As U.S. immigration policies grow increasingly restrictive for foreign students, the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, is taking bold steps to reposition itself as a top-tier global destination for tertiary education. In light of recent visa suspensions and ideological vetting by U.S. authorities, UWI is ramping up efforts to attract international applicants, especially those now reconsidering their educational options.
Dr. Donovan Stanberry, Campus Registrar at UWI Mona, underscored the university’s renewed push to offer a viable and vibrant alternative to traditional destinations like the United States.
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“Jamaica is as good as the United States. You can come here. We have world-class education, and when you combine that with our rich culture, the friendliness of our people, and the good climate that we have here, this is an excellent choice,” he told The Gleaner.
UWI Mona’s international recruitment strategy is structured around three key targets: local students reconsidering overseas study due to geopolitical instability, the Jamaican diaspora—particularly in North America—and new international markets, including Mexico and African nations historically oriented toward U.S. institutions.
With U.S. student visa appointments paused and ideological scrutiny intensifying—particularly under conservative U.S. policy shifts—UWI sees an urgent opportunity to widen its global footprint. Stanberry revealed that university recruiters are already making direct outreach efforts, visiting schools and engaging prospective students. The university is also boosting its digital and social media presence, alongside targeted diaspora engagement campaigns.
“As we speak, we are actively preparing for our recruitment team to go into the United States, somewhere in the week of June. There is a whole series of diaspora events in the Philadelphia-New York belt,” he noted.
Recruitment efforts are also expanding in Africa and other emerging regions. According to Stanberry, the university is in the process of contracting agents to promote UWI in those territories.
“We are actively engaging recruiters all over Africa and in other countries; we are literally contracting them now to sell The University of the West Indies,” he added.
The University of the West Indies, Mona, currently hosts an international student population of approximately 10 percent. However, only 1 to 1.5 per cent of those students hail from outside the Caribbean. The university’s 2022–2027 strategic target is to enroll at least 1,000 international students. Stanberry assured that the campus is ready for this influx, with adequate resources and infrastructure already in place.
“We have capacity. I don’t think we need to do anything… we have over 4,000 rooms on campus, which are of the highest standards that anybody from anywhere could come and live.”
He emphasized that UWI Mona maintains a five per cent global university ranking and a reputation for research excellence. The campus also takes pride in offering a nurturing, culturally rich environment that fosters student success.
Professor Densil A. Williams, Principal of UWI Mona, echoed the institution’s commitment to global education in a recent statement.
“UWI has cultivated a legacy of producing graduates who not only excel in their chosen fields but also shape societies across the globe. We also have various programs, vibrant campus life, and a deeply rooted Caribbean heritage. The UWI, Mona offers international students a world-class education experience in a supportive and culturally rich environment,” he said.
An increase in international enrollment is also expected to improve the university’s financial standing. According to Stanberry, international students currently pay tuition fees of approximately US$15,000 per year for general undergraduate programs, compared to around US$2,510 for local students.
“The world over, in every university, international students pay more for tuition than local students. The same thing applies to the University of the West Indies. So the greater the proportion of your students that are international, the better you are in terms of revenue,” he explained.
As global education adapts to shifting immigration landscapes, UWI Mona is positioning itself not only as a backup option but as a first-choice institution—one that combines academic rigor with cultural depth, affordability, and safety. For international students looking beyond borders, the Caribbean may just be the future of higher education.
