The University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala is a fundraising event established to raise much needed funds for the University’s Scholarship programme that provides financial assistance to students with dire financial need and who are registered in priority degree programmes that meet the human resource development needs of the region.
Since the passing of the Honourable G. Raymond Chang the Gala’s founding Patron, the University has been exceptionally fortunate to have the continued support of the Chang family through Mrs. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Mr. Andrew Chang and Mrs. Brigette Chang Addorisio as the Patrons. We are delighted to have as our Honorary Patron for 2019 Mr. Wesley Hall, awarded the Vice Chancellor Award in 2016.
This Gala will reach a milestone at the 2019 event, celebrating 10 years of giving back and exceeding all expectations garnering tremendous support from the Canadian private and public sectors, the Caribbean-Canadian and Canadian communities. Over 4,000 guests have attended in nine years, raising more CDN$1.5 million and awarding 500+ scholarships. Over 100 students have since graduated, many of them with first class honours across faculties (Engineering, Business, Social Science, Arts, Science and Technology, and Medicine).
The University also uses the occasion to honour people of Caribbean heritage and Caribbean organizations that have contributed significantly to the development of the region or brought to prominence issues which affect the region. Past honorees include: Mr. Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. the Honourable Harry Belafonte, Scotiabank, Ryerson University, SickKids Foundation, The Most Honourable Michaelle Jean, Mr. Horace “Shaggy” Burrell, Ambassador Susan E. Rice and Masai Ujiri, to name a few.
The benefit of the Gala and its fundraising cause increases exponentially as it changes not only the lives of the students but also the lives of generations to come and by extension the region as a whole.
Donations on this page are processed in US Dollars.
