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For nearly two decades, this remarkable event has brought together a community united by a shared belief — that no student should be left behind, that the “impossible dream” can become reality, and that bold, courageous, and compassionate leadership lights the path to a brighter future.

This year’s theme, Empowering Excellence, Transforming Futures, reflects the enduring promise of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting and nurturing the next generation of Caribbean leaders through access to education and opportunity.

I salute The University of the West Indies, a truly global institution, for its vision in establishing this extraordinary initiative eighteen years ago. It is both an honour and a privilege to once again serve as a Patron of this trail blazing and standard bearing event.

Over the past 17 years, we have proudly awarded more than 1,200 scholarships to deserving students and honoured 125 exceptional individuals and organizations whose leadership and service have enriched our communities. These achievements would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors, the loyalty of our guests, and the unwavering dedication of our committee, volunteers, and supporters, under the stellar leadership of our Chair, Elizabeth Buchanan Hind. Thank you for helping to transform this vision into a lasting legacy.

A special and heartfelt thank you goes to Scotiabank, our Lead Sponsor, and to our numerous valued sponsors who have joined mein leading this charge.  Your exceptional generosity and leadership have ensured that financial barriers do not stand in the way of talented students pursuing their dreams. Your support extends far beyond individual scholarship recipients — it uplifts families, strengthens communities, advances countries, and contributes to the continued development of the Caribbean region.

As we continue to empower excellence and transform futures, I am reminded of the timeless words of the late Professor Rex Nettleford, Vice-Chancellor Emeritus of The University of the West Indies:

“My own interest is largely the full quest of maximizing the resources of the human being, our creative imagination, our creative intellect. I believe very strongly that in the final analysis, it is the capacity of the human being to act, to think, to do, that will make anything work.”

Those words continue to inspire our mission and reaffirm our belief that investing in human potential is the most powerful investment we can make.

I warmly invite you to join us at the 18th UWI Toronto Benefit Awards on April 24, 2027. Together, we will continue to open doors, create opportunities, and transform the lives of deserving students through the gift of education.

Thank you for your generosity, your partnership, and for being a beacon of hope for students whose aspirations depend on the support of caring individuals like you.

With deepest gratitude,

Donette Chin-Loy Chang, LLD (Honoris Causa), OOnt.
Patron, UWI Toronto Benefit Awards”