SUNY supports University of the West Indies SDG initiative

SUNY supports University of the West Indies SDG initiative

University of the West Indies Jamaica Regional Headquarters. May 29, 2024 – “Our two universities are strategically repositioning to further mobilise for the SDGs. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of both institutions, this partnership aims to be a catalyst to move towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.” Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, President of the University of the West Indies (UWI), commented on the new phase of the partnership between the University of the West Indies and the State University of New York (SUNY) system of public colleges and universities.

The two universities have deepened their alliance by signing a new agreement to offer qualifications in leadership related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the University of the West Indies and the University at Buffalo (UB), the two universities will launch a new graduate degree program in sustainable development leadership.

This transformative project will be delivered through the University of the West Indies’ upcoming International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) The Center for Leadership and Sustainability (CLSD) is designed to shape the future of leadership for sustainability. This collaboration follows the strategic decision by current SUNY President John B. King, Jr. to establish CLSD within SUNY Buffalo and appoint its Distinguished Professor in Residence Gene D. Morse as the new Executive Director.

On May 20, UWI President Professor Hilary Beckles, University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi, Jamaican Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Audrey Marks, and UWI Mona Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Densil A. Williams attended a signing ceremony for the MOU in Buffalo, New York, to celebrate the strengthening of the partnership.

Focused on the Caribbean, this timely MoU outlines a strategic framework for joint sustainable development initiatives that build on the legacy of collaboration between UWI and CLSD. Established in 2016, the Centre already has a successful UWI-SUNY Joint Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership. It will now offer another option for leadership for the SDGs through the newly established ISDJ at UWI. ISDJ’s global agenda aims to provide comprehensive education and training specifically in support of the SDGs, specifically empowering future leaders to advance social justice, gender equality and economic development in the Caribbean and around the world.

“The UWI Institute for International Justice in Development will continue to work towards the 2030 goals, supported by joint programs such as the UWI-UB CLSD postgraduate program in sustainable development,” said Vice-Chancellor Beckles.

The new Master’s programme resulting from the MoU is one of the first to be launched by ISDJ in September 2024.

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Strengthening partnerships: Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, President of the University of the West Indies, and Satish K. Tripathi, President of the University at Buffalo, sign a memorandum of understanding between the University of the West Indies and the University at Buffalo on May 20, 2024. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

(Left) University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi, University of the West Indies President Professor Hilary Beckles, Jamaican Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Audrey Marks, and University of the West Indies Mona Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Densil A. Williams. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

A group of dignitaries from Jamaica and Buffalo gathered to celebrate the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the University of the West Indies and the University at Buffalo on May 20, 2024. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

About the University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies has been a key force in all aspects of development in the Caribbean and has been at the heart of all efforts to improve the well-being of the people of the region for 75 years.

UWI began as University College London in Jamaica in 1948 with 33 medical students. Today, UWI is a global university of international renown with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona from Jamaica, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Mountain in Barbados, The five islands of Antigua and Barbuda and Global Campusand A global center established in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

The University of the West Indies offers more than 1000 Certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options exist Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it has access to the largest pool of BroadCast Unitedlectual and professional knowledge in the Caribbean, working to address critical issues in our region and the wider world.

The University of the West Indies is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the world by the most reputable ranking agencies. Times Higher Education (THE). Since UWI first appeared in the Times Higher Education rankings in 2018, it has performed well across a number of categories, including the World University Rankings, the Golden Age University Rankings (50 to 80 years old), the Latin America Rankings and the Impact Rankings, which are noted for their response to the world’s greatest concerns, as outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and well-being, gender equality and climate action.

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