The University of the West Indies (UWI) is set to launch its first-of-its-kind global online graduate business school focused on leadership within the context of supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). After almost two years of negotiations and operational procedures last Wednesday in Barbados, at the UWI’s Global Campus, the University of the West Indies established the new International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) to respond to the need to educate and empower current and future activists and leaders within the framework of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
In acknowledging the vast significance of the program to the university, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Professor Hilary Beckles said the university has implemented “the largest and most transformative global project.” Adding to his acknowledgment, Professor Beckles said, “We have the keen support of the United Nations and its many relevant departments, including the United Nations University headquartered in Tokyo.” Adding also, “…the support of the Inter-American Development Bank, our financial partner, has been particularly supportive. Other universities, such as SUNY, Glasgow, Johannesburg, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, located at Columbia University and led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, are all engaged,” the Vice-Chancellor explained.
According to Professor Hilary Beckles, UWI’s new International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) is now the only university with such an enterprise. The idea of establishing a global online business school for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was born to leverage the University of the West Indies’ two decades of experience and excellence in online education through its Global Campus, its strategic focus on SDGs, and its global recognition as a leading procedure of knowledge on Small Island Development States (SIDS).
As a result of the introduction of Sustainable Development Goals, the University of the West Indies earned a perfect score of 100 % for its relationships to support the goals in pursuit of SDG degrees in Climate Studies, Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Public Health, and Informatics, Sustainability and Data Analytics, Sustainability Management, and more.
In addition to the introductory courses, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the UN advisor and global leader in sustainable development, will lead a masterclass on Sustainable Development Goals. International School of Development Justice (ISDJ) has named Professor Sachs among its Honorary Distinguished Fellows worldwide, who will contribute to the institute’s scholarship and teaching.
From Jan. 2025 onwards, the complete suite will comprise over a dozen online graduate programs and classes, ranging from one-year master’s degrees to shorter micro-credentials at the certificate and diploma levels.
