The University of the West Indies

The month of February has attracted many designations, Black History Month not the least. So perhaps it’s appropriate that this is the month when the University of the West Indies (UWI), whose motto proclaims it ‘A Light Rising in the West’, commemorates its existence. The university opened its doors to students from across the Caribbean region, in 1948.
UWI Commemoration Day has been February 16 since the then University College installed its first Chancellor on that day in 1950. Recently, the celebration has grown to a Homecoming Week, this year celebrated early February.

Traditionally, Carnival is the last burst of celebration before Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent; a timeframe that shifts according to the Christian calendar but generally falls in early February – this year Ash Wednesday is February 10.