2050 Starts with Us: International Undergraduate Student Conference & Entrepreneurship Exhibition Advances Student Research, Leadership, and Innovation

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Monday, July 6, 2026—Marking a historic milestone for The University of the West Indies (UWI), the inaugural International Undergraduate Student Leadership Conference and Entrepreneurship Exhibition (IUSLCEE) is scheduled to be held September 23–25, 2026, at The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. It is the first event of its kind to be hosted by The UWI and is organised by the Office of the Board for Undergraduate Studies. Registration and submissions are now open for this groundbreaking conference, convened under the theme “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s World, Towards 2050: Imagining Roles, Rights, Responsibilities and Relationships.” The event will unfold in a dynamic hybrid format, with both in-person sessions at The UWI Regional Headquarters in Jamaica and virtual participation for global and remote attendees.

Created to foster global citizenship, ignite student activism, and inspire leadership, the conference unites undergraduates across fields to showcase research, launch ventures, and share ideas that make a tangible difference.

“Opportunities for undergraduates to share academic insights and ventures are often limited to the classroom. This conference changes that, centring student voice and building bridges to graduate studies, industry, and community,” said Pro Vice-Chancellor, Undergraduate Studies and Conference Chairman, Professor Canute Thompson.

The programme spotlights student-led sessions, dynamic entrepreneurship showcases, mentorship opportunities, and lively panels that bridge university, industry, and community. Students can participate as presenters, attendees, or volunteers, sharing their passions and supporting the event onsite or online. Organisers are setting their sights on at least 200 participants and 30 student academic presentations, drawing voices from the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The IUSLCEE champions student-driven research, sparks innovation, and cultivates civic leadership, paving the way to graduate studies and meaningful careers. Undergraduates are invited to showcase their scholarship and startups and to help shape the roles, rights, responsibilities, and relationships of tomorrow. The conference also opens doors to invaluable networking, connecting students with mentors, industry leaders, and peers from around the world, laying the foundation for future collaborations and career growth.

Calls are currently open for research and scholarly paper submissions as well as entrepreneurship exhibition proposals. Submissions should include an abstract (up to 300 words) outlining the research topic, objectives, methodology, key findings or proposed venture. Presentations and exhibits should address the conference theme, with suggested topics including innovation for sustainable development, digital transformation, social entrepreneurship, student leadership, and community impact. The deadline for submission is September 3, 2026.

Conference registration is also open. The online registration form is available at: bit.ly/43FiYSX  

For more information on registering or submitting a scholarly abstract or start-up exhibition, contact Ms Karen Smith, Chair, Conference Secretariat at: E-mail:obusconferenceandexpo@uwi.edu; Telephone: 876-970-0244 or Website: https://www.uwi.edu/obus/iuslc