Vice-Chancellor’s Report
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING STAFF
The UWI celebrated some outstanding staff members for their professional achievements and contributions towards the University’s high performance, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. Considered one of the annual highlights of The UWI calendar, the prestigious ceremony was presided over by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who presented academic, senior administrative, and professional staff with awards for excellence in teaching, research, service to the university community, and public service, or a combination of areas. “The concept of excellence is not a simple one. It is not simply about achievement”, said Vice-Chancellor Beckles during his remarks. “It is about the location of that achievement within the context of the evolution of a civilisation and the move towards sustaining it.” He defined that the measure of an excellent university is one that is committed to all of the big conversations and challenges, and all the major shortfalls that need to be remedied in a society. He stated, “And therefore when we celebrate the excellence of our colleagues, we are celebrating them within the context of all of these discourses and their special effort and commitment towards achieving all of these objectives.” Addressing the awardees directly, Vice-Chancellor Beckles said, “I wish to thank you for all that you’ve done, not only for yourselves but for us as a University.”
In a response on behalf of the awardees, Professor Justin Robinson, who was recognised for excellence in Public Service and Service to University, also expressed a message of gratitude. He stated, “I want to thank the leadership for continuing to seek to be such a high-quality university. I also want to commend Caribbean governments and our various stakeholders for continuing to provide the support for excellence at The UWI. A University of the type that is The UWI is not a cheap endeavour and I really want to encourage Caribbean governments and our stakeholders to continue to provide the support that The UWI needs if it is to be excellent.” “The concept of excellence is not a simple one. It is not simply about achievement. It is about the location of that achievement within the context of the evolution of a civilisation and the move towards sustaining it.”
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies
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