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The UWI celebrates alumna Christine Kangaloo on becoming the seventh President of T&T

by March 21, 2023

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) celebrates with great pride alumna, Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo on her appointment to the esteemed office of President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Her Excellency, President Kangaloo, who was inaugurated on March 20, 2023 to serve as the seventh President of Trinidad and Tobago also has the honour of being only the second woman to hold the position. She was preceded by President Paula May Weekes, another UWI alumna and the first woman President of Trinidad and Tobago.

Extending congratulations on behalf of the regional UWI community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles noted, “Regionally and internationally our alumni continue to excel in every sphere of public life, and we celebrate the impact of our alumni every day. It is however a special occasion when one of our own ascends to the highest seats of leadership in the region. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary and reflect on our rich legacy of leading Caribbean development, this is the kind of occasion that reinforces the need for The UWI to continue rooted, ready and rising.”

President Kangaloo graduated from The UWI and the Hugh Wooding Law School and was admitted to practice Law in 1985. An accomplished legal mind and parliamentarian, she has made history before as the only person to serve both as President and Vice President of the Senate. Over her career, she has also served in a wide range of legislative and ministry portfolios including Opposition Senator, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of Legal Affairs and Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education. She has acted in the position of President on several occasions and was elected by a 48–22 secret ballot vote of the electoral college.

Since 2003, all Heads of State of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have had strong ties with The UWI. One former Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal and three alumni have served in this office.