Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, was among the Government Representatives in attendance at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Annual Council Meeting in Antigua on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. She was one of the four delegates from Anguilla at the historic business meeting of the fourth Campus of the University. Council Member, Mr. Stanley E. Reid (OBE), attended as the Chancellor’s Representative, while Manager for the UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming Banks, represented the UWI Open Campus Academic Board, and Dr. Karl Dawson represented the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI).
The meeting was presided over by the new Chair of the Open Campus Council, Ambassador Dr. June Soomer, and included a special appearance by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams. Sir Rodney’s attendance marked the first time that a Governor General attended a UWI Campus Council Meeting, and the esteemed UWI Graduate used the opportunity to bring greetings and pledge his continued support for his alma mater.
Under the theme, “Opening Doors to Life Changing Learning”, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth, presented her 2016/2017 report to the Council. With 2018 marking ten years since the launch of the Open Campus, Principal Longsworth highlighted the Campus’ progress in the context of the 70th anniversary of the University. The Report also outlined the major advancements and activities undertaken over the last academic year, as well as the projections for the future of the Campus.
The Council Meeting also heard from Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who welcomed Ambassador Soomer as the new Chair, and thanked the Governor General and Lady Williams for their unprecedented appearance at the meeting. The UWI Vice Chancellor also applauded Principal Longsworth and her team on the accomplishments of the Open Campus.
Campus Councils are the governing and executive bodies of the individual campuses of the UWI, with powers vested by the University Council, to manage all matters as prescribed in Statute 21 and subject to The UWI’s Charter. Each year the four Campuses present their annual reports as a lead up to the general University Council Meeting which takes place in April.
– Press Release