News Releases

The agroprocessing sector in Barbados is poised for a transformative leap forward with the launch of an innovative Black Belly Sheep Project. The groundbreaking initiative combines cultural heritage with cutting-edge science and sustainable practices.

Spearheaded by a dynamic partnership between the Center for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI) at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the project is set to revolutionize Barbados’ livestock and leather industries. By harnessing the potential of the island’s iconic Black Belly Sheep, the initiative reimagines the hides of this native breed as high-value artifacts, blending craftsmanship with scientific precision.

The venture represents a bold step toward economic diversification and cultural preservation. “This project aims to transform the livestock and leather industries in Barbados, elevating them to exceptional economic and cultural significance,” explained Dr. Singh, Director of CAGRI. “We are building a high-value industry that integrates science and art to drive national development—a true demonstration of progress in Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).”The agroprocessing sector in Barbados is poised for a transformative leap forward with the launch of an innovative Black Belly Sheep Project. The groundbreaking initiative combines cultural heritage with cutting-edge science and sustainable practices.
 
Spearheaded by a dynamic partnership between the Center for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI) at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the project is set to revolutionize Barbados’ livestock and leather industries. By harnessing the potential of the island’s iconic Black Belly Sheep, the initiative reimagines the hides of this native breed as high-value artifacts, blending craftsmanship with scientific precision.
 
The venture represents a bold step toward economic diversification and cultural preservation. “This project aims to transform the livestock and leather industries in Barbados, elevating them to exceptional economic and cultural significance,” explained Dr. Singh, Director of CAGRI. “We are building a high-value industry that integrates science and art to drive national development—a true demonstration of progress in Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).”

A call has been issued for urgent action to be taken to address the scourge of violence against women.
 
 

When large swathes of invasive seaweed started washing up on Caribbean beaches in 2011, local residents were perplexed.     

Soon, mounds of unsightly sargassum – carried by currents from the Sargasso Sea and linked to climate change – were carpeting the region’s prized coastlines, repelling holidaymakers with the pungent stench emitted as it rots.

A group of science students from The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Cave Hill Campus gained hands-on experience in ecological stewardship through an initiative between The UWI’s Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI) and the Mount Gay Rum Distillery (MGRD).
The academic-industry collaboration enabled the students to document local biodiversity and establish a baseline for future conservation efforts. This short biological survey, dubbed a mini-BioBlitz, formed part of the course entitled "Ecology of a Changing Planet", and underscored the importance of practical conservation efforts in addressing environmental challenges.
Students recorded plant and animal species within a one-kilometer radius of the Mount Gay Distillery. Under the guidance of Dr. Linton Arneaud, an ecologist and lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), they observed and catalogued local biodiversity. Over a two-hour period, they recorded more than 80 species from over 200 observations across diverse habitats, including tree branches, open fields, moist gullies, and even along concrete surfaces. According to Dr. Arneaud, the event underscores the importance of fostering community engagement in conservation efforts.
 

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has made it into the World University Rankings (WUR) published by Times Higher Education for the sixth consecutive year.   

The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus is once again at the forefront of Caribbean efforts to address the impact of climate change, as the region prepares to take its case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

A leading regional hotelier is urging the private and higher education sectors to play a greater role in tackling youth deviance and violence.

Students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus, and the University of Dayton School of Law can now pursue two advanced degrees through a unique partnership, boosting their global career prospects and providing a deeper understanding of cross-border legal issues. This collaboration affords students the chance to earn an LL.M. in Corporate and Commercial Law or Intellectual Property Law from The UWI, alongside an LL.M. in American and Transnational Law from the University of Dayton, equipping them with comprehensive expertise in both Caribbean and American legal systems.  

New Academic Dress to be unveiled at 2024 Graduation Ceremonies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) celebrates its rich Caribbean legacy and continued evolution as an independent university, as it takes one step closer to a complete break from colonial ties.
 
The institution’s 2024 graduation ceremonies will include the unveiling of a new collection of academic regalia (gowns), significantly redesigned for the first time in seven and a half decades.
 
 

As The University of the West Indies (The UWI) approaches its time-honoured annual graduation season, the anticipation is high for a special celebration of the institution's Caribbean legacy.