The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) have formally strengthened their longstanding collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management, UWI Cave Hill Campus.
The agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in key areas including digital policy and regulation, evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, resource mobilisation and the implementation of regional digital strategies. The partnership builds on existing collaboration between the institutions, including The UWI’s contributions to CTU-led initiatives in artificial intelligence policy development, capacity building and regional digital harmonisation efforts.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Affairs at The UWI, Ms. Sandrea Maynard, said noted that “this Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared recognition that the Caribbean’s digital challenges—and opportunities—require coordinated regional leadership. Through this partnership, UWI and CTU are committing to work more intentionally to strengthen policy coherence, build regional capacity, and ensure that Caribbean perspectives are meaningfully represented in global digital and data governance conversations. This collaboration is about advancing development, resilience, and agency for the region.”
CTU Secretary-General Mr. Rodney Taylor expressed that “this partnership brings together The UWI’s academic excellence and the CTU’s regional policy leadership to strengthen digital transformation across the Caribbean. As we navigate emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital resilience, this collaboration will help ensure that the region not only responds to global developments but actively shapes them. Most importantly, this MoU moves us from dialogue to action, delivering tangible outcomes that advance sustainable development and benefit Caribbean people.”
The agreement comes as digital transformation continues to influence critical areas of Caribbean development, including economic growth, public service delivery, climate resilience and regional competitiveness. Through the partnership, The UWI will provide support through its research capabilities, training programmes, policy expertise and international networks, while CTU will contribute its regional leadership in information and communications technology development.
The collaboration will also support several upcoming initiatives, including a Regional Artificial Intelligence Forum in Trinidad from July 23–24, 2026, discussions on digital governance and policy harmonisation during CTU ICT Week in French Guiana in September, and the advancement of The UWI Institute for Intelligent Systems, Governance and Human-Centred Technology (INSIGHT). As both institutions move toward implementation, the partnership signals a shift from cooperation through individual initiatives to a more structured regional approach aimed at ensuring the Caribbean has a stronger voice in shaping the future of digital development.