In the Community

A celebration of investment in education and its importance to the social and economic fabric of the Caribbean region.

That’s what took place last week when executives of the Sol Group and the University of the West Indies (UWI) gathered at the Hilton Barbados for a gala reception, in appreciation of the several outstanding achievers who have been awarded Sol Scholarships to pursue studies at the University.

Sol Group CEO, Gerard Cox toasted to a bright future for the Sol Scholars and announced that Sol would be renewing its three-year partnership agreement with UWI, thereby continuing to provide support to students of all three Campuses at Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine.

Cox said Sol felt it imperative that the company fulfil a major component of its corporate social responsibility mandate by giving back to regional communities. He said the Sol Scholarship agreement with UWI was a fitting opportunity and means of fulfilling that responsibility.

“Our scholarships have been a big success and so too has Sol’s relationship with UWI. We expect to enjoy a long and mutually beneficial partnership. To our scholars – you are bright, smart young people and we know are going to do very well. We hope that our Sol Scholarships have been able to help you in some small way. We urge you to go out and to prosper and as you do, to make the world a better place.”

Deputy Principal of UWI Cave Hill, Professor Pedro Welch urged Barbadians to take a more holistic approach when expressing concern about the management of tertiary education in the region.

He said quality tertiary education was critical to regional progress and business development, and lauded Sol for taking the initiative to work with UWI in providing scholarships to promising young students.

“We understand the pressures facing regional governments, and facing the Barbados government; but on the other side of the coin, we also understand that education is more than a matter of economics. Education has to do with assisting our people, it has to do with growth. The Sol Group succeeds because they are dealing with people; people buy your products, people develop your products, and people are important to your process. And in that context, we really urge those who have any concern about our educational system to move beyond the narrow emphasis placed only on economic issues, and look at the question of the human product and human resources.”

Gina Cummins, Brand, Communications & External Affairs Manager, said the Sol Scholars were the next generation of leading professionals and economic contributors.

“Development through education has always been a major pillar for Sol, and we take this opportunity to reiterate our tangible support to the development of the region’s human resource capacity. The partnership with the University of the West Indies is a demonstration of Sol’s commitment to a brighter future for the young people of the region. Together, we will work to ensure that our region’s people are given the opportunity to pursue studies which will be critical in fuelling regional development,” Cummins stated.

Sol and The University of the West Indies formally signed a three-year agreement in 2012, and have so far funded a significant number of high-performing students enrolled in Engineering, Social Sciences and Science and Technology Faculties across all three Campuses of the University of the West Indies.