University of the West Indies launches new online Global SDG Graduate School

University of the West Indies launches new online Global SDG Graduate School

International School for Development Justice to be launched on August 21

University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, Wisconsin, Monday, August 19, 2024 —After nearly two years of operational procedures and negotiations, the University of the West Indies (UWI) is set to launch its first global online postgraduate business school focused on leadership in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The launch will take place at 10:00am Eastern Caribbean Time on Wednesday, August 21, as a hybrid ceremony at the UWI Global Campus headquarters in Barbados.

The new University of the West Indies, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and endorsed by the United Nations (UN), International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) It was established to respond to the need to educate and empower existing and future activists and leaders within the framework of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles described the Institute as “the largest and most transformative global project” undertaken by a university in the region. He noted: “We have the strong support of the United Nations and its many associated parts, including the United Nations University, headquartered in Tokyo. Our financial partner, the Inter-American Development Bank, has also been particularly supportive. Many other universities, such as the State University of New York, the University of Glasgow, the University of Johannesburg, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, based at Columbia University and led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, are our allies.”

UWI is currently the only university with such an undertaking. The idea of ​​establishing a SDG Global Online Business School stems from UWI’s two decades of experience and excellence in online education through its global campuses, its strategic focus on the SDGs and its global recognition as a leading knowledge producer for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Notably, in the recently released Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, UWI received a perfect score of 100% in supporting the achievement of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

ISDJ is currently accepting applications for January 2025 entry, offering master’s degrees in Climate Studies, Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Public Health and Informatics, Sustainability and Data Analytics, and Sustainability Management. As part of the introductory course, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, UN consultant and global leader in sustainable development, will lead a masterclass on the Sustainable Development Goals. ISDJ has named Sachs one of its Honorary Distinguished Fellows from around the world who will contribute to the academic and teaching efforts of the academy.

Starting in January 2025, the full suite of courses will include a dozen stepped asynchronous online graduate programs, ranging from one-year master’s degrees to short-term micro-credentials at certificate and diploma levels.

The launch event on 21 August will include remarks by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, other members of the UWI leadership team, ISDJ partners and the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, MP, QC, Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados. The Honourable Dr. Niamh Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Education of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will deliver the keynote address. The event is scheduled to be live streamed via UWItv’s online platform, www.uwitv.global, www.facebook.com/UWItv and Cable TV Channels Streaming.

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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 its 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 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.

Learn more www.uwi.edu