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Norman Sabga, Raising Critical Funds for Caribbean Students
The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, W.I.,Friday 26 April 2026-The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) hosted its 29th Annual “The Legacy Continues” Awards Gala on Friday evening at 583 Park Avenue, NY. The Foundation honoured Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, recipient of AFUWI’s prestigious Legacy Award, and Dr. Norman Sabga, Chairman of the ANSA McAL conglomerate, recipient of Chancellor’s Award Excellence in Global Business Leadership Award among it 2026 laureates. The Gala united leaders, philanthropists, and members of the Caribbean diaspora to expand access to higher education across the region.
AFUWI’s premier fundraising event raised funds to provide scholarships and financial assistance to academically talented Caribbean students facing severe economic hardship. This year, many of whom have been impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. Proceeds will directly support students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), ensuring financial barriers do not derail their academic aspirations.
The evening recognised an exceptional cohort of global leaders advancing education, public service, healthcare, business, and digital innovation. Other honourees included Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University; Dr. Wayne J. Riley, President of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; Camille Joseph-Goldman, Group Vice President of State Government Affairs at Charter Communications; Jacky Wright, global technology executive and board director; Anthony Belinfanti and Gregory Belinfanti, honoured for their generational commitment to educational philanthropy; and Dr. Kevon Rhiney, recipient of the UWI Alumni Associations – NY Chapter Pelican Award for distinguished geography research.
Ann-Marie Grant, Executive Director of AFUWI, underscored the urgency of the Foundation’s mission, stating, “At a time when thousands of students face uncertainty due to circumstances beyond their control, our collective responsibility is clear. Education remains the most powerful and enduring pathway to recovery, resilience, and national development. This support ensures that the promise is not lost.”
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, reinforced this message, noting, “Our numbers have dropped across our five campuses, from 50,000 students to 48,000 students. This is of concern to us. Our analysis has shown that the primary cause of this is poverty—an existential threat. Many students have not been able to complete their degrees. The campuses have reported that some students have had to withdraw from their programmes because they could not afford to continue…And this is why this Gala has been so important to all of us.”
The Gala also highlighted the ongoing impact of Hurricane Melissa, which affected an estimated 1.6 million people across Jamaica, damaging homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. With many UWI students among those hardest hit, AFUWI has prioritised emergency financial assistance alongside its core scholarship program to help students remain enrolled and complete their studies.
For nearly three decades, AFUWI has mobilised philanthropic investment in Caribbean higher education. Over the past 10 years alone, the Foundation has awarded more than 700 scholarships and facilitated in-kind donations totalling over US$8 million, including books, medical supplies, and technology resources.
The evening was a powerful demonstration of diaspora engagement, with leaders from the corporate, academic, diplomatic, and community sectors investing in the region’s future. Guests were reminded that supporting Caribbean education is not philanthropy at a distance, but a strategic investment in shared global prosperity.
AFUWI invites individuals, corporations, and partners to continue supporting its mission to expand access to higher education and strengthen communities across the Caribbean.
For more information or to make a contribution, please visit www.afuwi.org.
End.
Notes to the Editor
High resolution photos can be accessed here.
Photo Captions
About AFUWI
The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting The University of the West Indies (UWI), the premier higher education institution serving 17 English-speaking Caribbean countries. AFUWI mobilizes philanthropic support to provide scholarships and critical resources to academically talented students facing financial barriers, advancing educational access, workforce development, and national growth across the region.
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.
Norman Sabga, Raising Critical Funds for Caribbean Students
The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, W.I.,Friday 26 April 2026-The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) hosted its 29th Annual “The Legacy Continues” Awards Gala on Friday evening at 583 Park Avenue, NY. The Foundation honoured Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, recipient of AFUWI’s prestigious Legacy Award, and Dr. Norman Sabga, Chairman of the ANSA McAL conglomerate, recipient of Chancellor’s Award Excellence in Global Business Leadership Award among it 2026 laureates. The Gala united leaders, philanthropists, and members of the Caribbean diaspora to expand access to higher education across the region.
AFUWI’s premier fundraising event raised funds to provide scholarships and financial assistance to academically talented Caribbean students facing severe economic hardship. This year, many of whom have been impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. Proceeds will directly support students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), ensuring financial barriers do not derail their academic aspirations.
The evening recognised an exceptional cohort of global leaders advancing education, public service, healthcare, business, and digital innovation. Other honourees included Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University; Dr. Wayne J. Riley, President of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; Camille Joseph-Goldman, Group Vice President of State Government Affairs at Charter Communications; Jacky Wright, global technology executive and board director; Anthony Belinfanti and Gregory Belinfanti, honoured for their generational commitment to educational philanthropy; and Dr. Kevon Rhiney, recipient of the UWI Alumni Associations – NY Chapter Pelican Award for distinguished geography research.
Ann-Marie Grant, Executive Director of AFUWI, underscored the urgency of the Foundation’s mission, stating, “At a time when thousands of students face uncertainty due to circumstances beyond their control, our collective responsibility is clear. Education remains the most powerful and enduring pathway to recovery, resilience, and national development. This support ensures that the promise is not lost.”
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, reinforced this message, noting, “Our numbers have dropped across our five campuses, from 50,000 students to 48,000 students. This is of concern to us. Our analysis has shown that the primary cause of this is poverty—an existential threat. Many students have not been able to complete their degrees. The campuses have reported that some students have had to withdraw from their programmes because they could not afford to continue…And this is why this Gala has been so important to all of us.”
The Gala also highlighted the ongoing impact of Hurricane Melissa, which affected an estimated 1.6 million people across Jamaica, damaging homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. With many UWI students among those hardest hit, AFUWI has prioritised emergency financial assistance alongside its core scholarship program to help students remain enrolled and complete their studies.
For nearly three decades, AFUWI has mobilised philanthropic investment in Caribbean higher education. Over the past 10 years alone, the Foundation has awarded more than 700 scholarships and facilitated in-kind donations totalling over US$8 million, including books, medical supplies, and technology resources.
The evening was a powerful demonstration of diaspora engagement, with leaders from the corporate, academic, diplomatic, and community sectors investing in the region’s future. Guests were reminded that supporting Caribbean education is not philanthropy at a distance, but a strategic investment in shared global prosperity.
AFUWI invites individuals, corporations, and partners to continue supporting its mission to expand access to higher education and strengthen communities across the Caribbean.
For more information or to make a contribution, please visit www.afuwi.org.
End.
Notes to the Editor
High resolution photos can be accessed here.
Photo Captions
About AFUWI
The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting The University of the West Indies (UWI), the premier higher education institution serving 17 English-speaking Caribbean countries. AFUWI mobilizes philanthropic support to provide scholarships and critical resources to academically talented students facing financial barriers, advancing educational access, workforce development, and national growth across the region.
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.
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making
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