The regional Alumni Relations programming is based on The UWI’s Triple A Strategic Plan to ensure that alumni are involved with The UWI in many ways.
Access
In 2022–2022, the global alumni population was were engaged primarily through celebrations, events and activities marking the 75th Anniversary of the University. On January 8, 2023 at the Interfaith Service at the UWI Chapel; alumni attended and UWI STAT (Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow) Ambassadors from the Mona and Western Jamaica Campuses ushered and participated in the Candle Lighting Ceremony.
On January 23, extra special 17th Anniversary Celebrations on each campus by the Corps marked The UWI’s 75th year, as well as UWI STAT’s 17th Anniversary, and engaged alumni across the University. The UWIAA Florida Chapter collaborated with the University of Miami’s School of Nursing (which was also celebrating 75 years) and put on a Colloquium: Celebrating 75 years of Excellence, Rooted, Ready and Rising.
The well-attended May 19 event had panels from both institutions and the discussions were well received. As shown in the following photos, the 75th Anniversary Celebrations continued throughout 2023.
Alumni communications tools such as the UWI Connect Alumni Magazine; the monthly online UWI Nexus; the UWI Alumni Online website; as well as social media, especially LinkedIn which reaches over 91,000 alumni; Top Tier Talks, which features alumni voluntarily sharing their professional knowledge and experiences, highlighted H. E. Sir Rodney Williams, focusing on his perspective of The UWI, as Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.
Alumni presented a variety of topics in the monthly Soft and Life Skills Series (SLSS) Webinars, which are viewed globally. The annual SLSS Conference was again successfully executed by the Young Alumni Advocates – Alumni Ambassadors of the regional UWI Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Ambassadorial Corps, who as a cadre of young professionals volunteer to bring increased knowledge to alumni and students. Their topical theme: “Future Proofing your Professional Space via Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence or Online and Freelance Opportunities”, was well received.
To increase interaction, graduates used the online Global UWI Alumni Hub to share stories, greetings and ‘Pelican Pride’ moments, and the Global UWI Alumni Day: June 26, 2023 focused on UWI’s 75-year-long impactful journey. This special Day also celebrated UWI graduates who, through their professional accomplishments, contribute to the Caribbean region and the world in many spheres and at many levels, and also play a major role in enhancing the University’s reputation. As usual, the Director, UWI, of Alumni Relations and her team of Campus Alumni Officers ensured graduate engagement regionally and internationally.
Alignment
The Alumni Relations Mantra “One UWI, One Alumni Family” guides Alumni Relations programming, and graduates supported the continued development of the campuses as well as student scholarships philanthropically through the UWI Alumni Association’s “Every Dollar Makes a Difference Programme”; the Campus Endowment Funds; Medical Alumni Endowment; the Regional Endowment and all the Campus 75th events. Student experience was enhanced by involving graduates as guest speakers and as professional and academic e-mentors. Alumni also served The UWI as volunteers, recruiters, employers, donors and sponsors.
The Alumni Relations arm of the Institutional Advancement Division encouraged graduates to support the needs and continued development of their alma mater, and UWIAA members represented their fellow alumni on University and Campus Governance Committees and the Senate.
In 2023 The UWI was the only Caribbean university selected by Responsible Futures for their international programme to embed sustainability across teaching and learning in higher education institutions. It is led by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and Students Organising for Sustainability and is a proven framework that has positively impacted 35 universities and over 600K students in the UK. This deepens The UWI’s collaboration with the IAU and further affirms The UWI’s efforts as an SDG-engaged University. The UWI was invited to participate based on its expertise and focus on Caribbean sustainable development and its leadership in the Global University Consortium on the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). Responsible Futures is being student-led across the five UWI campuses through the UWI STAT Ambassadorial Corps, which is a leading regional student group in climate action and advocacy. The UWI STAT Climate Action and Advocacy Network (CCAAN) engages over 750 Caribbean youth to support the SDGs, and to encourage the climate resiliency of the region.
Agility
Alumni participated in the annual Global Giving Programme and supported the Endowment Funds of the campuses in order to help students finish their degrees through the provision of scholarships to deserving students across the Caribbean; as well as through grants for developmental and research projects. Several UWI Alumni Association Chapters held fundraising events to bring in revenue, such as the Florida Chapter which was able to present five 75th Anniversary scholarships from their events.
The regional UWI STAT Ambassadorial Corps hosted its annual Carry Yuh Penpal Come, pairing UWI students across the five campuses to foster integration, collaboration and cultural understanding. Over 500 students participated from 15 CARICOM states, as well as international students.