UWI entering closing stages of decolonisation, says vice chancellor

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI), while focusing on its economic development and global reputation over the last five years, has been simultaneously consistent in his efforts to decolonise the institution, moving it away from its British legal history to a truly independent and indigenous university.

In his latest report presentation to the university’s governing body, the University Council, for the 2023-2024 academic year, themed ‘Regionally Respected. Globally Celebrated’, Beckles revealed that the regional institution is finally entering the closing stages of this decolonisation.

Setting context, he shared highlights of The UWI’s history, noting its start as a college of the University of London in 1948, established on the recommendations of the Asquith Commission to set up colonial universities. He explained that the decolonisation process has been a lengthy one with several steps. It started with the 1962 breakaway from the University of London and the establishing of its current constitution as The UWI.

Beckles credits Sir Arthur Lewis, The UWI’s first vice chancellor, with executing this important first step.

Subsequently, significant moments in The UWI’s decolonisation process included bringing the university in line with the regional discourse around a shift away from the Privy Council and embracing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Mirroring the regional decision, Beckles moved to indigenise the visitor role at The UWI, ending the system where the British monarch served as the University Visitor, and, with the Privy Council, the court of appeal for student and staff matters. The move, supported by Britain, saw Justice Rolston Fitzherbert Nelson appointed the first Caribbean Visitor in 2019.

In 2024, following a process initiated for the university’s 75th anniversary, The UWI replaced its academic regalia, inherited from the University of London, with unique Caribbean designs more suitable to the tropical environment and consistent with the culture and spirit of the region.

Beckles made a case for the next steps, saying, “When this university was established in 1948, we were given the power to grant degrees by means of Royal Charter, and we issued degrees on behalf of the British monarchy. Theoretically and legally, that Royal Charter can be revoked – and, if it is revoked, The UWI will not exist.”

He referenced the terms of the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas which established CARICOM, “The UWI’s republican status is complete with judicial and intellectual independence. The final step in decolonisation is the power to grant degrees. We have approached the heads of government and have said this final decolonisation has to be the revocation of that Royal Charter. They have endorsed the transfer of that Royal Charter into an agreement embedded within the Treaty of Chaguaramas. This will reverse the existential threat and bring the degree-granting function within legal domestic arrangements and completely indigenise The UWI as a regional university.”

According to Beckles, the Treaty of Chaguaramas also declares The UWI an independent, regional university forever. The proposal submitted to the University Council for approval is to locate the legal entity within the region.

Beckles acknowledged the contributions of Laleta Davis-Mattis, former general counsel, The UWI, and Justice Adrian Saunders, outgoing president of the CCJ, who are both lead consultants to the process.

The complete 2023-2024 annual is available at www.uwi.edu/vcreport.