University of the West Indies launches 2024 disaster recovery support team

University of the West Indies launches 2024 disaster recovery support team

University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, WI Wednesday, July 10, 2024 —The University of the West Indies (UWI) has established a 2024 Disaster Recovery Support Team to assist the region in its recovery efforts following Cyclone Beryl. UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles has contacted the governments of the countries affected by the storm to pledge support to universities in the region. This commitment comes at an opportune time as the 2024 cyclone season has just begun and is expected to be very active.

“The fact that Hurricane Beryl struck so fiercely so early in the hurricane season is a wake-up call for us to realize the enormous losses caused by these storms, as well as the severe disruption and economic and psychological impact on citizens due to the loss of loved ones and property,” said Chancellor Beckles, adding that “it is our duty to serve the Caribbean Community in its hour of need.”

Led by Dr. Francis Severin, Vice-President and Head of Global Campus, UWI will work closely with governments to identify their needs in order to mobilize resources across the UWI system. The support team will also work with CDEMA to identify other areas where UWI can assist Caribbean countries in the aftermath of disasters. This initiative reflects the assistance UWI has provided to governments in the region following natural disasters over the past few years.

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illustrate: Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after Hurricane Beryl. Image credit: (c) IOM 2024/ J Crichlow-Augustine

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 intellectual and professional knowledge in the Caribbean, working to address critical issues in our region and around the 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 notable 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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