Monthly historic parish hikes, a sharing of scholarship through lectures and other learning activities as well as an educational bus tour on Emancipation Day are among a raft of year-long outreach activities that are planned to mark the 60th anniversary of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

The celebrations will be held under the theme ‘Resolute and Resilient’, and officially begin with a festive parade around campus on Friday, February 20, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Addressing the media launch on Thursday, January 19, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, said via a recorded message that Cave Hill has made a defining difference in the quality of life of the people of Barbados and the wider region, and the campus has a critical role in their future development.

“It therefore means that we need to produce our students to be able to truly be global citizens with Bajan or Caribbean roots, recognizing that it is only in partnership with others elsewhere in the world in pursuit of scholarship, in pursuit of knowledge, in pursuit of a humanizing influence, in pursuit of being a disruptor, to do better than we were doing before.

“It is only against that backdrop that The University of the West Indies will remain that vital body, especially with Cave Hill as one of the campuses, that will make a difference not just in Caribbean civilization, Barbadian development, but to global stability and prosperity,” she added.

Principal, Professor Clive Landis lauded the growth of the institution over the past six decades, and noted that the calendar of events includes a heavy focus on outreach.

“This is consistent with the Cave Hill 2022-2027 strategy themed on ‘Creating Value from our Ideas’, as we seek to translate out strengths in research into creating value for society, but also not forgetting to create value for the university itself through entrepreneurial activities,” he stated.

Reflecting on the history of the institution, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles pointed to the campus’s contribution to the development of Barbados and the region.

“Cave Hill did not let this country down; it did not let this region down; it did not let this university down. It carried its responsibility with purpose, with passion, and with dignity,” he said.

Chairman of the Campus Council, Sir Paul Altman hailed the campus’s remarkable history adding: “Cave Hill has grown into one of the most beautiful campuses anywhere in the world, but the most exciting part … has been its contribution to the minds and development of Barbadians, other Caribbean people and beyond.”

Cave Hill, the third landed campus of The UWI community, opened in 1963 at a temporary location at the Deep-Water Harbour before moving to its current location in 1967.

The campus’s 60th anniversary celebrations coincide with the 75th anniversary of The UWI which began in 1948 in Jamaica.