The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, WI. Wednesday, November 27, 2024—Students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) are shaping the future of the Caribbean and beyond through their research.

The University recently hosted its second annual postgraduate student conference from November 20 to 22. The event featured over 60 presentations that highlighted extensive multidisciplinary research conducted by students on a variety of topics, including health, climate resilience, sustainable development, and agriculture.

Organised by the School for Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) along with postgraduate representatives and Directors of Graduate Studies from its five campuses, the virtual event was themed “Collaborative Horizons: Interdisciplinary Visions for Caribbean and Global Progress”.

During the conference’s opening ceremony, Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, The UWI’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research, noted that the annual conference is aimed at advancing The UWI’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and solutions-driven research. She stated that the opportunities and benefits for the students are peer-reviewed publications, enhanced research, improved presentation skills, and networking. In her welcome remarks, she said, “Your work contributes to addressing Caribbean challenges while influencing global conversations. This is a platform for collaboration and transforming ideas into impactful solutions.”

Addressing the students and participating audience, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles underscored the theme’s timeliness, praising the conference’s role in fostering resilience and interdisciplinary relationships. He asserted that The UWI continues to lead as a beacon of excellence, empowering the next generation of scholars to address critical global and Caribbean challenges while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Sherma Roberts, Director of Graduate Studies and Research at Cave Hill Campus, commended the theoretical and practical contributions from the students’ presentations. She encouraged them to pursue and nurture interdisciplinary collaborations, and develop Caribbean-centric research. The support and expertise provided by other Directors of Graduate Studies and Research across The UWI system were also integral to ensuring the conference’s success.

A line-up of daily keynote speakers enhanced the discussions. Elizabeth Emanuel an international development expert who is the Lead Consultant on the Technical Assistance and Development and Corporate Communications teams of CCRIF SPC, urged researchers to prioritise the most vulnerable populations. David Evangelista, President & Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe, Eurasia and Senior Advisor for International Development for Special Olympics, Inc. emphasised that inclusivity is essential for sustainable development. Ms. Shefanie Vin, a Financial Specialist for the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme and Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Programme, both funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and a European Union grant shared insights on collaborative approaches in agriculture, highlighting the importance of regional partnerships and innovative financing models.

For more details, and to view the insightful research presented at the conference, visit https://uwi.edu/gsr/pgcon.