities of development, but also equipping them with the tools to create solutions that are just, inclusive and impactful,” Robberechts stated.
The UWI has partnered with several international institutions of higher learning in the execution of the project, including the United Nations University; State University of New York; Sustainable Development Solutions Network; University of Johannesburg; and University of Glasgow.
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