In a significant step forward for educational collaboration, The University of the West Indies has forged a new partnership with the State University of New York System of Public Colleges and Universities (SUNY). This alliance was solidified by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in May 2024, marking the introduction of a ground-breaking graduate degree programme in Leadership for Sustainable Development.

This innovative initiative is designed to equip future leaders with the skills and qualifications to address the pressing challenges outlined by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The historic signing ceremony took place at SUNY’s University of Buffalo (UB), with key figures in attendance, including The UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, UB President Satish K. Tripathi, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States H. E. Audrey Marks, and Professor Densil A. Williams, the UWI Mona Campus Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

The programme is envisioned to transform leaders into those knowledgeable in sustainable development and committed to making meaningful changes in their communities and beyond. It will be offered through the newly launched International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) and the Centre for Leadership and Sustainable Development (CLSD), which is led by Professor Gene D. Morse, the newly appointed executive director of CLSD.

Building on the success of the existing UWI-SUNY joint Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership for Sustainable Development, this new degree aims to enhance the agenda of the ISDJ. The programme specifically focuses on delivering comprehensive education and training supporting the SDGs.

Building on the success of the existing UWI-SUNY joint Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership for Sustainable Development, this new degree aims to enhance the agenda of the ISDJ. The programme specifically focuses on delivering comprehensive education and training supporting the SDGs. Concentrating on empowering future leaders, it will advocate for critical issues such as social justice, gender equality, and economic development, particularly within the Caribbean context, but with implications for the global stage.

As the world grapples with complex environmental, social, and economic challenges, this initiative promises to cultivate a new generation of leaders prepared to take on these critical issues, ensuring that sustainable development remains a priority for years to come. Through this partnership, The UWI and SUNY are setting a precedent for higher education’s role in fostering social responsibility and effective leadership in sustainable development efforts across the globe.