In September 2011, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris, The University of the West Indies officially began developing its fourth five-year Strategic Plan. Over the past year, The University Office of Planning and Development, headed by Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Downes, has done an admirable job coordinating the process and is now pleased to publish, during what Professor Harris terms a ‘pivotal’ moment due to a bevy of competitive challenges, The University of the West Indies’ Strategic Plan 2012 – 2017. 

The Plan, which was approved by the University Council on April 24, 2012, integrates welcomed feedback from all categories of UWI stakeholders and utilises the internationally recognised Balanced Scorecard (BSC) framework. The BSC framework allows for the linking of our institution’s Vision with Strategic Goals and Objectives and will facilitate the effective monitoring of performance against Objectives. 

The UWI Strategic Framework, summarises The UWI’s new Strategic Plan which includes realigned Mission and Vision statements and Core Values which will guide The UWI’s policy and decision making processes. The Plan centres on six integrated Perspectives which will engage the institution’s core attention and resources for the next five-years. They are:  

1.Financial

2.Employee Engagement and Development

3.Internal Operational Processes

4.Teaching, Learning and Student Development

5.Research and Innovation

6.Outreach

These Perspectives are closely linked and form an Integrated Framework that will inform overall university activities and operations.   

Each of The UWI’s four campuses as well as the units of the Vice Chancellery are currently working to develop biennial Operational Plans that, when collated, will be the substance of a University-wide biennial Operational Plan.  Faculties, Divisions and Units have autonomy to fashion the Objectives of the Strategic Plan into Operational Plans, based on relevant projects and activities which are linked to key performance indicators and measurable targets.

The success of these Operational Plans, and by extension the wider Strategic Plan, is largely dependent on effective management, creative leadership and wide-spread ownership of the Plan by all stakeholders. Concerted effort is being placed on developing a culture of engagement and inclusion and it is hoped that this will result in all stakeholders actively ‘living’ the Strategic Plan and contributing to its success. 

With the successful implementation of the Plan, The UWI should achieve its new Vision that, “by 2017, The University of the West Indies will be globally recognised as a regionally integrated, innovative, internationally competitive university, deeply rooted in all aspects of Caribbean development and committed to serving the diverse people of the region and beyond”.

To view a copy of the UWI Strategic Plan 2012 – 2017, please visit the University Office of Planning and Development’s website at www.uwi.edu/planningoffice/default.aspx