The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is turning its attention to one of its closest neighbours, Cuba, whose current realities have captured regional and global concern.
The University will host a Vice-Chancellor’s Forum titled “Perspectives on the Current Cuban Crisis: Issues, Impact, and Imperatives” on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. Eastern Caribbean/AST time and 10:00 a.m. Jamaica time. The hybrid event will be held at the Eon Nigel Harris Council Room at The UWI’s Regional Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica and will be streamed live via UWI tv, inviting Caribbean citizens and the global community to join the conversation.
Cuba is confronting profound socio-economic strain, characterised by shortages of essential goods, ongoing energy challenges, and broader economic pressures. These developments have had ripple effects across the Caribbean and beyond, as the country navigates complex international relationships and internal reform efforts. Against a backdrop of evolving global dynamics, including longstanding trade restrictions, fluctuations in tourism, and migration pressures, Cuba’s situation has become an urgent matter for regional dialogue and cooperation.
Cognisant of its role as a regional thought leader, The UWI has taken decisive steps to respond, not only by convening this high-level forum to deepen understanding and inspire action, but also through a university-wide humanitarian initiative. Throughout June, this “One-UWI Humanitarian Effort” is mobilizing staff, students, alumni and partners across all campuses to make monetary contributions for essential supplies, delivering tangible assistance through collective action and community engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Forum is led by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor in collaboration with the Office of the Board for Undergraduate Studies, the Latin American-Caribbean Centre (LACC) and the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES). It will bring together a distinguished panel of regional and international experts, including senior academic leaders, diplomats, and policy specialists, who will examine the scope and drivers of the current crisis in Cuba, government responses and emerging strategies, the implications for CARICOM and wider international relations, and opportunities for regional solidarity and collective action.
Leading the conversation, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles will deliver remarks alongside Her Excellency Tania López Larroque, the Ambassador of Cuba to Jamaica. They will be supported by an expert panel that includes Professor Emerita Jessica Byron-Reid, former Head of the Institute of International Relations (IIR) at The UWI; Professor Bert Hoffmann, Lead Researcher at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA); Professor Andy Knight, Distinguished University Professor at the University of Alberta; Dr. Miriam Nicado, Rector of the University of Havana; and Dr. Indira Rampersad, Head of the Department of Political Science and Senior Lecturer in Political Science/International Relations at The UWI St. Augustine.
The discussion will be moderated by Professor Canute S. Thompson, Professor of Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership; Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies; and Chair of the Board for Undergraduate Studies at The UWI, and Professor Don D. Marshall, Professor of International Political Economy and Development Studies and University Director of SALISES at The UWI. Additionally, Ambassador Gillian Bristol, Director of the Latin American-Caribbean Centre (LACC) and Strategic Coordinator for The UWI Multilingual Culture Programme, will serve as chair for the live event.
For more than a decade, the UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Forums have been a platform for informed public discussion. Under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, this series brings together prominent academics, policymakers, and practitioners to explore critical socio-economic, political, and developmental issues affecting the Caribbean and beyond.
The public is invited to tune in live via UWI tv’ s website, www.uwitv.global or its regional Flow channels, to be part of this upcoming forum offering insight, urgency, and a space for meaningful engagement on one of the region’s most pressing concerns.
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Note to Editor: Contributions to the “One-UWI Humanitarian Effort” in support of Cuba can be made via
About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.
Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.
Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE’s prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).