UWI principal Prof Clement Sankat says the Caribbean is witnessing a global food and energy crisis and massive shifts in the financial climate that threaten our way of life in the Caribbean.
He also said the tertiary institution must be prepared to rise to global problems facing the region by harnessing the intellectual potential of its people.
He made these comments while delivering the feature address at 60 (1948-2008) The Gala black-tie fund-raising dinner at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, on Friday night.
Sankat said, "And, so, tonight, if we are joyful, it is not because we fool ourselves. We know tomorrow will come. And we can only imagine what breed of difficult and interrelated challenges will confront our children.
"But while we celebrate this evening, we also embrace our responsibility, as the regional university, to prepare collaborative and innovative regional responses to the global problems of the new age."
Sankat said he felt continuous progress and growth could only be achieved "by harnessing the great intellectual power, research capacity and innovative potential of the region's premier tertiary education, the UWI, and leveraging all those resources to the service of the region whose people make our very existence and continued success possible."
He also said hope lay in the people of the Caribbean; assuming individual responsibility for its survival for another 60 years and beyond.
"Our great hope is you. It is for you this university has tirelessly laboured since its inception and it is you whom we will continue to serve faithfully for the next six decades."
He added, "One of the main goals this year has been to broaden, strengthen and to deepen our network of alliances with you, the people of this region, with our business and industry, governments, alumni and perhaps, most importantly, our children."
The attendees
Among those present were chancellor Sir George Alleyne, vice chancellor Prof E Nigel Lewis, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Christine Kangaloo and Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Fitzgerald Jeffrey and Prof Gurmohan Kochar.
University registrar William Iton, former deputy campus principal Prof Bridget Brereton, and Prof Winston Mellowes, Chair of the 60th Anniversary Committee and Prof Brian Copeland, recipient of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for his innovation on the G pan.
Though gone to the great beyond, Sankat made reference to the founding fathers like Sir Arthur Lewis, who was honoured with a series of commemorative lectures.
About the gala
The gala was the culmination of celebrations. The 60th anniversary also was marked with a church service at Cave Hill campus, Barbados, under the stewardship of principal Sir Hilary Beckles, and a gathering of the alumni at Mona, Jamaica, with principal Gordon Shirley at the helm.
It was also an opportunity to honour Diamond stakeholders with artwork produced by Jackie Hinkson. Prof Gurmohan Kochar chaired this aspect of the proceedings.
Among the recipients were Petrotrin Executive Chairman Dr Malcolm A Jones, NGC President Frank Look Kin, bpTT VP Communications and External Affairs Giselle Thompson and Republic Bank Ltd's Charmaine Caballero.
Each diamond stakeholder would have the opportunity to develop graduate programmes to the value of $600,000. Contributions will go towards scholarship donations and research equipment.
It also was an opportunity to thank emerald sponsors who would partner with UWI towards the funding, construction and outfitting of rooms in the hall of residence.
Ruby stakeholders would give a corporate gift of $6,000.
Alleyne delivered the vote of thanks in which he lauded the "magnificent obsession" of the founding fathers.
Entertainment was provided by the festival arts chorale UWI led by Jessel Murray and calypsonian Dr Leroy Calliste, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate.
