Nearly three dozen individuals connected to The University of the West Indies (The UWI) have earned places in the first-ever Resilient Global Digital Infrastructure (GDI) Fellowship, highlighting the university’s growing influence in the area of digital innovation.
According to a press release from the school, the inaugural fellowship has completed its selection process, with approximately half of the Caribbean participants having ties to The UWI. The successful group was chosen from hundreds of applicants across the region.
Among those selected are 16 current members of the university community, including 10 undergraduate students, three postgraduate students, and three faculty and staff members. An additional four UWI alumni have also secured places in the prestigious programme.
The fellowship is being delivered by the SubOptic Foundation in partnership with industry experts and researchers from the Global Digital Infrastructure programme at the University of California, Berkeley. It brings together participants from a broad range of disciplines—including engineering, law, public policy, economics, media and the social sciences—to examine how global digital infrastructure can be designed, governed and strengthened for the future.
The release says that a key objective of the initiative is to build expertise in strategically important regions such as the Caribbean, where reliable and resilient digital infrastructure is becoming increasingly essential.
Commenting on the achievement, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs at The UWI, Ms. Sandrea Maynard, said, “Digital infrastructure is foundational to the future of our region. It underpins teaching and learning, research, innovation, governance, resilience, and economic development. UWI’s strong representation in this fellowship reflects both the quality of our people and the importance of investing in the systems and skills that will shape the Caribbean’s digital future.”
She added that the strong showing by UWI participants demonstrates the institution’s commitment to ensuring Caribbean knowledge and perspectives help shape international discussions surrounding digital infrastructure, digital sovereignty, and sustainable development.
Following engagement with prospective fellows throughout the Caribbean, Research Associate at the University of California, Berkeley, Iago Bojczuk, praised the calibre of the regional participants.
“The enthusiasm and knowledge that the Fellows have brought to the programme so far speak to the immense potential that exists across the Caribbean region. Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to meaningful connectivity demonstrate what is possible when emerging leaders are empowered to shape the future of global digital infrastructure. Their engagement highlights that resilience must be grounded in equity and sustainability—central pillars of our Global Digital Infrastructure Certificate.”
The UWI noted that the SubOptic Foundation and the UC Berkeley Global Digital Infrastructure team will continue guiding participants through a structured programme featuring training, collaboration and applied research. The initiative is intended to strengthen resilient, inclusive and future-ready digital infrastructure systems throughout the Caribbean and other regions.
The institution also extended congratulations to all of the selected fellows and reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside international partners to advance regional leadership in digital infrastructure, innovation and technology.
