After almost two years of finalising its operational procedures and negotiations, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is set to launch its first-of-its-kind global online graduate business school focused on leadership within the context of supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On Wednesday, August 21, the event will be hosted as a hybrid ceremony at the Headquarters of The UWI’s Global Campus in Barbados at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Caribbean Time.
Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and endorsed by the United Nations (UN), The UWI’s new International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) was established to respond to the need to educate and empower current and future activists and leaders within the framework of the 17 United Nations SDGs.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles describes the Institute as “the largest and most transformative global project” ever undertaken by the regional University. He noted, “We have the keen support of the United Nations and its many relevant departments, including the United Nations University headquartered in Tokyo. The IDB, our financial partner, has been particularly supportive. Many other universities, such as SUNY, Glasgow, Johannesburg, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, located at Columbia University and led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, are engaged allies.”
The UWI is now the only University with such an enterprise. The idea of establishing a global online business school for the SDGs was birthed to leverage The UWI’s two decades of experience and excellence in online education through its Global Campus, its strategic focus on the SDGs, and its global recognition as a leading producer of knowledge on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Significantly, The UWI earned a perfect score of 100% for its relationships to support the goals in pursuit of SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals in the recently announced Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Currently accepting applications for January 2025 admissions, among the ISDJ offerings include Master’s degrees in Climate Studies, Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Public Health and Informatics, Sustainability and Data Analytics, Sustainability Management and more. As part of its introductory courses, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, UN advisor and global leader in sustainable development, will lead a masterclass on the Sustainable Development Goals. ISDJ has named Sachs among its Honorary Distinguished Fellows from around the world, who will contribute to the Institute’s scholarship and teaching.
From January 2025 onwards, the complete suite will comprise over a dozen laddered asynchronous online graduate programmes, ranging from one-year Master’s degrees to shorter micro-credentials at the Certificate and Diploma levels.
The August 21 launch will include remarks from Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, other members of The UWI leadership team, partners of the ISDJ and The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., MP, Prime Minister, Republic of Barbados. Dr. the Hon. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Education, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will deliver the Keynote Address. The event is scheduled to be broadcast live via UWItv’s online platforms, www.uwitv.global, www.facebook.com/UWItv and Flow Cable TV Channels.