KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which will provide a framework for the institutions to cooperate on resource mobilisation, integration and furthering the sustainable development of the Caribbean region.

The virtual signing event was held on October 27. The MoU was signed in English, Spanish and French.

“This day we take another critical step in the deconstruction of the colonial Caribbean,” Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said at the event.

According to the UWI, the agreement will allow for the exchange of information, collaboration in organising of conferences and seminars, research and innovation, and training, especially in the areas of disaster risk reduction, trade, transport, sustainable tourism and the protection of the Caribbean Sea.

“The University of the West Indies is resolute in its agenda to decolonise the structures inherited from history… Only the integration of our Caribbean world can fully unleash the potential of our people,” Beckley said.

“It is our mutual intention to advance the process of regional cooperation and consciousness.”

Noting further that “this MOU between The UWI and ACS will give greater sustainability to our integration activities”, Beckles underpinned the centrality of this alignment between the UWI and ACS beyond an English-based framework, and within the context of the greater Caribbean region.

He explained that this began with the university’s bold move, last year, to forge partnerships with Cuba’s University of Havana and Universidad de los Andes (UNIANDES) in Colombia. It was further cemented with the University of St Maarten’s incorporation into the UWI system earlier this month.

Beckles made special reference to the university’s strategic priority to be multilingual by 2023 as part of the “preparation of an entire generation of students and young people to take command and control of their Caribbean space”.

This signing made the university a social partner of the ACS.

Expounding on the significance, ACS Secretary General Dr June Soomer said, “As the 13th social actor within the ACS, you will be engaging with an organisation that was established in 1994, at the height of the decolonisation process. It was an organisation that Caricom agreed should be formed as we made our way into the world.”

“I’m very happy today that we are signing this agreement that will give the university the opportunity to engage with us on some very forward-thinking and engaging issues. We have been working with the university on geospatial data management, we have the opportunity to further that engagement, as well as a variety of other areas. Concerted action is about implementation and we have a restructured organisation fit for purpose,” Soomer added.