The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Monday, November 29, 2021— The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has launched a redesigned, modern, and more efficient website for its central administrative operations—www.uwi.edu
Weeks before its launch, however, the design of the new website was entered in the 9th Annual Education Digital Marketing Awards; it emerged as a Gold Award winner, in the Institutional Website- Update/Refresh category from among 1000 entries from other colleges, universities and secondary schools around the world. The announcement came on November 1.
www.uwi.edu is The UWI’s system-wide or ‘Centre’ website that serves as the primary digital asset for the regional university, and an online gateway to its five campuses (Mona, Jamaica; St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; Cave Hill, Barbados; Five Islands, Antigua and Barbuda; and its Open Campus), as well as ten global centres with partnering institutions.
The website redesign project which began in 2019, was led by The UWI’s University Marketing & Communications Office and the Office of the Chief Information Officer, with general oversight by the University Registrar, Dr. Maurice D. Smith. According to University Director, Marketing & Communications, Dr. Rhonda Jaipaul-O’Garro, “It took on greater significance with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the increased technological dependence in meeting stakeholder needs and advancing the University’s ongoing digital transformation strategy. The website is also a critical tool in strengthening The UWI’s visibility and engagement as a top-ranked university, currently positioned among the best 1.5% in the world.”
In a purposely phased transition process, this initial redesign includes the launch of a new Homepage, as well as Admissions, About The UWI, Administration and Media Centre pages. Dr. Jaipaul-O’Garro explained, “Among the primary focus of these areas have been the design and development of a more modern, world-class, user-centred web presence, with more engaging, content that better supports the University’s mission and strategic business goals and objectives.”
The award for the redesigned website follows three international marketing awards won earlier this year for work produced by the University Marketing and Communications Office.
The Education Digital Marketing Awards (EDA) programme recognises the best educational websites, digital content, electronic communications, mobile media and social media. Over 1,000 entries were received from colleges, universities and secondary schools including Arizona State University, Florida International University, New York University, Texas A&M International University, and the University of Notre Dame.
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.
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 Open Campus, and 10 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). In the latest World University Rankings 2022, released in September 2021, The UWI moved up an impressive 94 places from last year. In the current global field of some 30,000 universities and elite research institutes, The UWI stands among the top 1.5%.
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, it is also in the top 20 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.
For more, visit www.uwi.edu.
