New UWI Chancellor Robert Bermudez takes office

The University of the West Indies (UWI) marks a change in its leadership as it welcomed a new chancellor. Yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago national, Robert Bermudez, assumed duties as the sixth chancellor of the university, having been appointed at the university council's annual business meeting on April 27 to succeed Sir George Alleyne.

Chancellor Bermudez has been an entrepreneur for more than 40 years. He led the growth of his family-owned firm into a regional business throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and has enjoyed a distinguished career in business, serving as either chairman or board director for several corporate bodies in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. His vision for the university outlines a keen sense of the mission, effectiveness, relevance and interdependence of academia and the economy. His professional experience as a Caribbeanwide entrepreneur with business acumen garnered from across the region suggests that he will continue the outstanding tradition of Chancellorship at the University.

His predecessors include Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone (1948-1971); Sir Hugh Wooding (1971-1974); Sir Allen Montgomery Lewis (1975-1989); Sir Shridath Ramphal (1989-2003); and Sir George Alleyne (2003-2017).

The official installation ceremony for Chancellor Bermudez is expected to be held in September 2017 at UWI St Augustine campus.

According to Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, "Our new chancellor has demonstrated through his many roles as a man conscious of his Caribbean identity and responsibility, and willingness to provide leadership to our people at home and beyond, in the entrepreneurial arena and elsewhere, that he is amply energised for the role of chancellor of our beloved UWI. He comes to office on the eve of our 70th anniversary during which the university community will be reflecting upon 70 years of service and leadership. It will be an honour for us to have him presiding over these activities."