The UWI secures largest grant ever — US$25 million

THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies has secured an international grant of US$25 million, the largest in its history.

United States’ Silicon Valley digital technology giant, Eon Reality, announced its partnership with The Uiversity of the West Indies-UWI- that will assure the significant investment in Caribbean digital education and professional training, a release from the UWI regional headquarters in Jamaica dated April 6, stated.

The grant will see Eon Reality, the global technology conglomerate, entering the Caribbean market as a post-COVID education development leader.

The project is spearheaded by Dr Luz Longsworth, Principal of The UWI Open Campus and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Affairs. A thought leader and planner in online education, Dr Longsworth is leading the charge to transform the ten-year-old Open Campus into The UWI’s Global Campus. This initiative is a key part of the university’s new finance vision that seeks to “convert its global reputation into sustainable revenue.”

Vice-Chancellor, Professor

Sir Hilary Beckles, who has been addressing this development in recent months, noted that “this is a major and very timely step for the university as it rolls out its ‘finance revolution’ according to our strategic plan”.

He added, “ we are determined to succeed, but success comes with an orderly and systematic approach and effective leadership.

Dr Longsworth is to be commended for her sophisticated negotiation skills and commitment to our strategic vision.”

The Vice-Chancellor further noted “that the university is moving swiftly along its plotted finance trajectory and that there are other such major funding initiatives in the global pipeline. Our development work, and institutional credibility, are now globally known and our allies are keen to offer support.”