UWI hosts Nigerian Vice-Chancellor delegation

Last week marked another milestone in strengthening connections between the Caribbean and Africa. According to a UWI  media release, a delegation of 20 newly appointed Vice-Chancellors from Nigeria visited The University of the West Indies (UWI) headquarters in Jamaica, where they were welcomed by UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.

This visit was initiated by the Nigerian Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Universities (CVCNU), aiming to give emerging Nigerian university leaders firsthand insight into UWI’s achievements and its approach to navigating the complex interplay of national priorities and global issues, said a UWI release. The university also indicated that the initiative aligns with the broader efforts of higher education institutions in the Global South to develop sustainable strategies for international engagement and competitiveness.

Nigeria boasts approximately 140 public universities alongside a similar number of private institutions. Meanwhile, UWI is recognized as a leading and reputable institution globally, ranked among the top 3.6% of the 33,000 universities worldwide by the Times Higher Education (THE), as per the release.

Specifically, the Nigerian delegation and UWI representatives gathered from February 10-12 for the Africa–Caribbean Higher Education Summit. Reportedly, the event fostered lively discussions on various topics, including long-term strategic planning, research for societal development, curriculum standards, global university rankings, optimizing impact amid limited resources, and fostering visionary leadership.

The UWI reports that during the opening ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Beckles described the event as “a spiritual moment,” emphasizing the deep-rooted historical connections between the Caribbean and Africa. He highlighted Nigeria’s significant intellectual influence on UWI’s evolution, stating that  “Nigeria has had a profound intellectual impact on the development of this university”, and that UWI’s history cannot be separated from these fundamental regional ties.

Professor Andrew Haruna, Secretary-General of the CVCNU, acknowledged both the opportunities and hurdles facing Nigeria’s higher education system. He also pointed out the long-standing contributions of Caribbean scholars to Nigerian academic and intellectual life. Haruna expressed optimism that this partnership would foster innovative models of transnational education and strengthen sectoral collaborations.

Further cementing the partnership, Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown Polytechnic and a prominent member of the Caribbean diaspora in Canada, delivered the keynote address. He urged the development of purpose-driven universities and emphasized the importance of indigenous publishing, which plays a vital role in elevating research from the Global South on the global stage.

Throughout the three-day summit, the participation of all UWI Principals and Pro Vice-Chancellors demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the “ONE UWI” vision. Their active engagement fostered a dynamic environment for collaboration and exchange of ideas, with each leader contributing valuable perspectives, said the release.

On the final day, Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI’s Five Islands Campus, provided closing remarks.

He highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation, stating, “South-South collaboration is not a consolation prize. It is a strategic imperative…The solutions to the challenges facing developing nations will increasingly
come from institutions like ours—working together, learning from one another, and refusing to wait for permission to lead.”