VICE chancellor of The University of the West Indies UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles has reiterated plans to initiate the second phase of the institution’s strategic development plan.

Beckles was speaking at the official media launch of the university’s 75th anniversary, which is being recognised under the theme ‘UWI at 75: Rooted. Ready. Rising’.

In 2017 the university launched its strategic plan entitled the ‘Triple A Strategy’ with pillars of access, alignment, and agility. Phase one of the operational plan 2017-2022 called for a “Reputation Revolution”.

Noting that phase one was a “great success”, he said the reputation and the visibility of the university has never been higher, as implementation for phase two draws closer.

“Phase two focuses on the Revenue Revolution that is needed to sustain our financial viability. The conversion of our global reputation into sustained revenue is now a core purpose,” said Beckles.

“We have much in which to be proud, we have much to celebrate. Indeed, it is the dignity of our collective achievement which will be defueled for propulsion into the future we now desire,” he added.

In the meantime, while describing the 75th year of the institution as one that will “sizzle with regional activities”, he said there should be much focus on the resilience of the university throughout the challenges over the years.

“It is for me a joy and honour to join with our colleagues, our stakeholders, our students in this 75th year, in this moment of reflection and projection as we validate the value of gratitude and position it to the fore of all that we do, and to engage in activities and justify a modest measure of celebration in order to inspire the call for sustainability,” he said.

“Each decade since 1948 has been marked by challenges and difficulties as we sought to detach our people from the colonial scuffle. There have been difficult and challenging times but there has never been any doubt, neither has there been despair, there has never been a call to retreat, nor to resign. Our struggle has been spirited and just, purposeful and righteous,” he added.

January 7, 2023 was declared UWI Day and was commemorated with a series of proclamations by some regional heads of state across the region

The first event following UWI Day is an Interfaith Convocation Service at the University Chapel at the Mona campus on Sunday, January 8.