Universities Caribbean’s communique regarding COVID-19 pandemic

Dear Members and Partner Associations of Universities Caribbean,

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is currently affecting the world, including our region, Universities Caribbean stands in solidarity with you, our valued members.

Like all other sectors, the higher education sector is severely impacted, more so with wide scale institution closures across the region in an effort to help our countries contain the spread of this virus.

However, the physical closure of our institutions by no means should signify the discontinuation of learning.

In fact, now more than ever, we are forced to show our agility in responding to this crisis.

Fortunately, we have technology on our side and thus the impact on the sector can be minimized through the use of various online and distance learning platforms available to our population.

As a region characterized by lack of resources, we are encouraged to use inclusion and equity as guiding principles when planning responses, recognizing that school closures hit vulnerable learners the hardest.

We need to ensure that all our students will be able to access the relevant resources necessary for the continuation of learning.

As the organization of Caribbean Universities and Research Institutes, Universities Caribbean expresses support to its membership during this difficult time.

During this period, we are urged to support each other by sharing approaches and best practices to ensure the continuity of learning during school closures.

Be assured that we will be present for post-crisis dialogue within our academic communities.

This is an opportunity for us to come together not only to address the immediate educational consequences of this unprecedented crisis, but to build up the longer-term resilience of education systems in the region.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles,
President of Universities Caribbean
Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (The UWI)