Kingston, Jamaica – Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, has issued an urgent appeal to Caribbean governments to transfer the ownership of lands currently occupied by the university to UWI. This, he argued, is a critical step needed to enhance the institution’s financial sustainability and operational autonomy in the wake of declining public and international support.
Speaking at UWI’s annual council meeting, Sir Hilary made an impassioned plea:
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“All we’re asking now is to untie our hands. Transfer these lands on which we operate to the university freehold so we can have that asset value on our balance sheet.”
The UWI, which operates campuses in five Caribbean countries, has traditionally relied on state funding and international assistance to support its operations. However, Sir Hilary revealed that government subventions have recently fallen to below 50 percent of the university’s funding needs. The financial pressure has been further compounded by the withdrawal of support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in early 2025, a decision made under the current Trump administration.
As a result, the university is now required to independently source at least 50 percent of its operational budget moving forward.
Although specific operational figures were not disclosed, Sir Hilary indicated that UWI is actively seeking between US$35 million and US$40 million annually in research grants. Currently, the university secures between US$20 million and US$25 million, leaving a significant funding gap that must be bridged to sustain and expand its mission.
Sir Hilary emphasized that converting UWI’s long-held lease arrangements into full ownership would be a transformative financial move. He noted that while the university pays nominal fees to lease the lands, it lacks the ability to use these properties as balance sheet assets or leverage them for commercial investment.
Drawing comparisons with top-tier institutions abroad, he said:
“All of those universities in North America that you look at and celebrate, we say look at them, look at the endowments they have, look at their assets, their cash flow… those universities have the resources and why? Because they are what we call land grant universities.”
He specifically cited Cornell University, where he also serves as a Distinguished Professor in Residence, noting that it owns over 80,000 acres of land gifted by the U.S. government. This land, he explained, underpins a host of income-generating ventures, from industrial parks and manufacturing zones to retail developments and investment partnerships.
“That is the land which is an asset on their balance sheet; that is their leverage to develop commercial products,” he said. “That is how those universities prosper.”
Sir Hilary insisted that The UWI has proven itself as a responsible and capable steward of public resources over its 77-year history. The university, he noted, has evolved from a small college into a globally respected institution of higher learning, research, and innovation.
“We have done the heavy lifting. We have taken this university from a small, little college to a global, elite university as proof of our responsibility, as proof of our intergenerational leadership,” he asserted.
The Vice-Chancellor made it clear that the university is not seeking an unregulated handover of land. Rather, he proposed that governments remain actively involved through mechanisms that ensure oversight and mutual accountability.
“We’re not asking the government to just transfer it and walk away; transfer it in such a way that if you are insecure about whatever we do with those lands, we will enter into a mechanism where the governments will be at the table,” he said.
Despite the fiscal challenges, Sir Hilary clarified that UWI continues to receive support from several international donors. The European Union remains the single largest source of research funding for the institution. Additionally, fundraising efforts by the UWI Global Alumni network—through annual galas held in New York, Toronto, and, more recently, London—contribute vital support.
Moreover, UWI operates small-scale manufacturing units and commercial initiatives intended to supplement its revenues. However, Sir Hilary underscored that such efforts pale in comparison to the financial benefits that could be unlocked through land ownership.
“We have written to all of the governments asking them to please consider the transfer of these campus lands to the university freehold,” Sir Hilary disclosed.
Concluding his remarks with a sense of urgency, he reiterated the university’s readiness to take the next step in its financial evolution, if only given the tools to do so:
“Untie our hands, let us now enter into this phase so that we can join our North American colleagues in planning the next stage of our financial future.”
