Dr. Francis O. Severin, the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Global Campus, delivered the keynote address at the Dominica Association of Teachers’ Annual General Meeting on April 23, 2025. As the featured speaker, Dr. Severin engaged educators from across the country with an inspiring message aligned with the meeting’s theme, “Unite, Inspire, Achieve: The Power of Teamwork in Education.”
According to a UWI press release, the address emphasized the vital roles of collaboration, innovation, and professional development in fostering educational excellence.
In his speech, Dr. Severin reflected on the evolution of education over the past twenty years, contrasting the landscape in 2006 with today’s realities. He remarked that the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered educational institutions, stating, “The actual foundations of educational institutions were shaken, and their ability to deliver high-quality credentials and skills at all levels was severely undermined.”
He highlighted the critical role played by The UWI Global Campus (formerly The UWI Open Campus) in ensuring continuity through online learning during periods when many institutions had to close their doors.
He also examined the profound influence of social media and the advent of Industry 5.0.
Noting that social media has revolutionized nearly every aspect of modern life, Dr. Severin explained, “Social media has revolutionised and impacted our lives, jobs, and professions and has influenced nearly every aspect of modern life.”
Regarding Industry 5.0, he described it as “a stage of industrialisation that ‘enhances’ Industry 4.0, by accentuating human-centric approaches, sustainability, and resilience.”
Expanding on the shifting global landscape, Dr. Severin discussed the fragility of democracy, emerging threats to academic freedom, and societal pressures that hinder open discourse. He observed, “No one in 2006 would have been discussing the likelihood of the loss of academic freedom at any university or higher education institution in the United States of America, let alone its top universities. Stated differently, no one in 2006 would have thought that universities would be constrained to make a choice between academic freedom or disposing of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).”
In emphasizing the role of educators amid these complexities, Dr. Severin encouraged teachers to embrace self-efficacy as part of their “covenant.” He stated, “Teamwork in and of itself, while a sine qua non to achieving your objective, must be based on premises that are relevant, practical and aim to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of your students as you prepare them for an uncertain future. If you are not confident in doing this task or if you lack self-efficacy, then you will not achieve optimal outcomes and excellent performance in your students.”
He also connected self-efficacy, teamwork, and Industry 5.0, highlighting key features of the latter, including a human-centric approach prioritizing well-being, sustainability through environmentally conscious practices, resilience to disruptions, meaningful collaboration between humans and machines, and a sense of social responsibility aimed at addressing global challenges.
Dr. Severin stressed that professional unions like the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) must actively support and prepare their members for the principles of Industry 5.0. “This will, in turn, provide teachers with the self-confidence that they require to produce optimal outcomes in their students,” he explained. He further emphasized the power of unity, asserting, “There is power in unity, and there is strength and confidence in numbers, which will certainly result from teachers supporting each other as a united group that faces similar challenges.”
He called on the DAT to adopt the principle of Responsible Leadership, a concept often associated with political figures but equally relevant for educators responsible for shaping citizens. Citing Yücel (2023), Dr. Severin explained that Responsible Leadership centers on accountability, moral decision-making, and trust. It involves navigating the complexities of globalization, fostering trust, and engaging stakeholders meaningfully to promote the greater good.
Furthermore, Dr. Severin urged the DAT to find inspiration in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the critical role educators play in achieving targets such as poverty eradication, quality education, and sustainable energy. He highlighted the launch of The University of the West Indies’ International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global business school dedicated to online graduate programs focused on leadership and transformation rooted in SDG principles. He noted that the Global Campus was proud to host this significant initiative, underscoring its rich history of contributing to the betterment of Caribbean life through various educational programs.
As he concluded his address, the press release indicated that Dr. Severin reflected on the importance of building effective teams, a concept closely linked to SDG 17, which promotes partnerships. He cited Mealiea and Baltazar (2005), who identified attributes such as collaboration, networking, role/goal clarity, and team orientation as essential to team success. He emphasized that listening, open communication, and ongoing self-assessment are vital for teams to adapt and thrive in the rapidly changing educational environment.
Finally, Dr. Severin reportedly expressed confidence in the formidable role of educators in shaping the future of education in Dominica.
“As educators, you must be innovative and even radically depart from the mundane chalk and talk. You must be agents of change. You must strive to ground your teaching in existential reality and experience, whether in virtual or physical classrooms. Only by inspiring your members and by providing responsible and ethical leadership, will we have a bright future,” he stated.
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