From Jamaica Gleaner

Cementing its place as the Caribbean’s top University, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) made its debut in the Times Higher Education University Rankings as the only institution in the Caribbean region to be listed in the 2018 Latin America University Rankings.

The list, which includes 129 of the best universities across the region, was released on July 18, 2018, by the prestigious United Kingdom-based publication, and leading provider of higher education data for the world’s research-led institutions.

Compiled using rich and robust institutional data, times higher’s criteria included teaching; research; citations/research influence; international outlook; and knowledge transfer.

The UWI was ranked among the 40 best universities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The University was also ranked 4th for its international agenda and 26th for its research impact.

The UWI placed 37th out of 129 universities rated overall.

“The UWI’s exceptional performance in these rankings is the result of a series of deliberate strategic initiatives advanced by The UWI in the implementation of its Triple A Strategy (Strategic Plan 2017-2022), focused on Access, Alignment, and Agility.” the regional university said in a statement.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles commented: “Entering officially into the rankings for the first time required tremendous mobilisation of resolve and resources. While we are very pleased with our entry ranking, alongside the largest, wealthiest universities, private and public, in the biggest countries we recognise that we cannot rest on our laurels, not even for ten minutes, until we have reached top ten status in the next ten years. We know what we have to do and our team is getting on with it.”

He added, “As The UWI sets its sights on the global university ranking to be released in September 2018 in Singapore, we note that radically our enhancing international reputation and status is our ultimate target.”

Vice-Chancellor Beckles serves as the President of the Association of Caribbean Universities and Research Institutes with a remit to improve the regional and global standing of universities in the region.

There are over 100 registered Caribbean universities.

This year marks a milestone anniversary for The UWI.

The regional institution celebrates 70 years of service and leadership as the largest, most longstanding, higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

IMAGE: UWI, Mona Campus – File photo

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