To mark its 75th anniversary (1948-2023), The University of the West Indies has made a call for indigenous entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to partner with the University on a UWI 75th Anniversary Signature Collection.
The initiative, part of the year-long celebration under the theme: UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising, aims to support the discovery and promotion of Caribbean creatives and entrepreneurs from among The UWI’s staff, student and alumni populations.
According to Dr. Maurice D. Smith, University Registrar & Chair of The UWI’s 75th Anniversary Central Planning Committee, “The Caribbean’s best is found among our students, staff and alumni and we want this to be an opportunity to showcase their work and of course to celebrate The UWI’s longstanding legacy as an entrepreneurial university, investing in the development of innovation and creativity among our entrepreneurs. The UWI network is wide, so the potential value of the brand partnerships for these SMEs is tremendous. We’re celebrating our student, staff and alumni entrepreneurship by creating this unique and remarkable opportunity for visibility across audiences within the campuses, the wider Caribbean region and diaspora markets.”
Products selected to comprise this suite of high-quality, attractive merchandise for sale as part of the commemorative activities places particular emphasis on indigenous and/or custom products produced locally. The UWI’s 75th Anniversary Signature Collection will be made available for purchase at University Bookshops across the regional University campuses.
UWI-affiliated entrepreneurs and SMEs interested in pitching for The UWI’s 75th Anniversary Signature Collection can learn more by visiting The UWI’s 75th Anniversary website www.uwi.edu/75. The official application form is available at https://bit.ly/UWI75thSignatureCollection.
The deadline date for expressions of interest is May 12, 2023.