One of the longer-term objectives of the Canada Caribbean Institute is to encourage student and faculty exchanges. We recently helped to support an exchange between U of T and The UWI.
At the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), we are advancing our Strategic Plan by equipping students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to thrive in an interconnected world – strengthening identity development, leadership capacity, and cross-cultural competence. Ensuring Black students access these opportunities is essential to building inclusive pathways to success and preparing the next generation of globally engaged leaders.
Through our Black History Month Experiential Learning Initiative, 12 UTSC students participated in an immersive learning experience at University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica.
This year’s intentional expansion beyond North America offered students a truly international experience grounded in the history and culture of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Students engaged in meaningful dialogue with peers and faculty at UWI-Mona, discussed career pathways with Canadian consular officials, and explore Jamaica’s rich culture and geography. Experiential learning is essential to the UTSC student experience, and this trip offered students a dynamic co-curricular experience that complemented their lived experiences.
The generous support of the Canadian Caribbean Institute enabled us to reduce financial barriers for student participation, and, importantly, created a pathway for continued global engagement. As the second half of this project, UTSC will host a delegation from University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus in Fall 2026, strengthening reciprocal exchange and deepening global partnerships.
