The UWI Hosts Landmark Africa–Caribbean Higher Education Summit with Nigerian Vice-Chancellors

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, W.I., Friday, 6 February, 2026— In a significant step towards fostering collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is set to host an Africa–Caribbean Higher Education Summit. Scheduled for February 10–12, 2026, at The UWI Regional Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, this event will bring together a distinguished delegation of Vice-Chancellors from Nigeria, marking a key moment for higher education partnerships between the two regions.

Under the theme “Bridging Continents, Building Futures,” the Summit marks a historic engagement between The UWI and the umbrella organisation – the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), signalling the deepening of higher education partnership between Africa and the Caribbean.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration in research, innovation, leadership development, and global impact, while advancing a shared vision for South–South cooperation in higher education.

This meeting underscores The UWI’s commitment to global engagement, regional leadership, and meaningful Africa–Caribbean partnership, advancing higher education as a driver of shared development and transformation.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice‑Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, states:

“This Summit brings together senior university leaders from the two sides of the Atlantic for a purposeful exchange. Through a series of high‑level working sessions, we are exploring practical pathways for collaboration and leadership that transform our shared heritage and complementary strengths into concrete, time‑bound initiatives for global impact.”

While the Summit is structured as a closed, working engagement, members of the UWI community, along with partners and stakeholders from the region and beyond, are invited to join the livestream for the Opening Ceremony.

It takes place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. (Jamaica / EST) and 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. (Eastern Caribbean / AST). The livestream can be accessed through UWItv via www.uwitv.global.

The programme features welcome and opening remarks from Professor Densil Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Mona Campus, followed by an address from Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. Additional remarks will be made by Mrs. Bintu Bwala Ekikor, Chargé d’Affaires for the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Jamaica. The ceremony will conclude with an address from Professor Andrew Haruna, Secretary General and Head of Delegation, CVCNU.