By Faith Edwards
THE University of the West Indies (UWI) has stated that the Debe South Campus will not house the Faculty of Law as originally planned.
Instead it will host the new Global School of Medicine (GSM), a move the university calls “strategic and sustainable,” UWI stated in a press release on Wednesday.
UWI responded to renewed public interest and media questions surrounding the operations and future of the South Campus, which has remained largely underutilised since construction ended in 2019.
Originally, the site was earmarked to become the base for the Faculty of Law. However, in 2017, staff and students protested the proposed relocation from the St Augustine Campus to Debe. This led to a 2018 decision by then UWI administrators to shelve those plans entirely.
Instead, years of internal consultation and strategic planning followed, resulting in a new main direction, the creation of the Global School of Medicine. The GSM will primarily serve international students and position the South Campus as a medical education hub.
It stated that the decision was formally approved by the University Council in 2021 and reaffirmed by UWI Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles during the Council’s May 2025 meeting.
According to the university, the new direction aligns with its Triple ‘A’ Strategy, Access, Alignment and Agility, and aims to boost foreign exchange, medical services, and educational access, especially for students in South and Central Trinidad.
It added that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the South Campus was used as a step-down facility for recovering patients. When it was returned to UWI in May 2022, assessments revealed extensive deterioration that required urgent repairs.
UWI said it had since submitted several funding requests to the government to support campus rehabilitation.
Despite financial limitations, UWI began critical repairs on the main academic building, students’ union, health facility, auditorium/moot court, cafeteria, and gymnasium.
It stated that these areas are now reportedly restored to a “high standard” and ready for use, furniture and IT equipment have also been installed.
UWI also stated that some areas, such as the faculty building, sports courts, cricket pavilion and swimming pool, are still awaiting restoration. Landscaping work is also ongoing, with contracts currently at the tender stage.
UWI officials toured the South Campus on Wednesday, and several photographs of the facilities were released following the visit. The university clarified that the walkthrough was a private meeting, but a formal media tour is being planned.
It stated that the South Campus is also expected to support blended learning programmes from multiple faculties including Science and Technology, Engineering, Food and Agriculture, Humanities and Education, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
It added that UWI ROYTEC will be housed at the campus. While there are no immediate plans to relocate the Faculty of Law, UWI added that it remains open to discussions with the government regarding its inclusion in the academic offerings at the South Campus.
UWI said it has already cut approximately $300 million in operational costs over the years and is pursuing entrepreneurial ventures to increase financial sustainability. Still, government support is seen as critical to fully operationalise the campus.
The university reiterated its commitment to stakeholder engagement, transparency, and maximising the value of its physical assets for national and regional benefit.
