The University of the West Indies (UWI) proudly announces that its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, has been appointed Distinguished Scholar for 2026-2027 by New York University (NYU). Sir Hilary will be hosted by NYU’s Centre for the Study of Africa and the African Diaspora, led by acclaimed scholar Professor Michael Gomez.
In responding to the honour, Vice-Chancellor Beckles expressed gratitude, stating, “This is a valued expression of fellowship, especially as the Centre is renowned for its outstanding scholarship and research. In 1994, I was a visiting scholar at NYU’s Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and was succeeded by Professor Kamau Brathwaite. Being back at NYU after 32 years, now among leading scholars of African history, will be special.”
As Distinguished Scholar, Sir Hilary will deliver a public lecture on October 13, 2026, entitled “The Economics of Wealth Creation: Why Enslaved Black Women Were the Financial Core of the Slavery Business Model.” The event will be held at NYU Silver Centre, Hemmerdinger Hall, New York City, beginning at 5:30 pm. For more information and registration, visit https://csaad.nyu.edu/event/chattel-like-cattle-enslaved-women-as-perfect-property/.
This latest accolade follows in a series of prestigious international recognitions for Vice-Chancellor Beckles, including his selection as the Honorary International Historian of the Year by the Association of American Historians in 2022 and his role as Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor-at-Large at Cornell University. Each not only celebrates Sir Hilary’s impactful scholarship and leadership on the world stage, but also continues to raise the global profile of The University of the West Indies, reflecting its commitment to excellence, international collaboration, engagement, and important scholarly dialogue.
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).
This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s
International School for Development Justice (ISDJ),
a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development. The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at
www.uwi.edu
.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: New York University honours Sir Hilary.