Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided

Minister of Education of Bermuda, The Honourable Diallo V. Rabain. Photo: Provided

The Ministry of Education in Bermuda is dedicating $35,000 from its current scholarship budget to assist students in attending one of the three University of West Indies campuses. Photo: Provided

“Mr Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise and give notice of the renewal of the relationship between the Bermudian people and the University of West Indies. Starting immediately, the Ministry of Education will provide scholarship opportunities for Bermudian students to attend the University of West Indies.”

“The Ministry of Education is serious about seeing the relationship between Bermuda and the University of West Indies grow. As a result, the Ministry of Education is dedicating $35,000 from our current scholarship budget to assist students in attending one of the three University of West Indies campuses. This funding will cover 80% of the educational expenses of students with the student paying the remaining 20%.”

“Applications are being accepted from now up until July 26th for the 2019 Fall Term with additional information on the application process to be found on the MOED website.”

One may rightly ask why this is so monumental.

There are a myriad of reasons why this is of great significance to Bermudians.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has a 70 year history of excellence in producing qualified Caribbean professionals in all fields ranging from Education to Law and Medicine. The majority of both former and current political leaders in the Caribbean are graduates of UWI.

For those who question the global reputation of this institution, a recent report by Times Higher Education has verified the standards met and or exceeded by UWI.

“The 2019 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings has ranked the University of the West Indies (UWI) among the world’s top institutions...Newly released rankings show that UWI is now placed among the 1,258 top universities in world for 2019...This puts UWI in the elite band of the top five per cent of universities worldwide based on data showing that there are over 25,000 recognised universities, globally.”

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/new-rankings-put-uwi-among-top-5-percent-best-universities-globally

“For the past 70 years The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has provided service and leadership to the Caribbean region and wider world...In 2018, The UWI celebrates its evolution from a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948 to an internationally respected, regional university with near 50,000 students. Today, The UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, and an Open Campus serving 17 Caribbean island-nations.”

Here are some of the courses taught at the University of the West Indies

• Computer Science
• Clinical, pre-clinical & health
• Medicine & Dentistry
• Business & economics
• Accounting & Finance
• Economics & Econometrics
• Business & Management
• Psychology

• Social sciences    
• Politics & International Studies (incl Development Studies)
• Communication & Media Studies
• Veterinary Science
• Biological Sciences
• Sport Science
• Physics & Astronomy
• Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Art, Performing Arts & Design
• History, Philosophy & Theology
• Languages, Literature & Linguistics
• Law
• Engineering & Technology

As you can see, the range is extremely wide. Many of the graduates of UWI have been instrumental in moving the Caribbean region away from neglected agricultural colonies into prosperous developing nations with diversified economies.

As Bermuda continues to develop and diversify, we can learn much from those in the Caribbean by having our children live and study at any one of the three campuses.

One of the key mandates of this government is to find ways to help those who are in financial need. So, for those students who wish to pursue any of the above disciplines, but may or may not have all the financing needed, this new scholarship provides a much-needed assist by providing the lion’s share of funding. Whilst it may be a bit late in the game for normal university registration timelines, UWI has extended the registration process for Bermudian students until July 26th.

Over the next few months and years, there will be a greater emphasis on the University of West Indies with UWI showcasing what they have to offer to Bermudian students. Those who have an interest in attending in the future should go to the following website www.uwi.edu 

The efforts of Minister of Education Diallo Rabain, the Ministry of Education, along with UWI Vice Chancellor, Sir Hilary Beckles, are truly starting to bear fruit.