The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has recognised 14 outstanding postgraduate researchers from its third annual student conference and announced plans to host its 4th Annual One UWI Postgraduate Student Conference from November 18–21, 2026. According to Antigua News Room, the upcoming conference will be held under the theme "Advancing Knowledge, Shaping Futures: Research, Innovation, and Impact Across the Caribbean and Beyond."
The 3rd Annual One-UWI Postgraduate Student Conference, rescheduled from November 2025, was held virtually from January 20–22, 2026, drawing more than 600 participants. The event featured 51 research presentations spanning health, climate resilience, education, governance, and sustainable development.
The 14 award recipients recently received electronic gift vouchers along with other prizes and giveaways. Their winning presentations were selected based on originality, academic rigour, and relevance to Caribbean development priorities, reflecting the breadth of postgraduate scholarship across The UWI.
The conference opened with an address by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and featured distinguished speakers including Ms. Nadine Bushell from Lions Clubs International, Mr. Rodolpho Gonçalves da Silva from UNESP, Brazil, and Mr. Ishaan Sudan, a sustainability entrepreneur from India. Their presentations focused on resilience, innovation, youth leadership, and service in addressing global challenges.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research, Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, praised the quality of the submitted work. "These presentations demonstrate the exceptional quality of postgraduate research across The UWI and direct application to real-world challenges. They reflect a strong commitment to producing knowledge that matters to the Caribbean," she said.
Professor Henry-Lee also extended appreciation to all contributors to the event's success. "SGSR extends sincere appreciation to the Session Chairs, Session Discussants, Directors of Graduate Studies and Research, Postgraduate Student Representatives, Guild representatives, presenters, attendees, and organising team whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the conference," she added.
The conference's impact extended beyond academia. On January 23, 2026, postgraduate students and partners carried out a community outreach initiative in Hanover, Jamaica, providing relief and support to more than 200 families affected by Hurricane Melissa. Organised in partnership with the Lions Clubs of Jamaica and the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, the effort underscored the University's commitment to civic engagement and served as a pilot for the proposed UWI Give Back Day planned for November 2026.
Now entering its fourth year, the One-UWI Postgraduate Student Conference continues to grow in reach and influence, providing students with a platform to present research of regional and global relevance. Planning for the November 2026 conference is already underway, with organisers expecting to further elevate postgraduate scholarship and deepen engagement across all UWI campuses and partner institutions.
The University of the West Indies has served Caribbean development for over 75 years. Established in 1948 in Jamaica with just 33 medical students, The UWI has grown into a globally recognised institution with nearly 50,000 students across five campuses — Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus — as well as international centres spanning North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The UWI offers more than 1,000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes across a wide range of disciplines. It remains the only English-speaking Caribbean institution featured in four of the Times Higher Education's prestigious ranking lists, which assess research output, institutional age, regional performance, and contributions to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information on the conference, interested parties may contact [email protected] or [email protected].
