The Government of Anguilla, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI), this week hosted the Opening Ceremony of the University’s Technical Advisory Committees (TACs). The TACs, together with the Grants Committees, form a cornerstone of UWI’s financial governance framework. The committees comprise Permanent Secretaries from Ministries of Finance and Ministries responsible for tertiary education across contributing countries, representatives from the Ministry of Health, Jamaica, the University Hospital of the West Indies, the Vice-Chancellor of UWI, and other senior government officials.
The Opening Ceremony was held on Tuesday, 3rd March, as a hybrid event. Anguilla’s delegates gathered at the newly refurbished Teachers’ Resource Centre while colleagues joined online from fifteen of the seventeen contributing countries. The ceremony was chaired by Mrs. Andrea McNish, University Bursar and Chief Financial Officer of UWI.
Proceedings began with an invocation delivered by the Right Reverend Canon Reid Simon, Parish Priest of the Pro-Cathedral and Parish of St Mary, Anguilla. Delegates were then welcomed by Dr Bonnie Richardson Lake, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development and Education.
Remarks were delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles, who reminded delegates that the objective of the TACs is to secure adequate financing for the university’s operations. He also highlighted the institution’s strong global standing, noting that the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 placed UWI among the top 3.6% of the 2,191 universities from 115 countries included in the assessment. Professor Beckles emphasized that while UWI is an elite university, it is not elitist, describing it as a public institution committed to expanding democracy, access and development through education and research across the region.
The Honourable Minister for Social Development and Education, Shellya Rogers-Webster, also addressed the gathering. She noted that UWI plays an important role in shaping Anguilla’s human resources and emphasized the importance of ensuring that the University’s “academic programmes remain rigorous, relevant and aligned with regional priorities and global realities.” Minister Rogers-Webster further observed that education must go beyond preparation for employment. She stressed that “quality assurance and strategic planning are more important than ever” so that UWI can integrate innovation, critical thinking and resilience into its programmes—skills essential for maintaining the competitiveness of small island states such as Anguilla.
The keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Premier of Anguilla, Cora Richardson-Hodge. The Premier described the TAC meetings as “working sessions of consequence…[that] affect national capacity, regional competitiveness and the future we are building for our people.” She emphasized that small island territories such as Anguilla understand clearly that “small does not mean insignificant.” The Premier explained that small states face significant pressures from economic uncertainty, climate vulnerability and rapid technological change, and noted that “our response has always been regional cooperation.”
The Premier also encouraged regional governments to meet their financial commitments to UWI, highlighting that the university’s partnership with governments extends beyond teaching to include research, policy support, consultancy and technical expertise that help small administrations address complex challenges. She concluded by inviting delegates to reflect on several guiding questions during their deliberations: “What does the region most need from its University at this point? How do we protect quality while pursuing efficiency? And how do we deepen regional solidarity in practical and measurable ways?”
The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Cherise Gumbs, Education Officer for Secondary and Tertiary Education.
The ceremony also featured contributions from Anguilla’s youth, underscoring the importance of investing in the next generation. Students from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) showcased their talents through two performances. The school’s Expressive Edge Drama Club presented a dramatization of a poem by Mrs. Patricia Adams from her collection Windows to Yesteryear, while the ALHCS Steel Orchestra concluded the ceremony with an energetic pan medley that celebrated the creativity and promise of Anguilla’s young people.