Celebrating 15 Years of Supporting Caribbean Excellence in Education, Recognizing Seven Canadian Trailblazers, and Announcing New Patrons

This year’s UWI Toronto Benefit Awards Theme: Lighting the Way Together

 
 

For Immediate Release

January 29, 2024 (Toronto, ON) - The 15th Annual University of West Indies (UWI) Toronto Benefit Awards reveals the 2024 Honourees of its fundraiser in support of scholarships for Caribbean students. Set to take place on Saturday April 20th, 2024 at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 181 Wellington Street, Toronto at 5:30pm EST, the gala affair is hosted by The University of the West Indies (UWI), top ranked among the world’s best universities, with Scotiabank as Lead Sponsor for the 15th consecutive year. The UWI Toronto Benefit Awards has awarded 800 scholarships.  Primary sponsors for this year’s event include Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Sprott Inc., the Hibbert Family Foundation, and BDO.

 

Under this year’s theme, Lighting the Way Together, this not-to-be missed night on the Toronto social calendar cultivates a high-profile guestlist of corporate executives, public personalities and  community members committed to giving back to the Caribbean diaspora. 

Here are the 2024 Honourees:

  • Luminary Award: The Honourable Hugh L. Fraser, O.C., FCIArb., CollArb, OLY - Mediator, Arbitrator and Human Rights Activist

  • G. Raymond Chang Award: Mr. Raj Kothari, FCPA, FCA, MBA - Business Leader and Humanitarian

  • Chancellor’s Award: Air Canada - Global Organization serving the Caribbean

  • Vice Chancellor’s Award: Dr. Pamela Appelt, OD - Court of Canadian Citizenship Justice (Ret.), Humanitarian; Mr. Stanley J. Julien - Head, Special Accounts Management Unit - Canada, BMO Bank of Montreal, Business and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader; Mr. Deland Kamanga, CFA - Group Head, BMO Wealth Management, Financial Specialist and Philanthropist; Dr. Claudette McGowan - Chief Executive Officer, Protexxa, Global Cybersecurity Leader and Human Rights Activist

The Patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards are Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Mr. Andrew Chang, Ms. Brigette Chang, and joining them this year are Mr. Kevin Hibbert and Mrs. Ann-Marie Hibbert, both passionate supporters of higher education and the UWI Student Scholarship Fund. Mr. Hibbert was a recipient of the 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Award.  

Lighting the Way Together demonstrates how together, community donations, financial support and inspiration provides a lifeline to students eager to fulfill their educational dreams. 

Media Availability: 6:00pm - 6:30pm - 4th Floor (Honourees, Patrons and select VIPs)

MEDIA ACCREDITATION HERE

Red Carpet Cocktail Hour - 5:30pm - 7:00pm - 2nd Floor

Dinner, Awards Program, Entertainment - 7:00pm - 10:00pm - 2nd Floor

Air Canada Lyme (After Party) - 10:00pm - Midnight

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For all Media Inquiries: Fennella Bruce | Fennella@fkbmedia.com | 647.290.7610

About The UWI

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region. In 75 years, the University of the West Indies has given birth to hundreds of brilliant leaders across dozens of sectors, worldwide.  Many have gone on to enrich the Caribbean Diasporas, including Canada which has benefited greatly.  

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 800 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 Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

Ranked among the top universities in the world, by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education, The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists. In 2020, it earned ‘Triple 1st’ rankings—topping the Caribbean; and in the top in the tables for Latin America and the Caribbean, and global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the top universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. 

Fennella Bruce