2050 Starts with Us: International Undergraduate Student Conference & Entrepreneurship Exhibition Advances Student Research, Leadership, and Innovation
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:[email protected]; Telephone: 876-970-0244 or Website: https://www.uwi.edu/obus/iuslc
END
About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.
Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.
Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE’s prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.
The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
