Let me extend warmest welcome to our new and returning students for the academic year 2009-2010. Congratulations to our Freshers on making the decision to attend the premier tertiary institution in the region. You have joined us at an exciting time. In 2008 we celebrated the University’s 60th anniversary celebrations, reminding ourselves of our humble beginnings, rich history and impact. Our mission now is the transformation of a University established in colonial times into an agile, globally competitive 21st century academy. 

In rolling out our Strategic Plan 2007-2012, we have embarked on a number of programmes designed to enhance your experience as students. We have taken steps to ensure that the academic programme of your choosing will be of the highest standard and comparable with first class institutions worldwide. To guarantee this, we have improved infrastructural facilities across the campus. I am particularly pleased that we now have a modern facility for students with special needs. Additionally, our new multipurpose court, which accommodates basketball, netball and volleyball compliments our indoor facility and will provide you with adequate amenities for training and matches. 

We have enhanced our information technology capabilities. In addition to increased numbers of computers in the library, and our laptop rental programme, we have added more wireless hotspots across the campus.  What is more, we are taking steps to make the campus completely wireless in the near future. We have also augmented our database access so as to facilitate greater research activity. With new state-of-the-art labs, lecture theatres and libraries, your teaching and learning experience will be of the highest standard.

I wish to assure our new students that the University is geared towards exposing you to experiences that will assist in preparing you for the national, regional and global marketplace. I urge you to develop your full potential in academia as well as extra curricula activities. I encourage you, especially, to be a part of the First Year Experience, which is designed to help you adjust to the challenges of campus life. This period of adjustment is critical and your participation in this and other programmes organised by the Faculties and the Office of Student Services and Development can make your transition into university life as smooth and incident free as possible.

Congratulations to our returning students. It is my hope that you will continue to focus on your academic and personal growth. You are on a path to achievement and with diligence you will attain excellence. You may notice that we have made efforts to improve the aesthetics of the Campus. We have constructed several outdoor student facilities and expanded the Commuting Students’ Lounge. This is part of our ongoing effort to make the learning experience as comfortable and enriching as possible.

As the academic year begins then, I urge you all to immerse yourself in the UWI experience, both the academic and the cultural, so that your time here will be enriching and will allow you to realize all your potential at this critical point in your lives.