The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, WI. Tuesday, January 28, 2025—On behalf of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles shares the following tribute to Caribbean Renaissance Man and Professor Emeritus of History, Sir Fitzroy 'Roy' Augier on his passing.
The University of the West Indies extends sincere condolences to Lady Augier and their family on the passing of iconic Caribbean educator, administrator and historian Sir Fitzroy “Roy” Augier on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated his centenary, and the occasion afforded us a moment to reflect on his stellar contributions to how we, as a Caribbean people, began the process of nation-building and regional integration. He was a stalwart of both processes. I reflect also on the African proverb that says “until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be glorified”, and this is the narrative that Sir Roy and his colleagues changed forever with seminal historical works such as The Making of the West Indies; Report on the Rastafarian Movement; Sources of West Indian History and the UNESCO-sponsored project General History of the Caribbean.
At The UWI, his former students and colleagues stretch back to the 1950s when his teaching, writing and administration assisted the decolonisation of the academy and facilitated the rise of the Caribbean Examinations Council. Slight in frame, with a soft but resonant voice, his intellectual expositions about a region he loved made regionalists of many.
We shall remember the passion in his voice as he challenged the status quo on scholarly or administrative issues, his steadfastness on the importance of academic quality, and his inter-disciplinary knowledge, which constitutes the infrastructure on which The UWI and regional education delivery now rest.
Walk good Sir Roy, innings well played.
To Leila – Lady Augier, Richard, Simone and Kenneth, and the entire family, our hearts reach out in solidarity with you.
Hilary Beckles
Vice-Chancellor
End.
Notes to the Editor
Photo Captions
1. Sir Fitzroy "Roy" Augier addresses a UWI audience during the Chancellor's Medal ceremony in 2020, held at the University's Regional Headquarters in Jamaica.
2. Vice-Chancellor Beckles and Lady Beckles share a moment with Sir Fitzroy "Roy" Augier during the Chancellor's Medal ceremony in 2020 at The UWI’s Regional Headquarters in Jamaica.
About The University of the West Indies
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.
From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and 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, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The UWI offers over 800 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 Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.
The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old). The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. In 2024, The UWI launched a first-of-its-kind global online graduate business school focused on leadership within the context of supporting the SDGs.
Learn more at www.uwi.edu
