Professor Sir Hilary Beckles’ tribute to Sir Alister

The following statement is issued by the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles in immediate response to news of the passing of Sir Alister McIntyre, who served as UWI Vice-Chancellor during the period 1988-1998.

Shocking is the news that our Sir Alister has passed. Larger than life in his long sojourn, it is difficult to embrace the finality of this existential fragility.  The people of the Caribbean, and their University of the West Indies—which he served as Vice-Chancellor—will not be impoverished by his transition because the phenomenal richness of his contributions to their growth and transformation will continue to yield development dividends deep into the future.

The love and respect we carry in our bosom for him will bloom a thousand blossoms.

To him I say, “Farewell brother, mentor, friend, and leader.  On behalf of your cherished UWI and the regional academy you guided and grew, go well into that bright light.”

To Sir Alister’s dear wife Marjorie, and children Arnold, Andrew, Helga and Nicholas, we offer deepest condolences.

Barbados Today

Barbados Today is the leading news service in Barbados. Founded in January 2010, with the mission to keep you informed, we aim to share news on matters of national interest, raise the level of public debate and help our readers make informed decisions in their daily lives. We do this by building confidence in our content through consistency. We strive for accuracy, accountability and maturity in our reporting at all times.

Recent Posts

Quiet restart at Frederick Smith

The atmosphere at the Frederick Smith Secondary School was reportedly “very sombre” as dozens of teachers and students, for the…

8 hours ago

PM unveils personal ‘Vision 2030s’

As the Government prepares to unveil its Vision 2020, Prime Minister  Mia Mottley revealed a personal vision for a Barbados…

8 hours ago

Brexit ‘could yield farm work bounty’

Brexit - Britain’s impending withdrawal from the European Union - could present the possibility of a farm labour programme of…

8 hours ago

UWI, Government agree public service training initiative

The Government and the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill have signed an agreement to improve the training…

8 hours ago

‘We need workers’ – Home Affairs Minister

With retirement and death rates taking more workers out of the labour force than birth rates can replace them, Government…

8 hours ago

Hazmat scare closes Springer Memorial

Springer Memorial Secondary School will be closed Friday to clean up toxic chemicals that leaked while in storage, apparently sickening…

8 hours ago