The University of the West Indies (The UWI) celebrates Scotiabank’s commitment to extend title sponsorship of The UWI Toronto Benefit Gala for another five years. Mr. Brendan King, Sr. Vice President, Scotiabank International Banking made the announcement during a visit to The UWI ; Scotiabank’s pledge of CAD $75,000 annually, for a five-year cycle will go a long way in the support of the university’s students.
 
Over the past 10 years, The UWI and Scotiabank have enjoyed a fruitful relationship in which Scotiabank has been the lead sponsor for The UWI Toronto Benefit Gala. The annual event, which is the University’s largest fundraising event in Canada, provides scholarships to empower students with a world-class education that shapes future generations of the Caribbean people.
 
Mr. King met with Chancellor of The UWI, Mr Robert Bermudez, and toured the facilities and even interacted with some of the past and current beneficiaries of Scotiabank scholarships on some of the campuses.
 
In welcoming Mr King to the University’s Regional Headquarters in Jamaica, Executive Director of The UWI’s Institutional Advancement Division, Mrs. Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind drew attention to The UWI’s strategic intent to continue nurturing industry-academic partnerships, as these she said, not only yielded tremendous results for the parties involved but also for the wider Caribbean community. She noted in particular that the Toronto Benefit Gala, a fixture on the Toronto social calendar, enjoyed tremendous support from corporate Canada and had raised close to CAD $2 million and awarded 500 scholarships across the region since its inception.
 
Speaking during Mr King’s visit to The UWI Mona Campus, Professor Dale Webber shared that The UWI’s strategic goals are focused on access, alignment and agility. He said, “This commitment from Scotiabank to support our students will certainly improve the University’s capacity to provide access.” He added that it comes on the heels of donations from the University’s Chancellor, Mr Robert Bermudez of 1.5 million dollars and Prime Minister of Jamaica the Most Honourable Prime Minister Andrew Holness towards the end of 2019.

 “We are grateful that different entities are coming forward to support our students. It shows great confidence in them. This I believe will be instrumental for them to achieve their full potential.”

 Mr. King underscored Scotiabank’s commitment to the Caribbean region and developing its future leaders. “Our sponsorship will now include 15 Scotiabank Scholarships per year, designated to support students in need of financial aid.  Through these scholarships, more students will have the opportunity to experience the incredible benefits from higher education.”

The 2020 Gala awards ceremony boasts an impressive list of honourees: Dr. David Suzuki (Luminary Award); The Honourable Margaret McCain (G. Raymond Chang Award); Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited (Chancellor Award); Mr. Harold Braithwaite, Dr. Gervan Fearon, and Ms. Shastri Ramnath (Vice Chancellor Award). These women and men continue to inspire us and give light to aspiring students globally. In addition, a highlight of the evening will be the introduction of an inspiring student whose remarkable story of survival gives us all hope for a better future.

The patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala are Andrew Chang, and Brigette Chang Addorisio, Donnet Chin Loy Chang with Wesley J. Hall, as Honorary Patron.  The Event will be held at the Toronto Ritz Carlton. April 4, 2020.  For more information please visit www.uwitorontogala.org.