Pelican Pride

University Song of The University of the West Indies "There is a Light" by Noel Dexter

Performed by the Cavite Chorale

Video produced for the UWI Cave Hill Graduation - Class of 2020 by Merville Lynch Productions.

The First 33 Students

The very first 33 students of the UWI started their academic careers at the then University College of the West Indies (now The UWI) on the Mona Campus (the first campus) on October 3, 1948. They were finalists from over 800 applicants and these 23 men and 10 women varied in age, background and experience. The first Faculty was Medicine and the first classrooms were wooden camp huts that once housed refugees of war from Gibraltar and Malta. 

These students graduated in 1954.

The Alumni Pledge

As a graduate of The University of the West Indies,

I commit myself to uphold the ideals and goals of my alma mater.


My conduct and voice shall reflect the commitment to excellence of the "Light Rising From the West", as I fulfill my social and professional responsibilities and serve my community and region.


I will strive to ensure the UWI's place as a Caribbean icon: the catalyst for Caribbean development and leadership. It is a legacy that I will proudly help build for future generations.


The UWI - First in our hearts and first in our region!



The pledge was created in 2005 by the Director of Alumni Relations - IAD, Celia Davidson Francis and the UWIAA Presidents to inspire every graduate, as well as to encourage unity and loyalty.

First UWI Graduates

January 13,1953

In 1949 the Faculty of Natural Sciences opened and the very first graduates of the then University College of the West Indies graduated in 1953:

  • Roy Hope Alexander Bailey (Jamaica) - the first person to receive a degree from The UWI 
  • Oliver James Claudious Francis (Jamaica) 
  • Winston Bancroft Le Vere Johnson (Jamaica) 
  • Carlton Lewis (Jamaica) 
  • Trevor Calthorpe McMorris (Jamaica) 
  • Kenneth Eugene Magnus (Jamaica) 
  • Gladstone Winston Fitz-Gerald Morgan (Jamaica) 
  • Joseph Cleophas Lamonte Drakes (Barbados) 
  • Talib Ali Omardeen (Trinidad) 
  • Kenneth Mervyn Tam (Trinidad) 
  • John William Whittingham (British Guiana)


"The problems of the West Indies will never be fully solved unless they are understood and investigated, to a far greater extent, in the West Indies by West Indians" - The Sub-Committee of the Asquith Commission otherwise known as the Irvine Committee

Send in your information if you found your life partner at The UWI - or come together later with the UWI bond in common. Be recognised by us as an official UWI Couple. Just send in your names, nationalities and marriage year - and also share a memory if you wish. 

Here are some folks who have already confirmed their UWI Couple status:

01

Sir George Alleyne and Lady Sylvan Alleyne

02

Dr. Gregory Bissessar and Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Trinidad & Tobago

03

Dr. Victor Boodhoo and Dr. Yvette Boodhoo

04

Prof. Compton Bourne and Pamela Bourne

05

Mr. Campbell Cleare and Mrs. Sharon Cleare

Bahamas and Jamaica

06

Mrs. Venetia Eck-Salazar and Mr. Aldo Salazar - 2007

07

Dr. Dawn Ewing and Dr. Rufus Ewing -1993

08

Mr. Jeremy Francis and Celia Davidson-Francis - 1995

Jamaica

09

Massiah, Pamela DaCamara & Karl and Dr. Pamela DaCamara-Massiah

10

Brian Morley and June Morley - 1997

11

Mr. Clive Pegus and Mrs. Ruth Pegus

12

Mr. Stephen Rampair and Mrs. Gillian Rampair

13

Prof. Eon Harris and Dr. C. Yvette Williams-Harris

14

Mr. Rex James and Mrs. Joyce James

15

Mr. Gregory Reid and Mrs. Rodina Reid

16

Dr. Ranford Ricketts and Dr. Hazel Shillingford-Ricketts

17

Mr. Brian Serville and Mrs. Ellen Serville

18

Shand, Howard and Mrs. Nickeisha Young Shand - 2013

Jamaica

19

Tilluckdharry, Lynette and Tilluckdharry, Roy and Lynette - 1974

"Roy resided in Chancellor Hall and Lynette in Mary Seacole Hall. Our story started during her freshman's week and continued through our years on campus. We got married in the August after Roy completed his MB,BS 1974".