Established in 1963 with funding from the Ford Foundation, the Institute of Education replaced the Centre for the Study of Education and was a separate entity from the Department of Education. The Institute’s goal was to promote excellence in teacher training throughout the region and to undertake indigenous research. It was separately funded by the contributing territories, and enjoyed a close and special relationship with the governments through:

• Ministries of education;
• The Institute Advisory Council (established under University Ordinance 14 (3);
• The Institute Board of Teacher Training, established in 1965 under Ordinance 14 (4), which was later replaced by the Joint Board of Teacher Education.