THE VALLEY, Anguilla, CMC – Anguilla’s Premier, Cora Richardson Hodge, has underscored the critical role of The University of the West Indies (UWI) in shaping national and regional development
“The decisions taken in this forum affect national capacity, regional competitiveness, and the future,” she told the UWI’s biennial Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) hybrid meetings that ended here earlier this week.
Reflecting on the realities facing Small Island States, she noted, “we understand clearly that small does not mean insignificant,” highlighting the pressures of economic uncertainty, climate vulnerability, and rapid technological change.
Richardson Hodge, who is also the island’s finance minister, told the event hosted by the Anguilla government that “our response has always been regional cooperation.”
Premier Hodge said that the sustainability of the region’s premier tertiary institution depends on its partners’ commitment, stressing that “member states must honour their financial obligations” and that delays or reductions affect staffing, student support, programme quality, and innovation.
Social Development and Education Minister, Shellya Rogers Webster, spoke about the value of UWI’s work and the impact of its partnership with Anguilla.
He said for a small island state such as Anguilla, “education is central to our sustainability and competitiveness,” adding that the partnership with the UWI ensures Anguillan students benefit from regional excellence while contributing meaningfully to the wider Caribbean’s intellectual capital.
UWI Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, noted that the University remains fundamentally strong and continues to excel globally.
He described the TAC meetings as a highlight of his annual management engagement, providing a platform to interact with the institution’s principal investors and stakeholders.
“It allows us to share insights into the impact of their investment in the University, and to speak transparently about our processes of accountability and governance.”
He said the state of the University of the West Indies is very strong and that its reputation “has never been greater,” referring to “our 2026 ranking by Times Higher Education, which places us in the top 3.6 per cent of universities worldwide.”
The Vice Chancellor credited both the contributing governments and the University’s management team, noting the UWI is in a unique position and remains committed to maintaining its reputation while strategically managing its resources to provide high-quality education to students across the Caribbean.
He said this is a commitment undertaken “on behalf of the people of the Caribbean, because we know that the people of the Caribbean deserve to have a first-class university.”
The TAC meetings brought together officials from the 17 contributing countries that support the University to review the 2026–2028 budget estimates for all campuses and university entities.
Their deliberations will inform the recommendations forwarded to the Campus and University Grants Committees, which ultimately guide budget approvals and support The UWI’s financial sustainability and regional mandate.
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